Last Updated on June 27, 2024

Last year, the industry had to skip many usual promotional events since the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers’ Guild were on strike. Press for films being showcased at film festivals would not feature any actors, and for an event such as San Diego’s Comic-Con International, the panels normally reserved for big movie reveals would become an unforeseen barren wasteland with many canceled appearances. This included panels for Dune: Part Two, The Boys spin-off series Gen V, Amazon’s The Wheel of Time, Lionsgate’s upcoming The Strangers trilogy, and more. This year, things are getting back in full swing as Deadline now reports that Marvel Studios will be making their way back to the illustrious Hall H at Comic-Con, where the studio has reigned for so long during the Infinity Saga. San Diego Comic-Con runs from July 25-28, and Marvel usually comes in at the tail end on the second to last day. The Marvel label still made an appearance at the event last year. However, it was on the trade floor with attention being paid to the comics with artists and writers in tow for autographs and pictures.

The scheduled panel this year falls on the opening weekend of one of the year’s most anticipated movies and the only superhero film to be released — Deadpool & Wolverine. Although that film opens the same weekend, it shouldn’t be overlooked that Marvel would take the opportunity to squeeze in some final promotion for the sequel along with some bonuses.

Earlier at CinemaCon, audiences already got to see some first looks at Anthony Mackie in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World, which is slated to release next February, so some new footage from that entry may be in the cards. Additionally, Florence Pugh has teased her fans on her social media from the set of Thunderbolts, so it’s possible some new footage or images may be released during this panel.

Other projects such as the Marvel series Wonder Man and Iron Heart with Wakanda Forever‘s Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) have completed shooting, which may mean we might get sneak peeks at those projects. Marvel has also been making waves with the development of The Fantastic Four. Perhaps some of those associated with the upcoming reboot will make appearances or concept art could be revealed.

Whatever may show, stay tuned to this site as JoBlo will be in attendance for all the newly released information!

About the Author

E.J. is a News Editor at JoBlo, as well as a Video Editor, Writer, and Narrator for some of the movie retrospectives on our JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, including Reel Action, Revisited and some of the Top 10 lists. He is a graduate of the film program at Missouri Western State University with concentrations in performance, writing, editing and directing.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - All-In Nutritionals LLC, creators of highly effective and potent natural supplements, such as Ancient Energy, Bitter Apricot Kernels, EZ Plant Protein, and Magnesium Glycinate Plus, announced today the addition of another groundbreaking product. They have stepped into the Hydrogen Water arena and have launched their portable, rechargeable hydrogen water generator.  

Hydrogen Water has become quite popular on social networks and in the media. It has also created a significant amount of chatter in the advanced circles of natural health enthusiasts. So much so that, earlier this year, PubMed published an article titled, “Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax?” This article highlighted a systematic review that was conducted to determine if believed health benefits, such as its antioxidant properties, are valid. Although further research is needed, the findings of this review were very favorable.  

Lindsey Duncan, CEO of All-In Nutritionals, agrees with the favorable findings. “Pure and/or alkaline water is great for you and has many benefits, but it’s still deficient in some very important areas. Hydrogen water is a revolutionary way to stay hydrated and feel great. I personally have been drinking hydrogen water for a couple of years now and am proud to say that All-In Nutritionals is current with the most recent natural wellness innovative science. Our new Hydro Bottle + is a perfect example of this.”  

What exactly is Hydrogen Water?  Simply put, hydrogen water is water that has been infused with molecular hydrogen. This is also known as H2 gas, which is completely natural. By adding hydrogen to water, it may help to increase the health benefits by its potential antioxidant properties, among other promising benefits. In addition, hydrogen molecules are extremely small, which makes them more easily absorbed into the body’s cells and tissues.  

Duncan states that while the science of hydrogen water is progressive, the process is quite simple. “This is an electron process where the water is split into hydrogen and water gases. Hydrogen can potentially act as an antioxidant by neutralizing harmful free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals cause oxidative stress which is linked to premature aging and a whole host of health issues. Molecular hydrogen may potentially target the most harmful free radicals selectively and therefore reduce oxidative stress.”

Due to the increased popularity and awareness of hydrogen water, many options for obtaining this water are currently on the market, such as dissolvable hydrogen tablets, drops, and various hydrogen generators.

Duncan explained why All-In Nutritionals Hydro Bottle + is a standout product as it relates to competitors’ products.

“There are a lot of hydrogen water products on the market right now. Many of these are making all kinds of health claims and are extremely expensive. I’ve seen a single hydrogen generator for as much as $400. Several reports also suggest that some hydrogen generator brands may generate chlorine. We have worked hard for over a year to create a pure and clean hydrogen generator that is extremely effective, simple to use, portable, budget-friendly, and produces quality hydrogen water.”

Duncan went on to explain how the efficacy of the Hydro Bottle + can be assessed and guaranteed.  

“Our hydrogen generator does not generate chlorine and every single bottle can be tested out with a basic ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) meter. If you do this simple test, which measures water’s oxidizing level, you will see amazing ORP levels, which demonstrates that our product contains exactly what we promise it does - high concentration levels of hydrogen.”  

Duncan further stated, “We are proud to say that every person who has tried Hydro Bottle + has reported one or more positive changes and benefits. People are literally feeling their bodies become more hydrated.”

“Our goal with the Hydro Bottle was to make it affordable, easy to use, versatile and adaptable to any lifestyle, and extremely efficient and effective. I am confident in saying we accomplished our goal. I would even say we surpassed it,” Duncan concluded. The Hydro Bottle + can currently be purchased at a discounted price of $43.96. Normally priced at $54.95.

About All-In NutritionalsFounded and created by Master Formulator, Herbalist, Doctor of Naturopathy, and Certified Nutritionist, Lindsey Duncan, All-In Nutritionals is the leading provider of all-natural, pure, clinically studied and ingredient-tested supplements to aid people in nourishing, balancing, cleansing, and supporting the human body. All-In Nutritionals uses organic, wild-harvested, non-GMO ingredients that are grown and harvested in their natural state and are masterfully formulated for both long-term and short-term success. All products are manufactured in All-In Nutritionals' pristine and FDA and NSF-registered manufacturing facility.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Wild Roots is thrilled to announce the launch of Wild Roots Handcrafted Wines, a new lineup that includes Willamette Valley Rosé, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. This exciting expansion into winemaking has been spearheaded by the brand's new President, Ryan Harris, a wine industry veteran of more than 25 years.

The Wild Roots journey began in 2012 with a simple idea: capturing the true essence of the Pacific Northwest in every bottle. The founders knew there were few places in the world that produced fruit as flavorful and abundant as Oregon’s Willamette Valley. First inspired by local berries, Wild Roots Raspberry and Marionberry infused vodkas were launched, quickly becoming beloved Oregon favorites. The company has continued to expand over the past 10 years, innovating and adapting to the ever-changing alcohol industry.

Ryan Harris, President of Wild Roots, expressed his enthusiasm about joining the team and the new wine line, stating, "We are proud to expand Wild Roots' offerings to meet our consumers at any occasion while maintaining our true-to-the-fruit approach. It is a natural next step for such an innovative company.”

Wild Roots Handcrafted Wines will first be available exclusively through the Wild Roots x Wyld CBD Tasting Room & Bottle Shop in Washington Square Mall and Cascade Spirits Tasting Room in Sisters, Oregon, and special events, with plans for expanded distribution in the coming months. Wild Roots customers will also get to connect with the brand further by signing up for a wine club membership.

ABOUT WILD ROOTS

Wild Roots is dedicated to creating exceptional spirits and wines using real, natural ingredients. Established in 2012 in Sisters, Oregon, Wild Roots has built a reputation for quality and innovation in the beverage industry. Learn more at wildrootsspirits.com or follow @wildrootsspirits on Instagram and Facebook.

Pompa Program

PARK CITY, Utah, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - In his detailed blog titled "What Causes Acne - Hormone Dysregulation And Epigenetics," Dr. Daniel Pompa, founder of the Pompa Program, the world leader in cellular detox and cellular healing, references studies on what causes acne on the core level.

Genetic factors play a significant role in the development and severity of acne. Recent research has shown that certain genetic variations affect the production and sensitivity of hormones responsible for triggering acne. Specifically, genes related to immune system regulation and hormone production have been found to be closely linked with acne occurrence. In short, acne is an immune and endocrine system dysfunction.

Recent research has revealed a strong connection between epigenetic changes and the function of sebaceous glands. Epigenetic modifications disrupt these glands, leading to the overproduction of sebum.

One particular study found that individuals with severe acne had higher levels of DNA methylation in their skin cells compared to those with clear skin. This means that certain genes involved in regulating sebum production were turned off or suppressed in those with acne, causing an imbalance in sebum production and leading to breakouts.

Research has shown that certain EDCs, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA),  disrupt the production of sebum and trigger inflammation in the skin. This combination drives acne symptoms because they trigger hormone dysfunction and epigenetic changes.

Studies have also shown that exposure to pesticides has been linked to a weakened immune system, contributing to excessive sebum production. It's important to be aware of the harm that pesticides cause and strive for organic and pesticide-free options whenever possible.

Visit our blog for details and to read more about research studies on what causes acne. Also visit https://pompaprogram.com/ to find out more about the Pompa Program.

About Pompa Program

In 2020, Pompa Program was launched as a family-run business to transform lives by helping clients and others in our global community restore the extraordinary healing potential God gave to the human body.

Information provided is for general purposes and not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of a healthcare professional for your specific health concerns. Individual results may vary. Statements are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.

Pompa Program

PARK CITY, Utah, July 19, 2024 (Newswire.com) - In his detailed blog titled "Which Food Ingredients To Avoid," Dr. Daniel Pompa, founder of the Pompa Program, the world leader in cellular detox and cellular healing, references studies on which food ingredients to avoid.

While artificial sweeteners are often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, their negative effects cannot be ignored. Studies have shown that these sweeteners contribute to health issues such as bladder problems, gut bacteria disruption, and increased cravings for sugary foods.

Colorants such as Tartrazine (E102), Carmine (E120), Sunset Yellow (E110), Titanium Dioxide (E171), and Allura Red (E129) are commonly used in processed foods but have negative effects on our health. Studies have linked these artificial and natural colorants to allergic reactions, hyperactivity in children, and negative impacts on the digestive and immune systems.

Processed meats, also known as preserved meats, are those that undergo preservation techniques to extend their shelf life. While these methods enhance flavor and longevity, they often contain high levels of preservatives like nitrates and nitrites which have been linked to health concerns. Additionally, processed meats are high in sodium and lack the nutrients found in fresh meat, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener that is widely used in processed foods and beverages. It is derived from corn starch and undergoes a process to convert some of its glucose into fructose, making it sweeter than regular sugar. However, despite its origins from a natural source like corn, HFCS has been linked to various health concerns and should be avoided.

Avoiding vegetable oils is crucial for maintaining good health due to their high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which lead to inflammation. Completely avoid using vegetable oils in your diet. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives such as olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. 

Visit our blog for details and to read more about research studies on which food ingredients to avoid. Also, visit https://pompaprogram.com/ to find out more about the Pompa Program.

About Pompa Program

In 2020, Pompa Program was launched as a family-run business to transform lives by helping clients and others in our global community restore the extraordinary healing potential God gave to the human body.

Information provided is for general purposes and not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of a healthcare professional for your specific health concerns. Individual results may vary. Statements are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.

Season 2 of the Paramount+ series Tulsa King is scheduled to begin streaming on September 15th, and today a trailer has arrived online to give us a preview of what this new batch of episodes has in store for us! You can check it out in the embed above.

Created by Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan, Tulsa King sees Sylvester Stallone take on the role of Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a Mafia capo who is released from prison at the start of the story and begins to set up a criminal organization in Tulsa, Oklahoma while trying to fix his relationship with his estranged daughter Tina (Tatiana Zappardino). In season 2: With looming threats from the Kansas City mob and a very powerful local businessman, Dwight struggles to keep his family and crew safe while keeping track of all his affairs. Plus, he still has unfinished business back in New York.

Stallone and Zappardino are joined in the cast by Andrea Savage as Stacy Beale, Jay Will as Tyson, Martin Starr as Bodhi, Max Casella as Armand Truisi, Dana Delaney as Margaret, Garrett Hedlund as Mitch, and Domenick Lombardozzi as Chickie Ivernizzi. For season two, Annabella Sciorra’s Joanne is being upped to series regular status, while Frank Grillo has signed on to play Bill Bevilaqua, a Kansas City mobster and foil for Dwight, and Neal McDonough is set to play Cal Thresher, a powerful and highly territorial businessman.

Sheridan serves as an executive producer on the series alongside Stallone, Terence Winter, Craig Zisk, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Braden Aftergood, and Keith Cox. It’s distributed by Paramount Global.

What did you think of the Tulsa King season 2 trailer? Are you a fan of this show, and will you be watching these new episodes? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

I haven’t caught up on the first season of Tulsa King yet, but as a Sylvester Stallone fan I have it on my “must see” list and will be getting to it soon. Hopefully… Maybe I’ll even get season 1 watched by the time season 2 comes along.

BISMARCK, N.D., July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - BEK News’ viewership from across the globe is growing, and so is its programming lineup. The BEK TV network is thrilled to announce the launch of seven dynamic, new programs. True to the network’s commitment to free speech, and as demanded by its viewers, these new additions feature uncensored hosts and unscripted content, ensuring that every voice is heard. 

The Absolute Truth, hosted by Emerald Robinson

Monday-Friday, 10 am CT

Conservative Daily

Monday-Friday, 1 pm CT

The Truth Matters, hosted by Tina Peters

Monday-Friday, 4 pm CT

Redacted, hosted by Clayton and Natali Morris

Monday-Friday, 7 pm CT

Lou Dobbs Tonight

Monday-Friday, 8 pm CT

The Lindell Report, hosted by Mike Lindell

Saturday & Sunday, 4 pm CT

The Sentinel Report, hosted by Alex Newman

Saturday & Sunday, 5 pm CT

Beginning this week, these seven programs can be viewed live and on-demand on the BEK TV+ app.  To learn more about each show and its host, visit BEK Buzz. 

As one of the nation’s only truly free speech television networks, this new content reflects BEK News' dedication to providing a platform for free expression and diverse viewpoints. The expanded schedule promises to deliver engaging and thought-provoking content that audiences have come to demand. BEK will continue to deliver programming that informs, entertains, and empowers its viewers.

For more information, visit BEK TV.

BEK TV is the only North Dakota-owned broadcasting company remaining in the state and produces more local content than any other television station. It broadcasts statewide on television and across the world via streaming. 

The concept behind BEK TV’s programming is to provide a media service platform that is unscripted and uncensored. The majority of BEK TV hosts are untrained broadcasters who share their perspectives and views on topics and issues that North Dakotans are talking about. The BEK network never controls the messaging.

BEK TV is the 2021, 2022, and 2023 winner of the Bismarck Tribune’s Best of the Best contest, selected by the people for “Best Local TV Station.”

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• Executed Over 400 Events in 70 Unique Markets Across North America
• Won New Contracts for Four Million Net Square Footage (NSF)
• Multiple Clients Recognized at Fastest 50 Awards
• New Hires Support the Company’s Growing Event Portfolio 

ATLANTA, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Fern Expo, one of the country’s leading trade show and expo service providers, announced several significant business and momentum milestones. These include securing numerous high-profile contracts, welcoming talented new team members, and launching enhancements to cutting-edge software and solutions.

“We are incredibly excited about the successes and innovation at Fern,” said John Hense, CEO of Fern and Nth Degree. “Over the past few months, both Fern and Nth Degree have achieved a range of milestones and built momentum across our business segments including trade show services, exhibit services, and event management.” 

In the last six months alone, Fern delivered more than 400 trade shows totaling over 8.5 million NSF. Several of these events were recently recognized at Trade Show Executive Magazine’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit in Las Vegas. In addition, the company won a range of new shows totaling four million NSF in cities from Atlanta and Dallas to Chicago, Denver, and beyond. 

New Hires

To support our growing portfolio and enhance our service capabilities, Fern Expo is excited to welcome a number of accomplished professionals to the team:

• Matt Harris joins as Senior Account Manager within the Strategic Account Group.
• Beth Coffey joins as Senior National Sales Manager, bringing extensive expertise in client relations and operations.
• Sherica Santiago also joins the Strategic Account Group, bringing solid experience in customer service.
• Eric Hoffend joins as Vice President of Business Development, bringing a track record of delivering successful large-scale events.
• Kailey Songster joins as an Account Manager based out of Kansas City.

These individuals join many others continuing to extend Fern’s capabilities across the country. 

Innovative Software and Solutions

Fern Expo also enhanced two of its proprietary technology offerings designed to streamline event management and improve client experiences:

• OneView Exhibitor Portal offers clients a unified view of all their event logistics from expo preparation to collaborative task management, ensuring seamless coordination and real-time updates.
• FXExchange, an exhibitor service portal, simplifies the exhibitor experience by providing an intuitive interface for sharing files, managing orders such as graphics, tracking shipments, and managing event opportunities to help grow event revenue.

Fern also recently unveiled an innovative modular system called Fern FlexFrame, designed to offer elevated solutions to event organizers for registration, entrance treatments, and more, while adding a level of sustainability, reusability, and compatibility with monitors and LED tiles.  

About Fern Expo

Fern Expo is a leading national marketing support and tradeshow services provider that delivers unmatched customer service, best-in-class creativity, and innovative solutions for exhibitors and large-scale events. Fern is among North America’s top three face-to-face event service providers, serving more than 1,400 events annually, including many top 100 shows and dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

Matthew Cappucci, MyRadar

ORLANDO, Fla., July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - As anticipation builds for tomorrow's theater release of “Twisters,” MyRadar offers the exclusive opportunity for weather enthusiasts to live out their storm-chasing fantasy. The Ultimate Storm-Chasing Adventure contest promises one lucky winner an adrenaline-pumping experience to chase storms alongside an expert MyRadar storm chaser. 

The timing of this contest aligns perfectly with the release of “Twisters,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 blockbuster. As movie-goers prepare to be thrilled by Hollywood’s depiction of storm chasing, MyRadar provides a real-life adventure with a grand prize that includes a trip for two to chase tornadoes with MyRadar’s senior meteorologist, Matthew Cappucci, a renowned storm chaser and correspondent of The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. 

"If you've ever seen a viral tornado video and wondered what being up close might be like, this is your shot," said Cappucci. "The winner will experience the thrill of the chase in nature's biggest classroom — the atmosphere. This once-in-a-liftime opportunity will provide the chance to encounter wild supercells, mega hail and possibly a strategic tornado intercept."

The contest’s prize package includes the following:

• Round-trip airfare for two within the United States (up to $600 per person). 
• Hotel accommodations to live like a storm chaser for up to five nights. 
• Up to five days riding alongside a MyRadar designated storm chaser. The specific dates and locations will be arranged with the winner to ensure the most spectacular weather events. 

The sweepstakes run from now through Dec. 15. U.S. residents 18 and older can enter once weekly by filling out the entry form on MyRadar’s website. The winner will be randomly selected on or about Dec. 16. 

The trip will be tailored to conducive weather conditions and will last a minimum of three days during the April-June 2025 severe weather season. The MyRadar team, led by experienced professionals like Cappucci, prioritizes safe and responsible storm-chasing practices and educational opportunities throughout the experience.

“It's nature, so there are no guarantees on what exactly you'll see, but odds are you'll see something pretty cool,” Cappucci added. “Plus, you’ll be learning every step of the way — about safe positioning, forecasting, navigating and what it's like to be a storm chaser.”

MyRadar will also host an educational webinar titled “Tornado Movies: Fact or Fiction,” which will explore the accuracy of tornado portrayals in popular films and separate sensationalized Hollywood myths from scientific facts on Friday, Aug. 2, at 3 p.m. EDT. Led by Cappucci, the informative webinar will break down iconic tornado scenes, discussing what moviemakers got right and where they missed the mark.

Don’t miss this electrifying chance to chase storms with the pros! For full terms and conditions, including entry limits and prize details, visit myradar.com/storm-chasing-sweepstakes-terms-and-conditions. To learn more about MyRadar’s accurate radar and weather prediction app, visit myradar.com. 

About MyRadar 

With more than 50 million downloads across iOS, Android and Windows platforms, MyRadar develops science and technology applications to provide unparalleled access to weather and environmental data. By providing severe weather alerts for tropical storms, earthquakes, wildfires, blizzards and road weather conditions, MyRadar facilitates informed decision-making in a rapidly changing climate. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, MyRadar ensures individuals and organizations stay informed and prepared. For further information, visit myradar.com. 

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HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio, July 19, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Buc-ee’s, home of the world’s cleanest bathrooms, freshest food and friendliest beaver, will break ground on its new travel center in Huber Heights, Ohio, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM EDT. Buc-ee’s will celebrate the start of construction with a ceremony attended by local leaders. 

Buc-ee’s Huber Heights will be the first Buc-ee’s location in Ohio. 

Located at 8000 State Highway 235, Buc-ee’s Huber Heights will occupy 74,000 square feet and offer 100 fueling positions and 24 EV charging stations. Buc-ee’s favorites, including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries, will all be available. Visitors will find thousands of snack, meal and drink options, as well as the same award-winning restrooms, cheap gas, quality products and excellent service that have won the hearts, trust and business of millions for over 40 years.

Attendees of the Buc-ee’s Huber Heights groundbreaking ceremony will include state and local leaders, including Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore.

Founded in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee’s operates 50 stores in total. Since beginning its multi-state expansion in 2019, Buc-ee’s has opened travel centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Colorado. Buc-ee’s broke ground on the first Virginia and Mississippi locations earlier this year. 

“Huber Heights is the perfect spot for our first Ohio store,” said Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s. “It's a beautiful stretch of I-70 between Columbus and Indianapolis and we are excited to be a part of this community.” 

Throughout the project, Buc-ee’s corporate development team will continue to work closely with local partners. Buc-ee’s Huber Heights will bring at least 200 full-time jobs to the area, with starting pay beginning well above minimum wage, full benefits, a 6% matching 401k, and three weeks of paid vacation.

About Buc-ee’s

Buc-ee’s is the world’s most-loved travel center. Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s now has 35 stores across Texas, including the world’s largest convenience store, as well as 15 locations in other states. Buc-ee’s is known for pristine bathrooms, a large amount of fueling positions, friendly service, Buc-ee’s apparel and fresh, delicious food. Originally launched and still headquartered in Texas, Buc-ee’s has combined traditional quality and modern efficiency to redefine the pit stop for their customers. For more information, visit www.buc-ees.com.

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

PLOT: American social psychologist Ben Monroe investigates a local cult connected to a disturbing event, while his daughter becomes embroiled with a mysterious local boy.

REVIEW: I love it when a film comes out of nowhere and manages to impress without a big budget or marketing campaign. Usually, it’s reserved for the festival circuit. But with so many films released every month, whether it’s in theaters or on streaming services, the likelihood has never been greater. And with leads like Eric Bana and Sadie Sink to help intrigue audiences, I think few will expect the wonderful character study that follows. Because as much as this is about a modern cult and its ill intentions, A Sacrifice very much focuses on the people involved and how they would get to such a place.

I’ve always enjoyed Eric Bana and he’s perfect here as Ben Monroe, an American psychologist living in Germany. He’s always had that everyman quality that makes him instantly relatable. Amongst all the chaos, he’s the film’s moral compass. This is why I really enjoy what they do to his character, giving him a little more dimension than these roles often allow. His investigation of a mysterious cult in Berlin leads him on a chase that brings danger to Ben’s life. At the same time, Ben’s daughter Mazzy is visiting for the summer and trying to repair their fractured relationship. Sadie Sink of Stranger Things continues to flex her acting muscles, bringing a lot of complexity to Mazzy. She sells every moment like her life depends on it and provides so much, whether it’s a “meet cute” with a boy or an intense moment with the cult, she nails it.

Cult leaders have a certain indescribable quality when it comes to their aura. I’d argue, especially for a cult movie, that it’s the most important casting element. Sophie Rois manages to be an utter psychopath hidden beneath a smile. The way she convinces others to do despicable acts and the gaslighting to get them to complete their tasks is truly terrifying. Rois brings an energy that gives every scene involving her a feeling of underlying tension. You just never know what decision she’ll make, that the cult will then carry out. Sylvia Hoeks is absolutely phenomenal as Nina, the mysterious woman that Ben meets in Berlin. She has two scenes in particular that are absolute showcases for her. The less said about her role the better; just sit back and enjoy her greatness.

Based on a book by Nicholas Hogg, Jordan Scott (daughter of filmmaker Ridley Scott) adapted and directed the film herself. She does a wonderful job, really having a great eye for the beautiful Berlin architecture. She’s not afraid to let an actor tell the story of the scene with their eyes versus excessive exposition, which I will always appreciate. There’s so much handholding in modern cinema that a little bit of nuance and ambiguity goes a long way. A Sacrifice rides the line perfectly between the more fantastical side of a cult with a more grounded reality. A lot of that credit has to go to Scott. I’m not familiar with the source material, but it’s clear she really understood what worked about the cult element.

I have been waiting for a movie like A Sacrifice for quite some time. Cult films often go into such absurd territory that I was happy to see them nail the ethereal tone with a grounded reality. This is truly a character piece focusing on many different people and the intense changes they go through during the film. Anyone who makes contact with the cult will have their life changed in one way or another. I recommend going into this one knowing as little as possible. It’s a slow burn with a great payoff and some truly fantastic performances.

A SACRIFICE IS PLAYING IN THEATERS ON JUNE 28TH, 2024.

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Viewer Ratings (0 reviews)

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

I’ve been very lucky to have worked for JoBlo as long as I have because, over the years, I’ve been able to interview many people I admire. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Anne Hathaway, Denzel Washington, Jessica Chastain, Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, and many more. I’ve been able to cross more than a few names off my all-time bucket list (with Sylvester Stallone being a big one), but one guy I never thought I’d get the chance to talk to is Eddie Murphy.

Indeed, as a guy who grew up in the eighties and nineties, Murphy has always been an all-timer for me. I was born in ’81, so Murphy has pretty much been a star the entire time I’ve been alive. I grew up on a diet of his films, with Beverly Hills Cop and its first sequel always being particular favourites of mine. When Netflix announced they were making Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, I never in a million years imagined I’d get to cover the press junket in Los Angeles (in Beverly Hills) for the site and speak to Murphy himself. But it happened, and it was a HUGE moment for me.

While the interview was short, Murphy was hysterical as always, with him explaining how Axel Foley has evolved over the years and how he never knew the franchise would become when it did when he signed on to do the first one. He’s also teased his upcoming action flick with Pete Davidson, The Pickup, but the best part of the interview is when he asks me how old I was when I saw Beverly Hills Cop for the first time. I told him I was about seven (true), and he got a HUGE kick out of that, especially when he realized the movie had strippers and nudity in it, and how that probably blew my seven-year-old mind. It’s definitely a moment I’ll treasure!

Check back in a few days for more stuff from Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, including our review and interviews with Joseph Gordon Levitt, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Kevin Bacon, Jerry Bruckheimer and director Mark Molloy!

Back at the start of May, the Netflix streaming service unveiled their 2024 Summer Movie slate, and in the process they revealed that an action comedy called The Union, which stars Mark Wahlberg (The Family Plan) and Halle Berry (The Call), has a release date of August 16th. With that date just seven weeks away, a trailer for the film has arrived online, and you can check it out in the embed above.

Directed by prolific television director Julian Farino, who was also at the helm of the 2011 dramedy The Oranges, The Union has the following synopsis: Mike (Mark Wahlberg) is happy living a simple life as a construction worker in his native New Jersey – until his long-lost high school sweetheart, Roxanne (Halle Berry), shows up with more on her mind than romance. Knowing he’s the right man for the job, she recruits Mike on a dangerous intelligence mission in Europe that thrusts them back together into a world of spies and high-speed car chases, with sparks flying along the way. iBoy, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, and The Lazarus Project writer Joe Barton crafted the screenplay with David Guggenheim, who also receives story credit. IMDb currently has this listed as Guggenheim’s first credit, but it’s actually the same person who wrote Safe House, Stolen, and The Christmas Chronicles, and created the TV series Designated Survivor.

Wahlberg and Berry are joined in the cast by Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost), Jessica De Gouw (The Secrets She Keeps), Alice Lee (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), and J.K. Simmons (Whiplash).

Wahlberg produced The Union with Stephen Levinson and Jeff G. Waxman. Jennifer Madeloff executive produced.

The Union doesn’t look like anything we haven’t seen before, a couple times over, but it could be a decent flick to waste some time with some evening. There appear to be some fun action sequences in there.

What did you think of the trailer for The Union? Will you be watching this movie when it starts streaming on Netflix? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

Jeremy Allen White may be gearing up to play Bruce Springsteen but he doesn’t want to meet him tonight in Atlantic City – or anywhere, as the actor says he isn’t quite ready to have a face-to-face with the music legend.

While Jeremy Allen White has season three of The Bear premiering this week, his turn as The Boss is also approaching, as he is set to star as Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me From Nowhere, about the making of landmark album Nebraska. But White has his own preparations to do before he even considers sitting down with Bruce. “We’ve, like, communicated a little bit through some other, some other people….I hope this still all comes together, we’ve still got a few things, we have some timing stuff to work out, and I’m like trying to have a bit of, I think, my own process with it before meeting the man, too. I wanna try and, yeah, have an understanding, so that when I meet him, you know, I’ll have a bit of confidence somewhere in me to stand there.” White also plans to try to do his own singing.

Based on Warren Zanes’ essential book for any Bruce fan, Deliver Me From Where will track the evolution and making of 1982’s Nebraska, a minimal and intimate follow-up to double album The River. No doubt Jeremy Allen White will give us all a reason to believe that he is a perfect choice to play Bruce Springsteen; and we expect the same from Jeremy Strong, who is in talks to play longtime manager Jon Landau.

As per the book’s publisher, “Nebraska expressed a turmoil that was reflective of the mood of the country, but it was also a symptom of trouble in the artist’s life, the beginnings of a mental breakdown that Springsteen would only talk about openly decades after the album’s release.” 

Scott Cooper, who launched his career with Crazy Heart – in which Jeff Bridges played a fictitious troubled musician – is set to direct.

Are you looking forward to Jeremy Allen White playing Bruce Springsteen? Do you think he should do his own singing? Drop your thoughts below!

New Parenting Course App and Original Preschool Animated Series 'Zip and the Tiny Sprouts' Launched

NEW YORK, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Tiny Souls Media Inc., a start-up specializing in children’s media and educational resources for caregivers, launched its first episodes of an original preschool animated series entitled Zip and the Tiny Sprouts last month on YouTube. The series is written and directed by K Love You Bye’s Peter Johnston and Kyle Logan with Chris Bennett (Bluey) as animation director. Zip and the Tiny Sprouts aims to entertain young audiences while supporting their learning and social-emotional development. The series will feature 26 seven-minute episodes set in the whimsical Harmony Hollow, released every other weekend on YouTube and the YouTube Kids app. Additional content such as sing-alongs and craft videos are also featured on the channel to help families learn and grow together.

Each episode features meaningful stories and original music on themes like patience, perseverance and gratitude, and is grounded in established curriculum frameworks and developmental psychology research. Lacey Mason (Sesame Workshop, Dodo Kids), Head of Development and Production at Tiny Souls Media, shared, “Each episode of Zip and the Tiny Sprouts is thoughtfully crafted with humor and heart. We have an extremely talented art and animation team making the Sprouts and their world come to life in fantastic, endearing and relatable ways.”

“We are thrilled to launch this unique animated series alongside a robust offering of resources and activities that empower caregivers and educators of young children to learn about important themes that can create a solid foundation for their well-being,” said Shadi Toloui-Wallace, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Tiny Souls Media. 

The show has already become a YouTube sensation with the first five episodes garnering over 1.5 million views within the first month of its release. “The reception to it has been just wonderful. But there’s no time to rest. Our journey is just getting started and we’ve got lots of funny, heartfelt and thoughtful stories to share,” said Animation Director and writer Chris Bennett.

Unique to many of its competitors, Tiny Souls offers educational content for both caregivers and young children, all informed by developmental psychology research. Earlier this year, Tiny Souls Media launched the Caregiver Companion Series of parenting courses available on its website and app, featuring expert advice, purposeful activities and games, songs and more.

CBS has come out the winner in a bidding war to become the home to a new TV series based on Dracula’s legendary foe Dr. Abraham Van Helsing… and no, this project does not (despite the image above) have anything to do with the 2004 Hugh Jackman movie. Or the Van Helsing show that ran on Syfy for five seasons, wrapping up in 2021. Or any previous version of Van Helsing, a character who has been played by the likes of Edward Van Sloan, Peter Cushing, Anthony Hopkins, Mel Brooks, Rutger Hauer, and many others over the decades. This is a fresh take on the character that’s coming our way from Elementary creator Rob Doherty, Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman and Lionsgate Television.

Deadline reports that this contemporary version of monster hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing uses his uniquely inquisitive mind working alongside his ex, relentless FBI special agent Mina Harker, to solve New York City’s most harrowing cases. So at this point it sounds like your typical CBS procedural show, the lead characters just happen to be Van Helsing and Mina Harker. Here’s hoping New York City’s most harrowing cases will cause them to cross paths with vampires and other monsters every now and then.

Van Helsing is being written by author Jonathan Lee, whose books include The Great Mistake and High Dive – and he’s currently working with Eric Roth to script an adaptation of the latter. Lee is also behind the upcoming drama series Lockerbie, from Netflix and the BBC, and is working with Reservation Dogs’ Sterlin Harjo to create a limited series about a Las Vegas heist for FX. So he is quite busy at the moment.

Deadline notes that this isn’t the only Van Helsing series in development, as EastSiders creator Kit Williamson is developing a series based on Jason Henderson’s trilogy of Alex Van Helsing novels, which center on a 14-year-old descendent of Abraham Van Helsing. That project is set up at AGC Television. 

What do you think of Van Helsing getting a procedural series on CBS? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

About the Author

Cody is a news editor and film critic, focused on the horror arm of JoBlo.com, and writes scripts for videos that are released through the JoBlo Originals and JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channels. In his spare time, he's a globe-trotting digital nomad, runs a personal blog called Life Between Frames, and writes novels and screenplays.

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

One of the near casualties of Zaslav’s reign of cancellation at Warner Bros. was the new animated series from Batman: The Animated Series guru Bruce Timm. The show Batman: Caped Crusader brings back Timm’s famous style and is thrown back to the very early era of the Bat-Man comic book from the 1930s and 40s. Thankfully, Amazon stepped in to pick up the show for Prime Video and now, the trailer to the animated series has now been made available online.

The series is billed as a “reimagining of the Batman mythology” that will utilize “state-of-the-art animation techniques and technologies available, this powerful creative partnership will once again reinvent Batman and his iconic rogue’s gallery with sophisticated storytelling, nuanced characters and intense action sequences all set in a visually striking world.”

The official synopsis reads, “Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human — the Batman. His one-man crusade attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications.”

Playing Bruce Wayne/Batman is Hamish Linklater (Midnight Mass, Legion), with Christina Ricci (Casper, The Addams Family, Yellowjackets) as Catwoman/Selina Kyle, Jamie Chung (Big Hero 6, Gotham, Eden) as Harley Quinn, and Diedrich Bader (Office Space) as Two-Face/Harvey Dent. Minnie Driver and McKenna Grace also head to Gotham City for the new animated series.

J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves join Timm in producing the series with Bad Robot. “We are beyond excited to be working together to bring this character back, to tell engrossing new stories in Gotham City,” J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves said in a joint statement when the project was first announced. “The series will be thrilling, cinematic and evocative of Batman’s noir roots, while diving deeper into the psychology of these iconic characters. We cannot wait to share this new world.”

About the Author

E.J. is a News Editor at JoBlo, as well as a Video Editor, Writer, and Narrator for some of the movie retrospectives on our JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, including Reel Action, Revisited and some of the Top 10 lists. He is a graduate of the film program at Missouri Western State University with concentrations in performance, writing, editing and directing.

New York, NY August 23rd and 24th The Models Bootcamp is excited to announce its inaugural event, "The Models Bootcamp: Elevate Your Career," taking place at The Mezzanine, 55 Broadway Ave, NYC. This groundbreaking bootcamp aims to empower aspiring & experienced models through a comprehensive program designed to provide expert training, hands-on experience, and unmatched industry opportunities.

Event Highlights:

- Five-Year Alliance with The Mezzanine: 

We are proud to partner with The Mezzanine to host our events over the next five years, ensuring a top-tier venue for our participants.

-Exclusive Collaboration with Hotel Indigo by IHG: 

Our partnership with Hotel Indigo offers convenient and luxurious accommodations for attendees, enhancing their overall experience.

-Transformative Workshops:

 Participants will engage in intensive workshops, including modeling and etiquette coaching, pose and lighting mastery, and yoga session focused on mental and physical wellness.

-Expert Panels: 

Gain insights from industry leaders in fashion, beauty, health, and model coaching through interactive panel discussions and Q&A sessions.

-Full-Scale Commercial Photoshoot:

Experience a hands-on professional photoshoot and video production, providing real-world experience and high-quality portfolio content.

-Physical Comp Cards and Digitals: 

Models will be given professional physical comp cards and digital images, essential tools for their modeling careers.

-Networking Opportunities: 

Connect with industry professionals, fellow models, and potential clients to build valuable relationships and future opportunities.

-Exclusive Opportunities: 

Two standout models will be signed to Super Model Management and featured as the premier faces of a commercial ad. Additionally, participants will have the chance to secure spots in New York Fashion Week.

Event Details:

- Date: August 23-24, 2024

- Location: The Mezzanine, 55 Broadway Ave, NYC

- Booking Link: https://www.themodelsbootcamp.com/store 

About The Models Bootcamp:

The Models Bootcamp is dedicated to nurturing and developing the next generation of modeling talent. Our mission is to provide aspiring models with the skills, knowledge, foundation and opportunities needed to succeed in the competitive modeling industry.

The Models Bootcamp is a premier training program designed to elevate the careers of aspiring models. Our comprehensive curriculum includes expert-led workshops, hands-on experiences, and exclusive opportunities to ensure our participants achieve success in the modeling industry.

**For More Information and Registration:**

Visit themodelsbootcamp.com to learn more about The Models Bootcamp and secure your spot today or email info@themodelsbootcamp.com

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content:

- Instagram:  @TheModelsBootcamp

**Media Contact:**

Anthony Serrano  

Email: info@themodelsbootcamp.com

Paul Walter Hauser is the man of the hour, with a bevy of projects lined up that will surely make him a household name. But you better believe Hauser won’t be turning up in any Fast & Furious flicks – or Vin Diesel movies for that matter, as he has no respect for the star’s alleged work ethic.

In an interview with CinemaBlend while promoting Inside Out 2 (in which he voices Embarrassment), Paul Walter Hauser’s character’s arc of emerging as a hero was compared to Vin Diesel, to which the actor replied, “Please don’t say that.” Hauser elaborated, calling Diesel out directly with, “I like to think I am on time and approachable. I love people, but when I hear stories about Hollywood actors who get paid really well and mistreat people, I out them constantly and it’s a blast.”

Paul Walter Hauser calling out Vin Diesel like that as a direct slam is sort of refreshing. Here is an industry where people tend to be quite privileged, especially once they become the star – or at least think they’re the star. With stories of Diesel’s on-set behavior emerging over the past couple of years and the subsequent feuds that have resulted from it, maybe he deserves an ego check. Even if we remove Diesel himself from the equation, that kind of alpha mentality within Hollywood could use a good callout, so good for Hauser.

While Vin Diesel has his own MCU roots, Paul Walter Hauser will be joining in on the franchise with Phase Six launcher The Fantastic Four next year, although his role has yet to be disclosed. He, too, will appear in the reboot of The Naked Gun as well as The Instigators, which stars Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. In addition to those, Hauser has the lead part in two biographies: one on Michael Larson’s infamous Press Your Luck swindle and another on tragic comedian Chris Farley. Now we just need that Mick Foley biopic to get off the mat…

What do you think of Paul Walter Hauser directly calling out Vin Diesel? Was it the right thing to do or could it come back to bite him? Drop your take in the comments section below.

It was recently revealed that Marvel is heading back to Hall H at Comic-Con after the strikes last year canceled some of the usual panels. While there are a bevy of projects that the studio can give updates on, like Captain America: Brave New World or Thunderbolts, one popular title that’s moving forward quickly in development is The Fantastic Four. Marvel revealed artwork this year to announce its casting and the look of the art had an extremely retro vibe, which gave fans the impression that the new reboot will possibly take place in a past decade.

Deadline has revealed that Kevin Feige has confirmed on The Official Marvel Podcast that The Fantastic Four is indeed a period film. He would also hint at another detail about its setting.

It is a period film, and there was another piece of art we released with Johnny Storm flying in the air making a 4 symbol. There was a cityscape in that image. There were a lot of smart people who noticed that that cityscape didn’t look exactly like the New York that we know or the New York that existed in the 60s in our world. Those are smart observations, I’ll say…”

The art he’s referring to is the picture from the Marvel Studios Instagram account that was posted on April 4 or “4-4” day.

Feige also revealed that production is ready to proceed on July 29 after Comic-Con has commenced. He explains, “Our director, Matt Shakman has already moved to London, and we start filming at the end of July. Funny story, we start shooting the Monday after Comic-Con. We start filming the day after on Fantastic Four.” He, then, continues, “I’m extremely excited because those characters are mainstays, are legendary pillars of the Marvel Universe that we’ve never gotten to play with or explore in any significant way apart from [Doctor Strange in the] Multiverse of Madness and a few fun teases before, in the way we’re doing that film. So, I’m extremely excited.”

Recently, newly added cast member Paul Walter Hauser shared his confidence in the movie because of all the elements involved,  “But I really do think the combination of the screenplay, and the department heads that are working on the film, and that classy cast of really exciting actors — some of them known for a long time, and some of them having a moment right now — [make me feel that] this movie is special, and it was something I wanted to be a part of.”

About the Author

E.J. is a News Editor at JoBlo, as well as a Video Editor, Writer, and Narrator for some of the movie retrospectives on our JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, including Reel Action, Revisited and some of the Top 10 lists. He is a graduate of the film program at Missouri Western State University with concentrations in performance, writing, editing and directing.

Back in February, we learned that the EC Comics brand is being revived by Oni Press – and now The Wrap has revealed the upcoming EC Comics title Epitaphs from the Abyss will be introducing three new horror hosts, following in the footsteps of iconic EC Comics horror hosts like the Crypt Keeper, the Old Witch and the Vault Keeper. These new characters, designed by artist Dustin Weaver, are the Grave-Digger, the Tormentor, and the Grim Inquisitor. As the brand moves forward, the Grim Inquisitor – who “is part of a complex bureaucracy and answers to an unseen Supreme Inquisitor,” is expected to take the lead in his own title.

Oni Press editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn said, “We’ll have the Grave-Digger setting the stage, but with a little bit of that fun EC edge that’s a little bit dark, that’s a little bit playful.“

Oni president and publisher Hunter Gorinson added, “What we’ve tried to do is figure out how we create new horror hosts who aren’t Xeroxed facsimiles of the original trio, in the same way that we’re trying to create books that exist in a spiritual lineage with the original EC canon without directly replicating it or creating some sort of nostalgic simulacrum. There will be areas where they’re very similar to the classic three. My fave’s the Old Witch — the Old Witch, for life. But there’ll be areas where they definitely carve — no pun intended — their own path.“

The double-sized Epitaphs from the Abyss #1 will be reaching store shelves on July 24th, and Gorinson confirmed that issues of this comic will be, as can usually be expected from anthologies, packed with short, standalone stories. “One-and-done, very, very tight. Six, eight and 10-page stories.“

While the new EC Comics has access to the classic characters and could revive the classic titles if they wanted to, they want to get the brand revival started with new characters and new titles, to give readers something totally fresh.

Founded by Maxwell Gaines in 1944, the Entertaining Comics brand initially specialized in educational comics and stories aimed at children. But after Gaines died in a boating accident in ’47, his 25-year-old son William took control of the company and changed its direction, exploring the genres of horror, sci-fi, and satire while bringing us classic titles like Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, The Haunt of Fear, Weird Science, Weird Fantasy, and Mad. Sadly, EC Comics was at its peak when parents started to worry about the negative effects reading comic books could have on their children, leading to things like a Congressional hearing that blamed comic books for juvenile delinquency – a claim that was backed up by the book Seduction of the Innocent, written by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham. So by 1956, EC Comics ceased publishing all of their titles except for Mad. This revival aims to answer the question, “What would have happened if EC Comics had lived to create another age of comics?”

William Gaines remained the publisher of Mad until he passed away in 1992. Even though EC stopped publishing horror comics in the ’50s, stories told in the comics they did publish have been brought to the screen in films (Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror) and on TV (Tales from the Crypt), and were a source of inspiration for Creepshow.

To hear more about this revival of EC Comics, click over to The Wrap at the link provided above. Images of the Grave-Digger, the Tormentor, and the Grim Inquisitor can be seen below.

Are you looking forward to reading the comics in the EC Comics revival, and to meeting these new horror hosts? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

PORTLAND & SISTERS, Ore., July 2, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Wild Roots, renowned for its natural ingredients and exceptional flavors, proudly introduces two new additions: Wild Roots Lemonade Vodka Cocktail and Wild Roots Huckleberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail. These refreshing cocktails exemplify Wild Roots' commitment to quality and innovation.

Wild Roots Lemonade Vodka Cocktail combines real lemons and premium vodka for a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness. Wild Roots Huckleberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail offers a vibrant twist with juicy huckleberries and zesty lemons. This unique blend is both tart and sweet, making it perfect for summer gatherings or a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy over ice with a lemon wheel. It is ideal as a thirst-quenching beverage or versatile mixer.

Ali Joseph, co-owner of Wild Roots, stated, “Since our launch 10 years ago, Wild Roots with lemonade has been our signature cocktail. We've bottled this experience so it can be enjoyed with one simple pour.”

Both cocktails (26 PROOF, 13% ALC/VOL) are offered in a 750ml glass bottle. The Lemonades will initially be available in Oregon through select liquor stores, Wild Roots retail locations, and special events, with plans for expanded distribution in the coming months.

Wild Roots continues to expand its range of premium spirits, including signature infused vodkas made with real fruit, celebrating the natural bounty of the Pacific Northwest.

ABOUT WILD ROOTS

Wild Roots Spirits is dedicated to crafting authentic, fruit-infused spirits that capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Established in 2012 by Chris Joseph and Ali Joseph, Wild Roots is known as a trailblazing pioneer in the spirits industry. For more information, visit www.wildrootsspirits.com and follow us @WildRootsSpirits on Instagram and Facebook.

Happy Exchange Students on 4th July

MINNEAPOLIS, July 3, 2024 (Newswire.com) - ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), a non-profit, public benefit organization, is inviting American families to discover the many rewards of hosting a foreign exchange student. 

ASSE exchange students hail from more than 50 countries worldwide, including Italy, France, Spain, Brazil, and Thailand, among others. They are between the ages of 15 and 18, and they are eager to experience American culture, family life, school, sports, and more. They also enjoy sharing their own culture and language with their host families, who open their homes to them as if they were members of their own families. This provides everyone involved with a rich cultural experience. 

Host families can be single parents, couples, or single people. Exchange students arrive with pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident, and liability insurance. ASSE students are chosen based on their academic and personal qualities, and host families choose their students from a wide range of backgrounds, nations, and interests. 

Those interested in hosting an exchange student this fall should contact Saphia Lesch at 1-800-736-1760, visit www.asse.com, or send an email to asseusamidwest@asse.com to learn more or begin the application process. Students are eager to learn about their American host family, so start the process of welcoming your new son or daughter today. The memories and the friendships you create with your exchange student will be cherished forever.

Pompa Program

PARK CITY, Utah, July 3, 2024 (Newswire.com) - In his detailed blog titled "Heavy Metals Cause Brain Fog - Think Clearly Again By Removing Heavy Metals From The Brain", Dr. Daniel Pompa, founder of the Pompa Program, the world leader in cellular detox and cellular healing, references studies on how heavy metals cause brain fog.

Heavy metals, a group of toxic substances including lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum, pose serious threats to the health of the central nervous system. These hazardous elements have a strong tendency to bind with proteins in the brain, causing disruption to their normal functioning. Numerous studies have linked exposure to heavy metals with a wide range of neurological symptoms. This includes fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, and difficulties with concentration and focus commonly known as brain fog.

Studies have indicated that mercury is one of the most harmful neurotoxins. One of the reasons why mercury has such a detrimental impact on our bodies is because of its ability to bind with important molecules in our cells. This disruption in cellular functions has a cascading effect on the body, leading to a range of neurological symptoms such as brain fog. 

Aluminum, long considered safe, is commonly used in many consumer goods and personal care products. Disturbing new research indicates there is a link between high levels of aluminum in the body and cognitive impairment. 

One study found that glyphosate increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is responsible for protecting our brain from harmful substances. Glyphosate allows even more toxic heavy metals to enter the brain, leading to further neurodegeneration.

Dr. Pompa developed his 5Rs technique for removing toxic heavy metals from the brain. Removing these neurotoxins is the key to reversing brain fog and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Visit our blog for details and to read more about research studies on how heavy metals cause brain fog. Also visit https://pompaprogram.com/ to find out more about the Pompa Program.

About Pompa Program

In 2020, Pompa Program was launched as a family-run business to transform lives by helping clients and others in our global community restore the extraordinary healing potential God gave to the human body.

Information provided is for general purposes and not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of a healthcare professional for your specific health concerns. Individual results may vary. Statements are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.

BEND, Ore., July 3, 2024 (Newswire.com) - The veterinarians at the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon have received advanced training in a range of different specialties, however, one particular subject may come as a surprise. A group of veterinarians recently completed a course to receive their Oregon alcohol servers permit in order to tend bar at Ponch’s Place, VRCCO’s beer and food truck pavilion. 

You may be wondering why this hospital or these veterinarians have a desire to serve beer. You can find the answer straight from the company’s core values: personalized experience, beyond expectations, one team, compassion and education. Interestingly, their participation at Ponch’s Place connects to each one of these values. 

Ponch’s Place and VRCCO plan to hold "meet the vet" nights:Doctor Rounds at Ponch's Place throughout the year to benefit their Care Fund. Proceeds of the beer poured will go toward providing medical services to Central Oregon’s pets that are in need of financial support. VRCCO started this fund from a place of compassion. Using their one team mentality, their staff is determined to help this initiative succeed. The more awareness and support they can achieve, the more animals will benefit from their work.

Ponch’s Place provides VRCCO the opportunity to educate the public about their philanthropic efforts. Additionally, "meet the vet" nights will offer educational opportunities and a chance for pet parents to ask questions about the hospital and the services their organization provides. 

VRCCO understands that the relationship between a parent and a veterinarian is often made through stressful experiences with their pets. Ponch’s Place gives VRCCO the ability to create these experiences that hopefully exceed expectations, eliminate stress, and allow pet parents to enjoy some time (over a beer) with their veterinarian.

Ponch’s Place was also created as a space for their team and the community to gather and connect. Doctor Rounds at Ponch's Place is a way to strengthen this connection and provide more personalized experiences with VRCCO. The Veterinary Referral Center feels fortunate to have the ability to create these unique events that will foster the relationships they hope to build in Central Oregon. 

VRCCO hopes that you will come out to “meet the vet” for the next Doctor Rounds at Ponch's Place on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. during trivia night with QuizHead Games.

TheVeterinary Referral Center of Central Oregonoffers the most advanced emergency and specialty care options to members of the Central Oregon community and beyond. The VRCCO Care Fund uses 100% of its funds to provide financial assistance to pet parents facing financial hardship in their community. The funds raised will provide medical services to the neglected, abused and financially constrained animals with otherwise good prognoses that find their way into the VRCCO Emergency and Specialty Hospital. To learn more about this initiative, to donate or attend VRCCO’s annual gala, please visit: www.vrcvet.com/donations.

ATLANTA, July 4, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Customers can save on every power rack, making it easier than ever to build the home gym of their dreams. Major Fitness, a leading provider of accessible and innovative home gym equipment, proudly marks its third anniversary with a series of exciting promotions ahead of Independence Day, alongside a brand new introduction to the brand: the Major Athletes Program.

Three Years of Empowering Fitness JourneysOver the past three years, Major Fitness has grown from a fledgling startup to a trusted name in the fitness industry. The company's mission is to make fitness accessible to everyone, regardless of budget or experience level. Major Fitness has consistently delivered high-quality, affordable equipment that empowers individuals to transform their lives through fitness, as seen through its best-selling and expandable power racks and Smith machines. The company has paid close attention to its users and listened to their feedback, releasing a full ecosystem of training gear that empowers home gym users across the United States. 

Independence Day Meets Major's 3rd: Exclusive Savings on Power RacksTo celebrate its anniversary and Independence Day, Major Fitness is offering incredible discounts on its range of power racks. Customers can save on every power rack, making it easier than ever to build the home gym of their dreams.

This limited-time offer is available from June 28th to July 7th and is a way for Major Fitness to thank its loyal customers for their continued support.

Major Athletes Program: Inspiration and EmpowermentMajor Fitness is thrilled to announce the launch of its Major Athletes Program. This initiative showcases the brand's commitment to inspiring and empowering individuals on their fitness journeys. The program features a roster of world-class athletes who embody Major Fitness's core values of perseverance, excellence, and balanced living.

The inaugural athletes include:• Gwen Jorgensen: Olympic Gold Medalist in Triathlon• Michael Andrew: American Competitive Swimmer• Paul Basagoitia: Professional Mountain Biker

These remarkable athletes will share their stories, training tips, and insights to motivate and guide others on their own paths to success.

"There's never been a better time to celebrate with us, and we're excited to kick off discounts on our best-sellers and bring in an all-new athlete program. It's an exciting time for sure," shared Jay, founder of Major Fitness.

Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and InnovationMajor Fitness is committed to continued growth and innovation, with plans to expand its product line, enhance its customer service offerings, and strengthen its community engagement initiatives. The company remains dedicated to its core mission of making fitness accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

About Major FitnessMajor Fitness is a leading provider of affordable and innovative home gym equipment. Founded in 2021, the company is dedicated to making fitness accessible to all, regardless of their experience level or budget. Major Fitness offers a wide range of high-quality equipment, designed to help individuals achieve their health and fitness goals.For more information, please visit https://www.majorfitness.com.

Nick Cannon

NEW YORK, July 2, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Get ready for a wild ride! Television's longest-running urban comedy show, with over 200 episodes spanning two decades, is hitting the road for its tour, "Wild 'N Out Live: The Final Lap." Kicking off in Fall 2024, this all-ages tour will bring the show's signature high-energy, improvisational comedy to cities across the country, marking a significant milestone in comedy and television history.

For 20 years, Wild 'N Out has been more than just a show; it's been a launchpad for some of today's biggest stars, including Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, and Katt Williams. The show has also been a platform for up-and-coming comedians and musicians, providing a unique opportunity to showcase their talents to a national audience. 

Wild 'N Out has been recognized for its cultural impact, receiving an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special). Its influence extends beyond television, shaping comedy trends and fostering a generation of performers who blend humor with social commentary. 

"Wild 'N Out has been a labor of love for the past 20 years," said Nick Cannon. "We've created a platform for so many talented individuals, and it's been incredible to watch them flourish. This final lap is our way of celebrating the legacy of the show and thanking the fans who have supported us along the way." 

"This Final Lap Tour is going to be epic!" said Rip Micheals, Wild 'N Out cast member and tour creator. "Expect to see your favorite Wild 'N Out family members back on stage, with past greats going head-to-head with the new legends of comedy. We're pulling out all the stops to make this the most unforgettable tour yet.” 

The "Wild 'N Out Live: The Final Lap Tour" promises an unforgettable night of laughter and surprises. Wild 'N Out cast members from past and present will be engaging audiences with hilarious improv games and freestyle battles. Furthermore, the tour will host musical performances by some of today's hottest artists, alongside interactive audience games, allowing fans to participate in the show's iconic challenges. 

Tickets go on sale July 12. For the latest details on the tour and more, attendees are encouraged to visit www.wildnoutlivetour.com and follow Nick Cannon's social media updates. 

Tour Dates and Cities: September 1: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NVSeptember 7: Kia Center, Orlando, FLSeptember 14: Chase Center, San Francisco, CASeptember 19: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GASeptember 20: Amerant Bank Arena, Miami, FLSeptember 21: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LASeptember 27: CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MDSeptember 28: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZOctober 5: NRG Arena, Houston, TXOctober 9: United Center, Chicago, ILOctober 11: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NYOctober 18: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, CAAdditional cities and dates forthcoming. Tour dates and venues are subject to change.

About Wild 'N Out: Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out has stood as a beacon of innovation in comedy and entertainment, consistently delivering a unique blend of improv comedy, hip-hop, and celebrity appearances since its inception. Its lasting impact, celebrated over 20 years, highlights its place not just in entertainment, but as a pivotal platform for cultural expression and dialogue. Wild 'N Out is an American improvisational comedy television series created and hosted by Nick Cannon. Wild 'N Out has aired on MTV, VH1, and MTV2 and has been praised for its diverse cast, high-energy format, and cultural relevance. 

About Rip Micheals Entertainment:Rip Micheals Entertainment has been curating top-notch live comedy and music events for over a decade. Founded by comedian and entrepreneur Rip Micheals, the company is known for its groundbreaking "Wild 'N Out" live shows, the hilarious "Fall Back in Love Comedy Tour," and the uproarious "April Fool Comedy Jam." Showcasing talents like Tracy Morgan, Tiffany Haddish, Cedric the Entertainer, Brandy, Monica, Bryson Tiller, Rick Ross, and TI, Rip Micheals Entertainment consistently delivers unforgettable entertainment experiences that blend comedy and music.

Variety reports that Prison Break stars Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell are set to reunite for Snatchback, a new hostage drama series in development at Universal Television.

The official logline for Snatchback reads: “Inspired by the life of a real covert intelligence officer who is still active in the field today, the series follows a highly skilled privately contracted team of operatives as they recover hostages across the globe from some of the most exotic, and equally dangerous locations on the planet.” Scott Rosenbaum, best known for his work writing and executive producing The Shield, is set to serve as writer and executive producer on the project. Purcell will also executive produce alongside Tish Cyrus-Purcell and Dannah Axelrod Summers of HopeTown Entertainment.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this team with such talented individuals,” Tish Cyrus-Purcell said. “Rosenbaum has crafted an emotionally charged and high stakes world where Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller reunite, bringing to the screen the extraordinary heroes of a real-life private hostage recovery team.“

Miller and Purcell starred in Prison Break as brothers Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows. The original series ran for four seasons from 2006 to 2009 and was followed by a TV movie, The Final Break. They returned for a Prison Break revival in 2017, and although another season was in the early stages, Miller later said he was officially done with the series.

However, the franchise may return as it was reported last year that Mayans M.C. co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner Elgin James is developing a new Prison Break project for Hulu. The project will not follow the characters of the original series, but it will be set in the same world. James will write the series as well as executive produce alongside Prison Break creator Paul Scheuring, Dawn Olmstead, Marty Adelstein, and Neal Moritz.

Snatchback won’t be the first time Miller and Purcell have reunited since Prison Break. The pair also appeared together in The CW’s Arrowverse on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. Miller played Leonard Snart, aka Captain Cold, and Purcell played Mick Rory, aka Heat Wave.

Last Updated on August 12, 2024

Actor and ever-present gem Jeff Goldblum has one of the most distinct and unique voices in the business, with a pattern that is jazzy and riffy and a cadence that is both curious and sexual. So who better than to sell the sleekest products out there? As it turns out, Jeff Goldblum did indeed serve as spokesman for Apple in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and it may have never happened without Steve Jobs himself.

Jeff Goldblum once revealed that he was hand-picked by Apple’s co-founder for the ad gig, even though he had no idea who he was talking to at the time. “Steve Jobs called me up a few decades ago to be the voice of Apple. That was early on, and I did not know it was Steve Jobs.” With that, Goldblum would get to work selling MacIntoshes, iMacs and more to the masses. In one ad from 1999, Goldblum remarks that only 20% of people were on the internet at that time. Today, it’s estimated that around 5.4 billion people across the world are on the web – that’s close to 70%. Now, we’re not saying that Jeff Goldblum helped bump those numbers up beginning at the turn of the century, but…he totally did.

When we think “voice of Apple”, another name comes to mind other than Jeff Goldblum: Siri. And while it would be lovely to hear the gorgeous pipes of Goldblum come out of our phones, there is no evidence that Steve Jobs anticipated that technology (at least in that form) at the time. So, no, it’s extremely unlikely he wanted Goldblum in that particular role. That said, the idea of saying, “Jeff Goldblum, wake me up at 8 a.m.” sure is titillating. For what it’s worth, the original voice of Siri was Susan Bennett, 

Outside of Apple, Jeff Goldlbum has also been the spokesman for everything from beer to cars to apartments to international lotteries. But his tenure with the software giant remains his most popular pitch work – and was hopefully more likely to get you to buy their products than whatever this was supposed to be.

What is the quintessential Jeff Goldblum performance? Drop your pick below!

Last Updated on August 12, 2024

Move over Passion of the Christ – there’s a new highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time now! Indeed, Deadpool & Wolverine, after only eleven days of release, has already overtaken the lifetime gross of Mel Gibson’s classic depiction of the crucifixion of Christ, with the Marvel three-quel only five million away from a $400 million domestic total. With a $97 million weekend, which only represents a 54% week-to-week decline, the film has already bested the lifetime totals of both Deadpool and Deadpool 2. The sky seems to be the limit for what will no doubt prove to be one of Marvel’s biggest movies ever – and proof positive that an R-rating is no detriment to the box office. 

So far, the film’s international total is over $800 million, and it seems likely to pass the billion-dollar mark within a matter of days. That’s absolutely outstanding for an R-rated sequel.

Meanwhile, M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap, which features a buzz-worthy performance by Josh Hartnett, has fallen surprisingly flat at the box office. Many thought it would open in the $20 million plus range (but not us), but word of mouth, which slammed the movie with a C+ CinemaScore, is killing this one. It only made $15 million for the weekend and seems doomed to perform similarly to another movie made by a Shyamalan earlier this summer, The Watchers. 

Instead, Twisters (despite already being slapped with a PVOD date) rallied at the box office to a second-place finish. While its second weekend was largely seen as disappointing as it fell over 60%, the film only fell a modest 35% in its third weekend, grossing a solid $22.6 million for a domestic total just shy of $200 million. Despicable Me 4 also continued to perform well for family audiences, adding $11.25 million to its coffers for a $313 million domestic haul. 

Pixar’s runaway hit, Inside Out 2, came in fifth place with $6.7 million. With a domestic total of $626 million, it’s now the 12th highest grossing movie of all time at the North American box office. It should continue climbing the list in the weeks to come, with it nearly certain to crack the all-time top 10. 

However, in terms of family movies, the Zachary Levi-vehicle, Harold and the Purple Crayon, whiffed with audiences, only grossing a measly $6 million. The summer’s horror breakout, Longlegs, made $4.14 million for a $66 million domestic total, which will likely make it one of the most profitable films of the year and a smash hit for Neon. A Quiet Place: Day One also has continued to perform well, with it making another $1.4 million for a $137.4 million domestic total. The Bollywood film Daaru Na Peenda Hove came in ninth place with $615k. At the same time, Bad Boys: Ride or Die started to conclude its successful run with $600k and a domestic total of $192.9 million, making it the second-highest-grossing movie in the franchise.

Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us will be released next weekend. It has sold out preview screenings on Wednesday night nationwide and might turn out to be a surprise hit. Eli Roth’s long-delayed Borderlands adaptation also hits theaters, although no one thinks it has a chance of dethroning Deadpool & Wolverine at the top of the box office. What do you think of its box office chances? Let us know in the comments!

Last Updated on August 12, 2024

Fantasia International Film Festival is always a highlight of the summer for the horror side of JoBlo. We’re always treated to films that absolutely blow us away. The 2024 edition of Fantasia is wrapping up this weekend and there were plenty of wonderful entries throughout the festival. While not all of them panned out (I’m sadly looking at you Witchboard), there were several that are likely to remain among the year’s best. If they release this year, that is. So let’s break down some of the best that Fantasia had to offer. If you’re interested in more information, each title has been reviewed. Read our coverage HERE!

Elijah Wood stars in this fantastic story about a distant father taking his daughter on an adventure to help better their position in life. It gets dark at points but otherwise has that great Goonies tone, where you just want to crawl into the screen and join in on the fun. This fits in with other great New Zealand cinema like Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Boy. While this is pretty far from horror, it’s still a great film that will make you feel like a kid again.

One of the year’s most anticipated proved to be one of the best. Following a girl and her family as they move to the German mountains for her dad’s work, strange occurrences start happening. Delightfully weird and mysterious, Cuckoo is further proof that Hunter Schafer is an actress to keep an eye on. She really carries the film, although Dan Stevens’ performance is delightfully wacky. While I predict this movies weirdness causing division, I was 100% on board for it. I can’t wait to see what others think of it when it releases on August 8th.

Easily my favorite of the Adams Family filmography, Hell Hole is so much fun from start to finish. Following an American fracking crew in Serbia, they dig up a long hibernating monster. The monster is parasitic in nature and transfers from body to body in very gory ways. Intensely violent with an energetic score, there are some really entertaining performances as the situation gets more and more dire.

I think most of us have been curious as to what Kit Harrington would settle in doing post-Game of Thrones. And I’ve always felt like there are few better showcases for an actor than playing a werewolf. The inner turmoil and then intense physical change allows for a diverse performance. This follows a family in the English countryside who have a dark secret. The mother tries to shield the daughter from her father’s ways but curiosity gets the better of her and she seeks out answers. Filled with wonderful performances (with Caoilinn Springall being a particular highlight), this werewolf film has parallels with alcoholism, allowing it to blend fantasy with reality in a truthful way.

I can’t wait to see what films we have to look forward to at the 2025 edition. Which films are you most looking forward to? Will you try to see them in theaters? Let us know in the comments!

About the Author

Tyler Nichols is a horror fanatic who resides in Michigan and is always on the hunt for the next great film. When not scouring the internet for movie news, he is usually off watching something dark, writing nonsensical musings, or playing in some fantastical video game world. While horror takes up most of his time, he still makes time for films of all types, with a certain affinity for the strange and unusual. He’s also an expert on all things Comic Book Cinema. In addition to reviews and interviews here on JoBlo.com, Tyler also helps with JoBlo Horror Originals where he’s constantly trying to convince viewers to give lesser-known horror films a chance.

Last Updated on August 12, 2024

She wore bluuueeeee velvettttt – but she didn’t wear a cap and gown along with it. Laura Dern spent a whopping two days at UCLA before dropping out to play Sandy Williams in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. Just imagine how much Pabst Blue Ribbon she missed out on in the dorm!

Appearing on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, Laura Dern remembered being excited to land the part in Blue Velvet but running into issues with the university, who rebuked her request to take time off to work on the film. Dern insisted she would do all the required work, which the department head was reluctant to approve. “I said, ‘I have this opportunity and he said, ‘Well, I’ll look at the script if you want to give me the script, but, you know, you’re not going to get a leave of absence. It’s not going to happen. It’s not a medical emergency.’” The next day, UCLA officially refused her request, telling her to leave college over a script like Blue Velvet’s was “insane.”

Laura Dern added, “I will just end by saying after my two days, today, if you want to get a masters in film at that school, when you write a thesis there are three movies you are required to study. And you know what one of them is,” she said, referring to the 1986 film. Whether this is true or not we have yet to confirm, but it certainly has a better shot than Grizzly II: Revenge.

Even prior to Blue Velvet, Laura Dern had already been getting her movie and TV career going – no doubt in part to being the daughter of Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, her first movie being a small bit in Ladd’s White Lightning – but that she still wanted to pursue other interests, studying psychology and journalism, is quite admirable. And it’s apparently a good thing that UCLA was so finicky because Blue Velvet made her career, even earning her an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Dern would go on to work with Lynch on Wild at Heart, Inland Empire and Twin Peaks: The Return.

Today, Blue Velvet stands as one of the greatest films ever; it still divides viewers in its depictions of violence and abuse, but it is an enigmatic work from one of our most unique visionaries.

Recently, I wrote an article about how Ron Howard’s Cocoon was hard to find in any format. It came out on DVD many years ago but went out of print and has never been issued on Blu-ray. You also can’t find it digitally on any platform. This is a perfect example of why you should always hang on to your physical media, as I’m lucky enough to own the now out-of-print DVD of that movie, and while it’s far from an ideal copy, it’s something. 

But that got me thinking. What other movies are hard to find? I opened up the forum on Twitter, and I was shocked by how many prominent films aren’t available digitally and have gone out of print on disc, making them all the more precious for collectors. At the same time, there are some happy endings, such as Martin Campbell’s No Escape, which got a beautiful Blu-ray recently; too many of these films are caught up in legal limbo (or studio antipathy). 

Here are 10:

The Beach:

Danny Boyle’s adaptation of the classic Alex Garland novel has always been controversial. The casting of this movie led to a long-term rift with Ewan McGregor (who was supposed to play the lead) which was only healed when they re-teamed to do T2: Trainspotting. Leonardo DiCaprio wound up playing the role, and the film received mixed reviews when it came out. It’s actually quite a good movie, with it sporting Boyle’s classic, frenzied energy and a killer soundtrack of 2000-era electronica gems. It also led to Boyle and Garland collaborating on 28 Days Later; the rest is history. However, The Beach has never been out in North America on Blu-ray, although unlike some movies on this list, it’s easy to find digitally. You can buy a copy in HD on most digital retailers, and it’s streaming on Disney Plus in Canada and Hulu in the U.S. Still, a physical media release would be nice. 

Cocoon: 

The one that started it all. How does a movie that won Don Ameche an Oscar and revitalized the careers of Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and the great Wilford Brimley go out of print? This is the movie that made Ron Howard an A-list director, and it was enough of a smash hit that it spawned a (pretty crappy) sequel, which, ironically, is very easy to find. What’s going on here? Disney may be working on a significant restoration, but it’s been gone for a long time.

Strange Days: 

Kathryn Bigelow’s Strange Days was a major flop when it came out in 1995 but has since been reevaluated as a classic. As it stars Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Lewis and Angela Bassett and is widely considered one of the greatest films of the nineties, some significant release – possibly through a company like Criterion would seem like a no-brainer. However, Disney has been sitting on this one for a while now, with the likely culprit being that James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment owns the movie. Presumably, any redux has to be cleared by him. With The Abyss, True Lies and Aliens all getting 4K re-releases, Strange Days may be coming. This one is streaming on Max but in the wrong aspect ratio. The existing DVD is non-anamorphic, meaning it gets window-boxed on your TV unless you stretch it out.

Showtime: 

This minor Eddie Murphy/ Robert De Niro comedy made a decent amount of coin when it came out, but it wasn’t a blockbuster. Yet, it’s a decent little action comedy, with a funny performance by William Shatner as himself. While it came out on DVD in an excellent anamorphic transfer, and you can buy it digitally in HD, it’s never been issued on Blu-ray.

Dawn of the Dead: 

This one comes with a caveat. George A. Romero’s zombie classic has been released on a beautiful 4K disc internationally and is region-free. Yet, it still needs to get a North American release on 4K and isn’t available digitally, which is a shame. Younger horror fans watch most of their stuff this way, and one hates to think they could be missing out on one of the genre’s best movies. Dawn of the Dead recently got a theatrical re-release for its 45th anniversary via Redband releasing. So, perhaps a North American 4K Blu-ray release isn’t far off.

Looking for Mr. Goodbar: 

This 1977 film helped establish Diane Keaton as a star and was a significant hit. It’s based on the true story of a teacher who was played the bar scene in the early seventies and was eventually murdered by a man she had a one-night stand with. It’s a haunting film with a disturbing ending, but very hard to find. It’s only ever been released on VHS and Laserdisc, with rights issues surrounding the film’s music, which is what’s kept this in limbo. It doesn’t help that Paramount Pictures is famously slow regarding releasing library titles. Again, this would be a great one for the Criterion Collection.

UPDATE: This is apparently streaming on Paramount Plus in Europe, but NOT North America.

Something Wicked This Way Comes: 

We recently covered this movie in our series Fantasizing About Fantasy Films, which was available on DVD/ Blu-ray for a while. Yet, Disney has vaulted this Ray Bradbury adaptation, and you can’t stream it or buy it digitally, either.

The Blood of Heroes (aka Salute of the Jugger):

This post-apocalyptic action movie comes from David Webb Peoples, the writer of Blade Runner, Unforgiven and Soldier. It was a rare directorial effort that reteamed him with Rutger Hauer, who stars opposite a young Joan Chen and Vincent D’Onofrio. Legal rights limbo has kept this one obscure in North America, with various cuts circulating in bad transfers. Hopefully, it gets some kind of restoration, and it’s a neat little sci-fi movie.

John Woo’s Hong Kong Films: 

Recently, John Woo mentioned that he would love to restore his Hong Kong classics with a company like Criterion, but that the rights to most of the movies are caught up in legal limbo. The Killer and Hard Boiled are streaming and on Blu-ray (albeit in interlaced transfers), but A Better Tomorrow 1 & 2 and Bullet in the Head are MIA.

The Heartbreak Kid:

Elaine May is a revered figure on film Twitter, but her biggest hit, The Heartbreak Kid, which got remade by the Farrelly Bros, is impossible to find. This is a shame as it’s one of star Charles Gordon’s best movies and features two Oscar-nominated performances by Jeannie Berlin (also May’s daughter) and Eddie Albert. 

What titles have we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Last Updated on August 12, 2024

So many people in Hollywood knew about industry warthog Harvey Weinstein’s disgusting, illegal behavior behind the scenes but so few actually confronted him about it. There is the famous story of Brad Pitt defending Gwyneth Paltrow when she was coming up but those are few and far between. But only one man has ever come close to bashing Harvey Weinstein over the head with an Oscar statue he so desperately wanted: the King of the World himself that year, James Cameron.

On Oscar night 1998, James Cameron and Harvey Weinstein found themselves competing at the Shrine Auditorium, with the director there with odds-on favorite Titanic and Weinstein supporting the Miramax-supported Good Will Hunting. Titanic got off to the strong start it would carry for the rest of the night, while Good Will Hunting would nab only two statues. With Titanic having just won Best Editing, Cameron was about to give Weinstein an iceberg-sized ljump on his head. “So I’m on my way back to my seat with my editing Oscar, and this guy’s jumping up to introduce himself, saying, ‘If you want to come to work at a place that’s a friend of the artist, a friend of the filmmaker’ — he’s holding his hand out, and I just blew him off. It was just an ugly little moment.”

So what caused the rift between James Cameron and Harvey Weinstein? Even though Cameron hadn’t yet had firsthand issues with the mega-producer, he did hear how he treated his friend Guillermo del Toro on Mimic. “He had told me the horrible shit that Miramax pulled on him when he made his first American commercial film, Mimic, and they fired him. The actors, led by Mira Sorvino, kind of revolted and wouldn’t work until they brought him back. Then, when the film was successful and well regarded, Harvey sort of jumped up to take praise for the movie.”

As James Cameron further explained, he just about used his very first Oscar to give Harvey Weinstein a good will blunting. “I did defend Guillermo and I called Harvey on his bullsh*t, and then he got very loud and verbally abusive and almost potentially physically violent. And he was about to get clocked by an Oscar — which would’ve been highly appropriate, I think. But I wasn’t thinking about it in those terms; it was just the weapon at hand. The hysterical thing about the whole moment was people around us were saying, ‘Not here! Not here!’ It was kind of like, ‘It’s OK if you boys fight out in the alley, but don’t do it here at the Academy Awards!’”

Harvey Weinstein’s bullying and faux-ass kissing was notorious, and if you were in with him you were in — until you pissed him off, so it’s refreshing to see James Cameron not even entertain the idea of being an ally. Loyalty can go a long way in Hollywood, so good on Cameron, whose career has already outlasted Weinstein’s.

Both movies and TV will be seeing a boom in 2025 as last year’s strikes put a delay on many planned projects originally slated to release sooner. According to Deadline, the popular premium cable channel HBO, now just as popular in streaming, has just released a trailer that teases the bevy of upcoming original programming that is scheduled for later this year as well as next year. In the new preview, we’re given a look at new footage of the upcoming season of White Lotus, the upcoming season of the Sex and the City continuation, And Just Like That…, the new spin-off of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the upcoming season of the hit adaptation of The Last of Us.

In the teaser, we get a first look at Catherine O’Hara’s role in season 2 of The Last of Us. Her scenes previewed primarily involve her interactions with star Pedro Pascal in a deep-rooted character study scene. It still has not been announced what role specifically she will be playing, but from Everything We Know about season 2, the most important casting decision was Abby, a main character, with Kaitlyn Dever being selected for the role. Isabelle Merced, most recently seen in Madame Web, was chosen to play Dina. Other new characters include Jesse, played by Young Mazino (Netflix’s Beef), Mel played by Ariela Barer, Nora, played by Tati Gabrielle, and Owen played by Spencer Lord. Danny Ramirez will play Manny with Gabriel Luna returning as Joel’s brother, Tommy.

The preview footage of the next White Lotus season revealed a first look at newcomers Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola, as well as returning season one star Natasha Rothwell. We are also given sneak peeks at anticipated shows like Colin Farrell’s The Batman spin-off, The Penguin (September 19), the Dune films spin-off, Dune: Prophecy (November), The Franchise and James Gunn’s DC Studios animated series Creature Commandos (December). Also included in the trailer is footage of the upcoming 2025 slate: Duster, The Pitt and the prequel It: Welcome to Derry.

Additionally, we get a look at other returning shows like Industry (returning August 11), Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears (August 6), My Brilliant Friend (September 9), Harley Quinn (November), The Sex Lives of College Girls and The Gilded Age (2025).

James Cameron’s The Terminator is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, it’s the latest one of the director’s movies to get a radical 4K restoration done by Park Road Post, a post-production facility owned by Peter Jackson’s WingNut Films. This company is behind some of the most incredible, acclaimed restorations in recent memory, including Peter Jackson’s WWI documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, and his The Beatles’ Get Back documentary.

But they’ve also been controversial, with James Cameron using them to significantly alter the looks of several of his films as they hit 4K. Notably, each film had been completely wiped of any film-like grain, making them look more like contemporary films than those made in the 1980s and 90s. This was especially noticeable in Aliens, which always sported a grainy look due to the high-speed film stock used. With the AI-assisted transfer, Cameron made the movie look flawless, but this led to some consternation from purists, who claimed he was doing revisionist filmmaking.

This notion hit a fever pitch when the long MIA True Lies finally hit 4K, which looked radically different than in the previous transfers or theatrically. For that one, Cameron used Super35 film stock, which allowed him to shoot in a spherical format, making it easier to do pan and scan transfers back in the VHS era without simply lopping off the sides of his image. The downside to this technology was more film grain, but when it hit 4K, you’d swear True Lies was shot using the latest technology. The transfer was so controversial here on JoBlo that film preservationist Robert Harris, who gave the transfers high marks, wrote to us to clarify what was happening with the Cameron transfers, writing, “The work performed was a re-visualization. An entirely new digital product, which (to varying degrees of success) appears to have achieved Mr. Cameron’s goals.’

Some fans love the new Cameron transfer, but many fans hate them. Whatever the case, Cameron’s The Terminator has now undergone a similar “re-visualization,” which I caught theatrically yesterday. Note that The Terminator was a low-budget movie by 1984 standards, with Cameron shooting the film using a 1:85:1 matted aspect ratio. It was never as visually polished as the director’s latest films, and to be sure, Cameron hasn’t done anything too radical with the transfer here. It doesn’t suddenly look like it was shot with IMAX cameras (like True Lies), nor is it as wildly re-imagined as Universal’s recent Jaws 3 restoration.

However, the film has no grain whatsoever, and it looks pristine in a way that the film never looked back in 1984. To me, this is Cameron’s prerogative, as given how timeless the film has become, he probably wants it to look as good as it can for younger generations. I honestly thought it looked really good. My issue with the restoration has more to do with the sound mix than anything.

The Terminator was initially shot in Mono, but in the early 2000s, Cameron had the film remixed in Dolby 5.1, and it sounded a lot different than it did initially. The new restoration has a similar sound, with some of the SFX sounding “too new” in a movie shot in 1984—another movie with that problem is Tim Burton’s Batman. If Cameron had included the original mono track in the UHD release, I wouldn’t have cared, but the mono track has been unavailable for some time. 

In the end, The Terminator’s 4K release will undoubtedly prove to be another controversial Cameron upgrade for film purists, and I’m sure we’ll be writing about it again in the months to come. I’m curious: Did anyone else check it out in theatres this weekend? Let us know how you thought it looked in the comments. 

In the build-up to the release of Evil Dead Rise last year, the Evil Dead franchise rights holders Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert let it be known that they’re planning to boost this franchise in a major way, making a new sequel every two or three years. They’re staying on track for that, as it has already been announced this year that Sébastien Vaniček will be writing and directing one new Evil Dead movie while Francis Galluppi writes and directs another – and the filmmakers are given creative control over their additions to the series. Raimi also wants to make another Evil Dead movie with Campbell in the lead as franchise hero Ash, but Campbell insists that he’s retired from the role… when it comes to live-action, anyway. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Campbell confirmed that two new movies are coming our way, and that he’s also planning to voice Ash in an Evil Dead animated series!

When asked about the future of the Evil Dead franchise, Campbell told EW, “The future is two more damn movies. We’ve got two new fabulous directors that have two new scripts in the shoot, and we think we’ve suckered a studio into coughing up the dough for both, since they seem to still make money. The funny thing is, the Evil Dead movies, the last one made $140 million, and the Evil Dead movies don’t usually make that much money. They’re cheap, so they don’t have to make that much — but now that they’re making real money, it’s kinda hard to look away. And we want to do it — the last one was 10 years ago, Fede [Álvarez’s reboot] was 2013! So we want to get a little more of a pipeline for folks who still follow it, who want to see it. They want to see it in the new incarnation! We’re out of the cabin, Sam [Raimi] doesn’t have to direct, I don’t have to star as Ash. The trick is to take the elements that people like, which is innocent people being tortured by a malicious entity, and it’s people who have no skills to stop it.“

As for his future as Ash, “We are developing an animated version, like a series. I’ll do that. I’ll do Ash’s voice all day long, because my voice hasn’t aged as much as I have.”

The animated series has been in development for a while, with Campbell having said that they were “actively pursuing” the idea back in March of last year. He has also hinted that it could pick right up from the futuristic ending of the Ash vs. Evil Dead TV series.

What do you think of the future of the Evil Dead franchise? Are you looking forward to the two movies and/or the animated series? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s (read our review HERE) quickly became Blumhouse Productions’ highest-grossing movie when it reached theatres and the Peacock streaming service back in October, surpassing the likes of Split, The Invisible Man, The Black Phone, M3GAN, the recent Halloween sequel trilogy, and the Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and The Purge franchises with its haul of $295 million. So, of course, there’s a sequel coming our way, aiming for a December 5, 2025 theatrical release, and the folks at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the company that provided the animatronic creatures for the first film, are hard at work, putting together the animatronic creatures for the follow-up. Behind-the-scenes images of the process are shared on the FNAF-ScottGames X account – and a recently posted image has stirred up speculation that Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 might feature the video game character known as Toy Chica!

Here’s the image that caused the Toy Chica speculation:

That image wouldn’t mean anything to most onlookers, but fans of the Five Nights at Freddy’s video games say that’s enough for them to recognize the face of Toy Chica.

A Fandom site informs us that “Toy Chica is a major antagonist and one of the toy animatronics of the Five Nights at Freddy’s series, first appearing in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. She is Chica’s redesigned counterpart from the past and an improved replacement of Chica’s pre-rebuilt incarnation Withered Chica, serving as the backup singer of the newly refurbished Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza of 1987. Toy Chica takes the appearance of a stereotypical feminine character. She is a yellow-orange chicken with an orange beak, blue eyes, purple eyelids, long eyelashes, and orange feet. She has a few stray “feathers” that stick out from the top of her head. She has reddish pink cheeks, like the other toy animatronics, though hers are pink rather than red. She wears a reddish pink pants. Unlike her original counterpart, Toy Chica’s body is noticeably curvy, rather than simply round and ovular like the original Chica’s. Just like the original Chica, Toy Chica has a bib. However, her bib reads “LET’S PARTY!” rather than “LET’S EAT!!!” The bib also has tiny colorized flecks (being green, blue, yellow and pink) like the original Chica, which appear like tiny pizza slices or confetti. She wears a pink bikini bottom on her lower body and almost always carries a pink cupcake with large eyes, similar to the one her original counterpart held on the Show Stage. While on the Show Stage, Toy Chica can be seen with her normal eyes, eyelids, and beak. However, she removes them once she leaves the stage, and she can be seen beakless and eyeless—save for her glossy-black eyes with white pupils (for paranormal reasons)—in the cameras in various rooms. Without her beak, her endoskeleton teeth, which resemble human teeth, are visible. She looks like she’s smiling when lacking her beak. Her eyelids are also missing, exposing the metal ones of an endoskeleton.“

Five Nights at Freddy’s stars Hutcherson alongside Matthew Lillard (Scream), Mary Stuart Masterson (Benny & Joon), Elizabeth Lail (You), Piper Rubio (Holly & Ivy), and Kat Conner Sterling (A Week Away). The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.

Stunt performers Kevin Foster (WandaVision), Jade Kindar-Martin (Interview with the Vampire), and Jess Weiss (Mayfair Witches) play the animatronics Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, and Chica.

The video game takes place in Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a darker version of Chuck-E-Cheese, where an animatronic animal band performs kiddy songs by day, and goes on murderous rampages by night. The goal of the game is survive a night locked inside, knowing that a furry death machine might jump out of the dark at any moment.

The adaptation was originally set up at Warner Bros., where Gil Kenan (Monster House) was going to direct the film from a screenplay he was writing with Tyler Burton Smith (the Child’s Play remake). Then the project moved over to Blumhouse, where Chris Columbus (Home Alone) was attached to direct it for several years. It finally went into production with Emma Tammi – director of The Wind, Into the Dark: Delivered, and Into the Dark: Blood Moon – at the helm, working from a screenplay she wrote with Seth Cuddeback (Mateo) and video game creator Scott Cawthon. Tragedy Girls writers Tyler MacIntyre and Chris Lee Hill share story credit with Cawthon.

Five Nights at Freddy’s was produced by Blumhouse, in association with Striker Entertainment. Cawthon is a producer alongside Blumhouse founder Jason Blum. Russell Binder is executive producing. As mentioned, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop handled the special effects that bring the homicidal animatronic animals to life on the screen.

Are you a Five Nights at Freddy’s fan, and are you hoping to see Toy Chica in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Following the success of their feature debut, the horror film Talk to Me, the directing duo of Danny and Michael Philippou signed on to make a new film adaptation of the Street Fighter video game franchise, started developing a Talk to Me sequel titled Talk 2 Me, and let it be known that they had already shot some sort of Talk to Me prequel (but it’s not clear if or when we’ll get to see that footage), had an action drama project they’d like to make, and also had a horror script called Bring Her Back that they wanted to get into production. They were so dedicated to getting Bring Her Back made that they dropped Street Fighter in favor of their horror movie, which started filming earlier this year. Now Michael Philippou has taken to social media to let his followers know that Bring Her Back has wrapped after 41 days of filming!

Bring Her Back is coming our way from A24, the company that also sent Talk to Me out into the world. The film is being produced by Talk To Me producers Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton of Causeway Films. A Deadline report about the film revealed that the Philippous are also working on “a documentary project inspired by their own journey into the world of international underground deathmatch wrestling.”

Plot details are also being kept under wraps, but we do know that the cast of Bring Her Back includes Billy Barratt (Invasion), Jonah Wren Philips (Sweet Tooth), Sally-Anne Upton (Wentworth), Stephen Phillips (The Leftovers), newcomer Sora Wong, and two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins of The Shape of Water and Blue Jasmine. Details on the characters these actors will be playing have not been revealed.

In case you missed Talk to Me, that movie has the following synopsis: When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Sophia Wilde (You Don’t Know Me), Miranda Otto (Annabelle: Creation), Alexandra Jensen (Frayed), Joe Bird (First Day), Otis Djanji (Aquaman), and Zoe Terakes (Wentworth) star.

Are you a fan of Talk to Me, and are you looking forward to seeing what the Philippous do with Bring Her Back? Now that filming has wrapped, let us know by leaving a comment below.

We’re just days away from having the chance to see director Fede Álvarez’s contribution to the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, which is set to reach theatres on August 16th – and during an interview with SFX magazine, Álvarez revealed that he was so dedicated to trying to make his movie look like Ridley Scott’s original Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens, he even compared his shots to scans of a 35mm print of Alien and drew inspiration from concept art that was created for that film and its sequel.

Álvarez told the magazine, “We have a scan of the original 35mm print of Alien and we put it on the screen side by side with ours. Obviously that would do nothing if we didn’t do our job on the day (with the lighting).” The events of this film take place in between the events of Scott’s Alien and Cameron’s Aliens, and the director said that, “Visually, half of the work is that: just making sure that it looks like you’re in that universe.“

Álvarez added that he and production designer Naaman Marshall worked hard to make sure the Alien: Romulus sets would look like the Alien and Aliens sets and went through concept art Ron Cobb created for those movies. “We dug out a lot of concept art that was done for those movies that wasn’t even used, and figured out a way to be inspired by that and put it in this movie.“

When this project was announced near the start of 2022, it was said that Álvarez pitched the idea to Ridley Scott years ago and it stuck with Scott. So in late 2021, he called Álvarez and asked if he still wanted to make an Alien movie. Clearly, the answer was yes. 20th Century Studios division president Steve Asbell told The Hollywood Reporter that they picked up the project “purely off the strength of Fede’s pitch. It was just a really good story with a bunch of characters you haven’t seen before.“

It has also been said that the story Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues crafted for Alien: Romulus is not connected to the other films in the Alien franchise – but it’s not ignoring any of the other entries, either. Álvarez has been clear about the fact that his story takes place within the established franchise continuity. In fact, it slots right in between the events of Alien and Aliens. It has the following official logline: The sci-fi/horror-thriller takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla), Isabela Merced (Madame Web), David Jonsson (Industry), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Spike Fearn (The Batman), and Aileen Wu (Away from Home). Merced has previously said there’s a scene in the film that’s so disgusting that a lot of viewers will have to look away. Graphic and gruesome is what we expected from this movie as soon as it was announced that it was being made by the director of Evil Dead 2013 and Don’t Breathe. It has received an R rating for bloody violent content and language.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Romulus, and are you glad to hear that Fede Álvarez was so dedicated to making sure his film looks like Alien and Aliens? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Design First Residential Remodeling Logo

ITASCA, Ill., July 2, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Design First Builders, LLC, has announced the acquisition of DDK Kitchen Design Group, with offices in both Glenview IL and Wilmette IL. As a two-generation family-owned business, DDK Kitchen Design Group has built a strong reputation for excellence in kitchen remodeling over four decades.

Dan Thompson, the founder of DDK Kitchen Design Group, expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating: "I am delighted to join the Design First Builders family. Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with the values that have defined DDK Kitchen Design Group. I am thrilled at the expanded services and possibilities they will bring to the North shore homeowners."

Design First Builders, known for their design expertise, premium quality and excellent client satisfaction, see the transaction as a perfect match to continue DDK Kitchen Design Group’s two-generation legacy, and expand service offerings in the Northern Chicago neighborhood. Design First Builders CEO Jordan Zhu remarked: "DDK and Design First teams have a lot in common: we always put customer experience at the front and center, caring for employees and partners, and focusing on quality, innovation and continuous improvements. We are very excited for this partnership, and the added services we could bring to the Northern communities in the Chicagoland area."

The acquisition of DDK Kitchen Design Group by Design First Builders, LLC completed in June 2024. Both companies are working closely to ensure a smooth transition for clients and employees alike.

Contact:

Heather Hudson

hhudson@d1builders.com

630-250 -7777

###

About Design First Builders:

Design First Builders is a long established residential remodeling company known for its commitment to integrity, innovation, and superior craftsmanship, consistently surpassing client expectations across various projects including new custom homes, kitchens, additions, basements, and bath designs in many neighborhoods like Elmhurst, Naperville, Hinsdale, Park Ridge and Arlington Heights. Their comprehensive services include an In-house Project Management System for accurate estimating, smooth transitions to architecture & interior design, and effective production and contractor management alignment. Additionally, their Custom Cabinet Manufacturing division offers extensive customization, significantly reduces lead times, maintains premium quality, and integrates a Standardized Communication Tool, providing clients with a customized portal for real-time job calendars, order tracking, and seamless communication. Design First Builders stands as a trusted partner in bringing architectural visions to life in the greater Chicagoland area.

About DDK Kitchen Design Group:

DDK Kitchen Design Group is a respected provider of premium kitchen design services known for creativity, quality craftsmanship, and exceptional customer service. DDK consistently exceeds client expectations, reflecting their unique vision and lifestyle. Clients in Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park, Glencoe and Glenview allow us to capture their vision and bring it to life. Their passion for expert design and client satisfaction have made them a leader in the industry. DDK continues to set the standard for innovative yet personalized kitchen designs.

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

Netflix’s runaway hit series One Piece sets sail for the anticipated season 2. The manga adaptation became such a success that Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis, who is a vet of the film industry, has been lobbying for a role in the next season as the character Doctor Kureha. Curtis, who recently started production on Freaky Friday 2, had taken to her social media with photoshopped images of her in the role, which even got the attention of the show’s official accounts.

While fans wait for that announcement, Variety has reported on the casting of several villains in the upcoming season. Daniel Lasker, known from Raised by Wolves, has been cast to play Mr. 9, Batwoman’s Camrus Johnson will be added to season 2 as Mr. 5, Jazzara Jaslyn, who can be seen in Warrior, will be playing Miss Valentine and Late Night With the Devil star David Dastmalchian will be portraying the role of Mr. 3. These four characters are known from the source material as key members of the criminal syndicate Baroque Works.

“Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other,” reads the official synopsis. “Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.“

One Piece stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Additional cast includes Vincent Regan, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Jeff Ward, Celeste Loots, Alexander Maniatis, McKinley Belcher III, Craig Fairbrass, Steven Ward, Chioma Umeala and Michael Dorman. The first season of One Piece is now streaming on Netflix, so be sure to check out a review from our own Alex Maidy.

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

PLOT: Years after the harrowing events of X, Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) is working as an adult film star in Los Angeles. Just as she lands a breakthrough part in a horror flick, a demented killer starts murdering the people in her life, and now, to save her life and career, she’ll have to face her past.

REVIEW: Ti West’s MaXXXine is the third instalment of a career-defining trilogy for the director and his star, Mia Goth. The actress received some of the best notices of her career for the last film in the series, Pearl, and her double role in X made her a genre icon. MaXXXine is a star vehicle for her through and through, but while she delivers a good performance again, the film can’t help but pale compared to its somewhat scrappier predecessors.

With MaXXXine, West is working with a bigger budget, with the movie peppered with stars, including everyone from Halsey to Lily Collins to Kevin Bacon and more. The film is a riff on eighties sleaze cinema, with heavy references to everything from 1984’s Angel to Body Double, Vice Squad and beyond. Yet, in constructing a whacked-out eighties fantasia, the horror aspect seems to have gotten lost somewhat. While there’s plenty of gore, the film is better as a nasty riff on the eighties, complete with copious amounts of cocaine and needle drops, than a horror flick.

Whatever the case, it’s clear that West has taken the opportunity to make exactly the film he wanted, overflowing with love aimed at those sleazy VHS movies many of us grew up watching at sleepovers. West has the perfect lead in Goth, with her once again digging her teeth into the role. The movie opens with a quote from Bette Davis, and in some ways, she’s become the horror version of that famous actress, with her delivering the kind of big, broad performance few would dare. With her affected southern bible belt accent, she doesn’t just chew on the scenery – she devours it. What makes Goth so good, though, is how utterly devoted she seems to inhabiting the character, and it’s a shame she’s never gotten the recognition she deserves for her acting in this series.

It can’t be denied that MaXXXine is a little less her show than the other films. West loads the movie with eighties set pieces, and some of the movie nods are laid on a little thick. There’s one very random scene where Kevin Bacon shows up dressed like Jack Nicholson in Chinatown that felt a little too on the nose to me (pun intended if you’ve seen that classic).

Everyone seems to have fun with their roles, with Bacon hamming it up as a sleazy P.I., while Giancarlo Esposito seems to be having a whale of a time as Maxine’s bargain basement agent. Elizabeth Debicki plays Maxine’s icy director, rocking some eighties shoulder pads that make her look like she walked off the set of Dynasty (in a good way). Lily Collins and Halsey have little more than walk-ons, but I enjoyed Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Monaghan as the two hard-boiled L.A cops on Maxine’s trail.

The movie’s biggest star is probably L.A. itself, with West lovingly recreating the way the town looked in that era (on film, anyway). Skid Row and the Hollywood Hills are as much of a star of the movie as Goth is.

So why then didn’t I love it? That’s the strange thing, as I’m a vast eighties nerd and a lot of MaXXXine’s aesthetic works for me. But it also tries to be a little self-conscious about how much of a pastiche of other movies it is, and the nods at eighties excess, such as Maxine’s coke use, feel heavy-handed. And there’s also the fact that despite buckets of gore, the movie is almost too much of a parody to work as a horror film in its own right. This was a line the last two movies could tow a little bit better than this one. They do a good job tying the bad guys here into the Satanic Panic of the era and the actual killings being done by The Night Stalker. Still, the ultimate reveal is predictable, and the finale feels anticlimactic.

All that said, while MaXXXine was more of a mixed bag for me than I thought it would be, I still had a reasonable amount of fun with it. West is nothing if not stylish, while Goth is always captivating in the role. Heck, if they make another movie in the series, I’d still be on board, but it can’t be denied that of the three movies, this one is the weakest of the bunch. 

6

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Viewer Ratings (0 reviews)

Last Updated on June 27, 2024

With Here, Robert Zemeckis yet again takes audiences on a journey through time, with the core leads from Forrest Gump — Tom Hanks and Robin Wright — in tow. Plus, he’s using advanced special effects technology for de-aging for the cast. And now, thanks to Sony Pictures, we’ve got our first look at this buzzy flick in the trailer, which is embedded above!

Scripted by Forrest Gump screenwriter Eric Roth and based on Richard McGuire’s 2014 graphic novel of the same name, Here takes place across a century in a single location: a home that is, over time, inhabited by the likes of a couple at the turn of the 20th century (Michelle Dockery and Gwilym Lee), an inventor and a pin-up model during the 1920s (David Fynn and Ophelia Lovibond), baby boomer Richard and the love of his life, Margaret (Hanks and Wright), and Richard’s parents, Al (Paul Bettany) and Rose (Kelly Reilly). We’ll be seeing Hanks’ character age from a teenager to an 80-year-old as the film goes on.

Zemeckis revealed that Here has a running time of 104 minutes, and the camera never moves from a fixed position inside the home that entire time. He told Vanity Fair, “The single perspective never changes, but everything around it does. It’s actually never been done before. There are similar scenes in very early silent movies, before the language of montage was invented. But other than that, yeah, it was a risky venture. That’s the excitement of it. What passes by this view of the universe? I think it’s an interesting way to do a meditation on mortality. It taps into the universal theme that everything passes.“

In an age where the general public has a shorter attention span as they’re moving quickly through life and have ample of distractions at their fingertips with smartphones, it will be interesting to see how audiences respond to a stagnant angle of a full feature.

Here will be entering the universe at its allotted time and space on November 15.

About the Author

E.J. is a News Editor at JoBlo, as well as a Video Editor, Writer, and Narrator for some of the movie retrospectives on our JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, including Reel Action, Revisited and some of the Top 10 lists. He is a graduate of the film program at Missouri Western State University with concentrations in performance, writing, editing and directing.

Back in 1976, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Stan Lee was able to score the licensing rights to bring Toho’s iconic monster Godzilla into the Marvel world. Running for 24 issues from 1977 to 1979, the Godzilla, King of the Monsters comic book series, written by Doug Moench and drawn by Herb Trimpe, saw Godzilla rampaging through the United States and taking on the likes of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the Fantastic Four, Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy, the Champions, and the Avengers. Marvel will soon be re-printing the entire run of Godzilla, King of the Monsters in color for the first time, and to celebrate they have unveiled fifteen variant covers for upcoming comic books – covers that feature Marvel heroes facing off with Godzilla! You can check them out at the bottom of this article, thanks to Marvel.

Here’s what Marvel had to say about all of this Godzilla action: This year, Marvel Comics proudly reprints its classic ‘70s Godzilla comic book series in GODZILLA #1 FACSIMILE EDITION and the highly-anticipated GODZILLA: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS, collecting Doug Moench and Herb Trimpe’s entire 24-issue run in color for the first time! To celebrate this exciting collaboration with Toho International, the Japanese studio’s U.S.-based subsidiary that has brought global sensation Godzilla to life, Marvel Comics will also be producing brand-new Godzilla Variant Covers on select issues this September. See the King of the Monsters tower over iconic Marvel characters in 21 explosive covers! Drawn by some of the industry’s hottest artists, these breathtaking battles and daring team-ups depict Godzilla alongside super hero icons including the Avengers, the X-Men, Spider-Man, and Deadpool.

Godzilla #1 Facsimile Edition is a re-printing of Godzilla, King of the Monsters issue #1 on its own, “re-presented in its original form, ads and all!” Godzilla: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus gathers all 24 issues together.

As they said, there will be 21 Godzilla variant covers, and only 15 have been unveiled so far. So there are six 6 covers we haven’t gotten a look at yet.

Will you be collecting Marvel’s re-printing of Godzilla, King of the Monsters and/or the Godzilla variant covers? Take a look at the covers below, then let us know by leaving a comment.

AMC will be airing the season 2 finale of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire this Sunday – but they’re not going to leave viewers wondering if there’s going to be a season 3 order. They have already sent out a press release confirming that they have renewed Interview with the Vampire for a third season… and they even provided a plot synopsis that confirms season 3 is moving on to the events of the second novel in Rice’s Vampire Chronicles series, The Vampire Lestat!

Here’s the synopsis: Resentful of the perfunctory portrayal in the trashy bestseller Interview With the Vampire, the Vampire Lestat sets his story straight in a way only the Vampire Lestat can — by starting a band and going on tour. Gabrielle. Nicholas. Magnus. Marius. Those Who Must Be Kept. They join Louis, Armand, Molloy, Sam, Raglan, Fareed and others we can’t tell you about yet on a sexy pilgrimage across space, time and trauma. No Auto-Tuning. No Trigger Warnings. All Feels Amplified.

Season 2 of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire stars Sam Reid as the vampire Lestat; Jacob Anderson as Lestat’s companion Louis de Pointe du Lac; Assad Zaman as Rashid, Louis’ companion in present day; Kalyne Coleman as Louis’ sister Grace; Christian Robinson as Levi, an upstanding Baptist who has won Grace’s heart; and Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy, an investigative journalist nearing the end of his career who’s given a second chance at the interview of a lifetime. For season 2, Ben Daniels (Foundation) joins the cast as the vampire Santiago. And while Bailey Bass played the vampire Claudia in the first season, Delainey Hayles takes over the role in the second season. Guest stars include David Costabile (Suits) as Leonard, “a seasoned TV personality who has a run-in with Molloy”; Roxane Duran (Riviera) as Madeleine, and Bally Gill (Slow Horses) as “Real Rashid.”

Alan Taylor, who directed the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark, executive produces Interview with the Vampire and directed the first two episodes of the show. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul producer Mark Johnson is overseeing the building of AMC’s Vampire Chronicles franchise. Rolin Jones, co-creator and showrunner on the first season of the HBO series Perry Mason, is the creator, showrunner, and writer of the Interview with the Vampire series. Jones and Johnson executive produce the show alongside Taylor. Anne Rice’s son Christopher Rice is also on board as executive producer, and Rice receives an executive producer credit as well.

Jones has recently said (in a conversation with Collider) that The Vampire Lestat is the next book he would adapt for the screen if the series were to continue, and that’s exactly what’s happening. While adapting Interview with the Vampire, he has also worked in elements from the Rice novels The Queen of the Damned, The Vampire Armand, The Tale of the Body Thief, and Prince Lestat.

Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, provided the following statement: “When you buy the rights to 18 Anne Rice novels that have sold more than 150 million copies, in your wildest dreams you hope there’s a show as good as Interview on the other end. What Rolin has done with these stories and characters, working so closely with Mark, as the steward of this universe, has exceeded the loftiest version of our expectations. We can’t wait to see where this creative team takes the series from here and know we are walking alongside an incredibly loyal and passionate base of fans who feel as strongly about this material as we do.“

Jones added: “Thank you to the brilliant casts and crews of the first two seasons that got us to this day. Thank you to the rabid, beautifully unwell fandom that scaled the castle walls to get us to this day. Thank you to Dan McDermott, Ben Davis for the funds and tools to continue the great work of dramatizing Anne Rice’s extraordinary novels. And sincere apologies to the family and friends of actor Sam Reid, for the possession that continues to this day. Monsieur L extends his promise to return his body upon cancellation (may that evening never come).“

Interview with the Vampire is part of AMC’s endeavor to build a franchise called the Anne Rice Immortal Universe out of Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, and the Mayfair Witch books. In addition to this show and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, they have also ordered a series about the secretive society called the Talamasca.

Are you glad to hear that Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire will continue on for a season 3 that draws from The Vampire Lestat? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The planned Harry Potter TV series at Warner Bros. has been in development for the past few years and the studio made the announcement earlier this year that they’re aiming for a 2026 release. The new TV series adaptation will be transforming each of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels into a single season, meaning that the entire series could span seven seasons or more. David Zaslav revealed that he met with J.K. Rowling in London for the high-profile project back in February.

The Hollywood Reporter has now revealed that the show has hired on some key creative team members to guide the Harry Potter series adaptation. Succession‘s Francesca Gardiner has been tapped to be the writer and showrunner, while Mark Mylod has signed on to direct multiple episodes. Both Gardiner and Mylod have won Emmys for their work on Succession as producers, as well as their similar respective positions as writer and director.

Recently it was reported that HBO and Max content CEO Casey Bloys is “changing the delineation” in regards to the distribution. Upcoming shows that were developed exclusively for Max will switch over to HBO and the Harry Potter series is included. “We felt like we had to delineate between an HBO show and a Max show,” Bloys said. “The idea of using Warner Bros. IP as a delineation for Max felt right. At least that gives you a clear lane. But as we started producing those shows, we were using the same methods, the same kind of thinking, as how we would approach HBO shows. In a lot of cases, the same talent that has worked on HBO shows.“

The director of many of the Harry Potter films, David Yates, will not continue with the property. Back when Yates was promoting Pain Hustlers, he stated, “Do you know what? Honestly, I could not, in any conceivable way, get involved…It’s simply: I spent a long time at that school, in those corridors and in those classrooms, and it was an exquisite experience and one I will always treasure. But to go back and do another year or two, for me, I feel I’ve left it.”

Last year, the studio released a statement saying, “Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”

About the Author

E.J. is a News Editor at JoBlo, as well as a Video Editor, Writer, and Narrator for some of the movie retrospectives on our JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, including Reel Action, Revisited and some of the Top 10 lists. He is a graduate of the film program at Missouri Western State University with concentrations in performance, writing, editing and directing.

Lionsgate will be bringing a new version of The Crow to theatres on August 23rd – and while we had previously been referring to this project as a remake, Lionsgate recently let it be known that this is not to be called a remake, but rather a new adaptation of the source material, the comic book series created by James O’Barr. Whatever you want to call this franchise reboot, one thing we know for sure about this take on The Crow is that the Motion Picture Association ratings board has given it an R rating for strong bloody violence, gore, language, sexuality/nudity, and drug use.

Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) directed this version of The Crow, working from a screenplay by Oscar nominee Zach Baylin (King Richard). The film is produced by Victor Hadida, Molly Hassell, John Jencks, and Edward R. Pressman. Dan Farah serves as executive producer. Here’s the synopsis: Soulmates Eric (Bill Skarsgard) and Shelly (FKA twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.

As the synopsis mentions, Bill Skarsgard plays the lead character and is joined in the cast of The Crow by singer FKA twigs, who takes on the role of Shelly, the love of Eric’s life. Danny Huston (Yellowstone) plays the lead villain. David Bowles (Brothers), Isabella Wei (1899), Laura Birn (A Walk Among the Tombstones), Sami Bouajila (The Bouncer), and Jordan Bolger (Peaky Blinders) are also in the cast.

Based on the comic book series created by James O’Barr, the first version of The Crow was released in 1994. Following the production of three sequels (each about a different resurrected character), a redux was first announced in late 2008… then it had to make a long journey through development hell. Several screenwriters came and went, scripts were written and scrapped, studios went bankrupt, and directors like Stephen Norrington, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Corin Hardy, and Francisco Javier Gutiérrez were all involved along the way. Actors up for the lead role during the long development period included Bradley Cooper, Mark Wahlberg, Tom Hiddleston, Luke Evans, Jason Momoa, and Jack Huston.

Are you looking forward to The Crow reboot? What do you think of the reasons given for the film’s R rating? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

When was Bruce Willis at the peak of his popularity? It’s hard to say because, truth be told, the man has been a superstar for almost as long as I’ve been alive. When I was in Kindergarten, he was rockin’ the airwaves on Moonlighting and cutting an album, peddling Seagram’s Wine Coolers and starring in hit movies like Blind Date, and this was BEFORE Die Hard. Yet, that 1988 movie took him to another level, with Die Hard 2 and The Last Boy Scout solidifying him as a major, major action star. Yet, one movie almost always overlooked in his filmography is a thriller he did for Sony Pictures that was sandwiched between two against-type turns, one being in Death Becomes Her, the other being in Pulp Fiction. The movie is Striking Distance, and it’s the subject of this month’s The Best Movie You Never Saw!

Here’s the official synopsis: They shouldn’t have put him in the water, if they didn’t want him to make waves. Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis) is a maverick cop who’s not afraid to rock the boat in pursuit of a sadistic serial killer. Demoted to river patrol after suggesting the killer may be a fellow police officer, he initiates an unauthorized investigation which kicks the high-powered plot into overdrive. His new partner (Sarah Jessica Parker) climbs aboard with a surprise of her own as the conspiracy closes around them for a wake-trailing drama about honor, loyalty and family.

Striking Distance is one of the least-known Bruce Willis action movies. During his career heyday, Willis was keen on mixing up the types of films he made. He’s often carved time out for supporting roles in dramas like Nobody’s Fool, Mortal Thoughts, or Billy Bathgate to work with people he admired or to take a chance on directors like Tarantino, Terry Gilliam and M. Night Shyamalan, who each directed him in classics. But, the studios liked him in action thrillers, so he made a few of those too, but curiously, movies like this one, Mercury Rising, The Jackal and a few others tended to be less successful than the ones he stuck his neck out for – go figure.

Yet, as a Bruce Willis fan, I watched all the movies growing up and liked them well enough. Striking Distance was a legit star vehicle for Bruce, although it was a movie that went through a tortured production history as it made its way to the screen, and the seams are pretty visible throughout, even if it’s still a good time.

In it, Willis plays a Pittsburg cop named Tom Hardy – yes – just like the actor, who’s unpopular on the force because he just testified against his partner, Robert Pastorelli’s Jimmy Detillo – who’s also his cousin – for police brutality. He’s also been on the trail of a serial killer dubbed The Polish Hill Strangler, who he’s convinced is a cop. On their way to the policeman’s ball, Jimmy and his cop father, Vince (played by the great John Mahoney) get a tip and wind up in a car chase with the killer, leaving his dad dead and Jimmy convinced that the suspect they eventually nab is the wrong guy. At the same time, Jimmy commits suicide, alienating him further from the boys in blue, with him losing his detective’s shield and being assigned to the city’s River Rescue Squad. 

Three years later, the Polish Hill Strangler, who’s supposed to have been caught, re-emerges and starts killing women, all of whom are former lovers of Tom’s, leaving him as the prime suspect. So, what’s a guy to do? Clear his name, of course.

The story goes that Striking Distance was initially designed as more of a Jagged Edge-style thriller called Three Rivers, signifying the rivers the bodies of the dead women are being dumped in. Watching the movie, it’s not hard to imagine that Tom’s innocence might have been more in question in original cuts, but somewhere along the way, the studio financing the movie, Sony, who was coming off several flops, had the co-writer/ director, Rowdy Herrington, of Road House fame, reshoot chunks of the film to make it more of an action movie.

If you watch the version that’s out, there are a few dead giveaways about when the re-shooting happened. Throughout most of the movie, Willis sports a receding hairline with a relatively thin crown of hair that looks natural. After shooting the film, he shaved his head to do Pulp Fiction. To match the continuity in reshoots, they gave him a wig, which, I believe, is why his hair looks thicker in many of the action sequences, particularly the showdown with the killer, where his wig falls off during the big kill sequence.

In many ways, Sony might have gotten nervous. It was because audiences liked Willis in action roles, and the thriller aspects of the movie were middling at best. Yet, it’s still entertaining. I especially like the cast, which is led by Sarah Jessica Parker, Jimmy’s new partner, who makes eyes at him from the moment they meet. It turns out she’s an IA agent investigating him, which makes her one of the most unprofessional, morally compromised cops of all time, but then again, she and Willis look good together and have a sexy love scene, so it’s okay. The supporting cast is top-shelf, but here’s where it gets sad. Nearly all of them are dead. Dennis Farina plays Willis’s Uncle and adversarial captain. Dead. Tom Sizemore plays one of his cousins – the good one. Dead. Robert Pastorelli plays the other cousin – the bad one. Also dead. Then there’s John Mahoney as his father. He’s dead, too. Even Brion James, as a cop giving Willis a hard time, is long dead, as is a baby-faced Andre Braugher, who has a small role as an IA cop. It’s pretty sad, although director Rowdy Harrington is still with us, with him having written a Michael Douglas movie called Blood Knot.

So, is Striking Distance a Bruce Willis classic? No, but it is fun, with a fantastic car chase at the beginning of the movie, some classic Bruce Willis attitude and a terrific cast that includes a standout performance by Murphy Brown’s Robert Pastorelli as the movie’s way too easy to predict bad guy. With Willis retiring due to medical issues, we’re all pouring over his cinematic legacy and re-evaluating some more obscure titles. This has always been an enjoyable one, and if you love the guy – as we all do here at JoBlo – it’s worth checking out.

Season 2 of the Netflix series Wednesday is currently in production – but in between working on the two seasons of that show, Emma Myers, who plays Wednesday Addams’ werewolf roommate Enid Sinclair on Wednesday, has also managed to fit in a season of a show where she plays the lead character: a series adaptation of the Holly Jackson novel A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (pick up a copy HERE), a project we first heard about nearly one year ago to the date. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder to set to premiere on July 1st on BBC iPlayer in the UK, Stan in Australia, and ThreeNow in New Zealand, with a Netflix release to follow on August 1st. With those dates right around the corner, a trailer for the show has made its way online, and you can check it out in the embed above.

The six-episode first season, which was adapted by Poppy Cogan and directed by Dolly Wells, sees Myers taking on the role of 17-year-old Pip Fitz-Amobi. Smart and single minded, she isn’t sure about whether, five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh. But if Sal Singh isn’t a murderer and the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

Here’s the official logline: The series takes place five years after a murder-suicide shook the town of Little Kilton. Popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. At least, that’s what everyone believes, including the police. Case closed, right? But Pip Fitz-Amobi (Myers), now a high school senior herself, sees how the gruesome murder still has a grip on her hometown, and she thinks there’s more to the story. Pip begins an investigation of her own as she looks into the case for her senior project, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. But if Sal didn’t do it, that means a murderer is still out there — and Pip herself may now be in danger. 

Myers is joined in the cast by Zain Iqbal, Anna Maxwell Martin, Gary Beadle, Mathew Baynton, India Lillie Davies, Rahul Pattni, Henry Ashton, Mitu Panicucci, Orla Hill, Ephraim O.P. Sampson, Carla Woodcock, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi, Jessica Webber, Matthew Khan, Georgia Aaron, Oliver Wickham, Adam Astill, Annabel Mullion, Jude Morgan-Collie, Raiko Gohara, Asha Banks, and Yali Topol Margalith.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is coming our way from Moonage Pictures and producer Florence Walker. Jackson, Wells, and Cogan serve as executive producers alongside Moonage Pictures’ Matthew Read, Matthew Bouch, and Frith Tiplady, as well as the BBC’s Lucy Richer and Danielle Scott-Haughton.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was the first in a series of three novels. The other two books in the series are Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good as Dead. There’s also a prequel novella called Kill Joy. Author Jackson provided the following statement: “I hope viewers will love discovering (or rediscovering) all the secrets and lies of our small English town — Little Kilton. Viewers can expect laugh-out-loud moments from all the teenage antics, but also all the pulse-pounding twists you’d find in the darkest of thrillers. Heartbreak, tears, gasps, swooning at all the PipRavi moments brought to life, watching behind a cushion, cursing my name … be prepared for it all when A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder hits your screens later this year.“

What did you think of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trailer? Will you be watching this show? Let us know by leaving a comment below.