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From the private clubs and highrises of New York to the sweltering oil fields of West Texas, B.J. Novak’s “Vengeance,” in theaters July 29, dives into a fish-out-of-water story. “The Office” alum Novak, who also wrote and stars in the dark comedy, plays Ben, a writer for The New Yorker and wannabe podcaster who finds himself traveling to a remote Texas town.

Cinematographer Lyn Moncrief wanted audiences to understand the sudden shift in perspective Ben is experiencing. Early in the film, Ben is in New York trying to pitch his new podcast idea. “It’s a darkly lit scene,” Moncrief explains. It’s nighttime when he gets a call from Ty (Boyd Holbrook), the brother of Abilene (Lio Tipton), a former hookup who has died from an apparent overdose. Ben has been asked to come to the funeral, and on a whim, he does.

As Ben arrives at the airport,...

(L to R) Ashton Kutcher as Quentin Sellers and B.J. Novak as Ben Manalowitz in Vengeance, written and directed by B.J. Novak and released by Focus Features. Credit: Patti Perret / Focus Features

As Summer begins its transformation into Fall, the studios are still offering virtual getaways at the local multiplex. This newest “travel tale’ also combines the popular theme of the “fish out of water” with a protagonist in very unfamiliar surroundings. Now, the movie marketing folks are hitting this aspect hard in the trailers and TV spots, making it appear to be an edgy modern spin on the cult fave TV sitcom “Green Acres” where a “city feller'” was flummoxed by the simple “country folk” (who often got the better of him). Oh but don’t be misled. There’s a lot more going on in this film since it comes from one of the busiest creative minds in the media today.

(L to R) B.J. Novak as Ben Manalowitz and Boyd Holbrook as Ty Shaw in Vengeance, directed and written by B.J. Novak and released by Focus Features. Credit: Patti Perret/Focus Features

Wamg is giving away 2 free passes to the St. Louis advance screenIng of Vengeance.

Date And Time:

July 27, 2022 at 7:00pm at Wehrenberg Ronnies 20 Cine

The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed. Rated R.

Enter at the link below. Winners will be selected on Mon, 7/25, at 1pm: http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/main/sweepstakes/zCdzs51079

Focus Features will release Vengeance in theaters on Friday, July 29th

https://www.focusfeatures.com/vengeance

Ben Manalowitz (B.J. Novak) is an aspiring New York podcaster in search of a story. When the body of a woman he had been hooking up with is discovered in a West Texas oil field,...

Bj Novak is looking for American truth in his directorial debut dark comedy film, Vengeance. He’s amassed an all-star cast of actors including Issa Rae, Dove Cameron, and Boyd Holbrook, for the movie about a city-slicking mid-thirties man travels to Texas and got more than he bargained for in a comedy of errors created by his own hubris. The story is told in a way that only Novak knows how: with biting wit, and fiery sarcasm.

Ben Manalowitz (Bj Novak) is a single man in NYC. With a new job at the New Yorker, and a supportive editor Eloise (Issa Rae), he’s on top of the world. As he parties with musician John Mayer and they talk about their sexual conquest, he tries to come up with ideas for a successful podcast. During the night he receives a phone call from Ty Shaw (Boyd Holbrook), who mentions his...

Clear eyes, full hearts, and a gathering that can't lose … This year marks the 10th anniversary of the premiere of Friday Night Lights, and the cast reunited at the Atx Festival in the spring to answer the question: Where are they now? Adrianne Palicki explained what she thinks Tyra is up to - including her marriage to Tim Riggins - and Scott Porter described Street's extra bedroom just for Riggins, while Matt Lauria and Dora Madison imagine Luke still pining for Becky. And something tells us you'll get a laugh out of what Louanne Stephens had to say about Mrs.

Texas forever! Check out Connie Britton's weekend Instagram posts. First she wished her Friday Night Lights co-star, Kyle Chandler, a happy birthday. After posting a picture of herself all dolled up for the the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, she then posted a photo of herself and Chandler, reuniting at the event. Friday Night Lights ended in 2011, after five seasons on NBC.Peter Berg's Texas High School football drama premiered almost 10 years ago, on Tuesday, October 6, 2006, starring Chandler and Britton as Eric and Tami Taylor. Friday Night Lights also starred Aimee Teegarden, Brad Leland, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Zach Gilford, Derek Phillips, Blue Deckert, Minka Kelly, Andrianne Palicki, Timothy F. Crowley, Louanne Stephens, Stacey Oristano, Scott Porter, Gaius Charles, Michael B. Jordan, Matt Lauria, Jurnee Smollett, Madison Burge, and Grey Damon.Read More…...

Clear eyes, full hearts, and a gathering that can't lose …

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the premiere of Friday Night Lights, and the cast reunited at the Atx Festival in the spring to answer the question: Where are they now?

Adrianne Palicki explained what she thinks Tyra is up to – including her marriage to Tim Riggins – and Scott Porter described Street's extra bedroom just for Riggins, while Matt Lauria and Dora Madison imagine Luke still pining for Becky. And something tells us you'll get a laugh out of what Louanne Stephens had to say about Mrs. Saracen's future.

Clear eyes, full hearts, and a gathering that can't lose … This year marks the 10th anniversary of the premiere of Friday Night Lights, and the cast reunited at the Atx Festival in the spring to answer the question: Where are they now? Adrianne Palicki explained what she thinks Tyra is up to - including her marriage to Tim Riggins - and Scott Porter described Street's extra bedroom just for Riggins, while Matt Lauria and Dora Madison imagine Luke still pining for Becky. And something tells us you'll get a laugh out of what Louanne Stephens had to say about Mrs.

Check out these videos and photos of the Friday Night Lights TV series cast reunion tailgate party, at the Atx Television Festival. Friday Night Lights premiered on NBC in 2006 and was cancelled after five seasons. Connie Britton (Tami Taylor) made a surprise visit. Her Nashville TV show was cancelled by ABC after four seasons, then renewed by Cmt the day prior to the gathering. Kyle Chandler (Coach Eric Taylor) was unable to attend, but Executive Producer Jason Katims was on hand.

Other Friday Night Lights alumni present include: Zach Gilford, Gaius Charles (Brian "Smash" Williams), Scott Porter (Jason Street), Adrianne Palicki (Tyra Collette), Jesse Plemons (Landry Clarke), Matt Lauria (Luke Cafferty), Dora Madison (Becky Sproles), Brad Leland (Buddy Garrity), Stacey Oristano (Mindy Riggins), Derek Phillips (Billy Riggins), Kevin Rankin (Herc), Katherine Willis (Joanne Street), and Louanne Stephens (Grandma, i.e. Mrs. Saracen).

Read More…...

A handful of Dillon Panthers (along with a few East Dillon Lions) assembled Friday in Austin for a good old-fashioned high school reunion.

RelatedOfficial: Nashville Will Move to Cmt for Back-From-the-Dead Season 5

More than five years after we said goodbye to Friday Night Lights, a generous helping of the show’s stars — including Connie Britton, Scott Porter, Matt Lauria, Zach Gilford, Adrianne Palicki, Jesse Plemons and Stacey Oristano — took part in a tailgate on the actual Panther Field, as part of the Atx Television Festival.

Though Kyle Chandler (TVLine’s Performer of the Week!) was unable to join his former co-stars in Austin,...

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose! Well, your eyes might not be very clear when you see the photos from the epic Friday Night Lights reunion at Atx Television Festival in Austin, Texas. So many of your favorites gathered together to celebrate the series' tenth anniversary, including Tami Taylor a.k.a. Mrs. Coach (Connie Britton, a surprise guest), Tyra (Adrianne Palicki), Street (Scott Porter), Luke Cafferty (Matt Lauria), Landry (Jesse Plemons), Saracen (Zach Gilford) and even Gramma Saracen (Louanne Stephens). "Got emotional hadn't seen grandson in 5 yrs; he's so kind, smart," wrote Stephens on a sweet photo of her with TV grandson Gilford.   Fnl even...

Dawson's Creek fans were treated to endless show goodies at this year's Atx Television Festival. Case in point – a reading of the pilot script with a fresh slew of stars more than 10 years after the show went off the air.

During the series Writer's Room reunion panel Sunday in Austin, Texas, show creator Kevin Williamson enlisted the help of stars including Parenthood's Mae Whitman, Suits' Patrick J. Adams and Abigail Spencer to do a funny table read of the first scenes from the premiere episode. The twist? The actors swapped around the gender roles in the Joey-Pacey-Dawson love triangle!

Season four of the Atx Television Festival (A Television eXperience, as they prefer to be called) kicked off Thursday, June 4th in Austin, TX, with a line stretched ‘round the corner for the sole opening night event, the premiere of Atx partner USA’s Complications. The double-length pilot of the series screened to a packed house and afterwards, Mark Peikert of Backstage Magazine moderated a brief Q&A with the series’ creator, Matt Nix, stars Jessica Szohr and Beth Riesgraf, and creative Mike Horowitz. From the very start, the atmosphere in Austin has been a relaxed, positive one. Badge pickup, at least when I was there, was straightforward with helpful volunteers steering the process and the line for Complications, which started forming well over an hour before the event, was friendly and low-stress.

The screening itself was underwhelming. I am confident there are many who will enjoy Complications, but I...

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!The cast of "Friday Night Lights" had a mini-reunion in Austin, Texas on Thursday night during the third annual Atx Television Festival.Taylor Kitsch, Adrianne Palicki, Derek Phillips, Louanne Stephens and Katherine Willis were all on hand for the Opening Night festivities at both the State Theater and Maggie Mae's last night, returning to the city where they filmed the beloved football series.See even more photos in the gallery above!While Palicki, Phillips, Stephens and Willis were all previously announced -- and are hosting a screening of a fan-favorite episode later this evening -- Kitsch was a welcome surprise to his costars and fans alike.10 Things You Probably Never Knew About "Fnl"It's clear the gang has remained pretty close since the series went off the air in 2011, as they were seen throwing back drinks together at the party like no time had passed.

Brian Grazer recently sent Panther fans’ hearts racing when he announced that a Friday Night Lights movie was very much a possibility. When the cast reunited this weekend at the Atx Television Festival in Austin, Texas, the idea of hearing Coach Taylor rally another team on game night was on everyone’s minds. “I’d put 50/50 odds on it,” Scott Porter, who played paralyzed quarterback Jason Street, told EW. “I’m so scared we would never be able to top the show. And I wouldn’t want what we did together tarnished in any way.”

Porter, who was joined by...

"Friday Night Lights" may have ended before its time, but fans were transported right back to Dillion this weekend at the Atx Television Festival in Austin, Texas, which played host to a cast reunion that brought stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton back together to reminisce about the show's stellar run.

Joining Chandler and Britton (Coach and Mrs. Coach) on the panel were Gaius Charles (Brian "Smash" Williams), Brad Leland (Buddy Garrity), Louanne Stephens (Grandma Lorraine Saracen), Matt Lauria (Luke Cafferty), Scott Porter (Jason Street) and writer/producer David Hudgins.

Chandler and Britton's appearance at the festival was kept secret from fans until they emerged on stage, and their arrival was met with teary eyes, full hearts and a standing ovation from the crowd. Throughout the panel, the pair demonstrated that their characters' affectionate rapport was still going strong in real life, even after two years apart, with Britton offering...

On Friday night in Austin, Tex., some of your favorite Friday Night Lights cast members gathered at sunset to drink Shiner Bock in a parking lot and reminisce about the glory days. This was not a dream. It was a stellar event put on by the good folks at the Atx Television Festival who’d organized a free outdoor screening of the season 1 season finale. (The next morning the thrills kept coming, as stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton surprised fans by dropping in unannounced on the Fnl cast panel.) But on Friday, the show belonged to actors Scott Porter...

Meet me in Austin, y’all. Seriously now: It was announced this morning that the Atx Television Festival will host a free community sunset screening of an episode of Friday Night Lights on Friday, June 7, at the Hotel San Jose. Free! Sold, right? It gets better: Cast members Gaius Charles (Smash), Scott Porter (7), Matt Lauria (Luke, whose ribs are probably still bruised and swollen), and Louanne Stephens (Grandma Saracen!!!) will be in attendance, as will Stephanie Hunt (Devin*) who will bring some Crucifictorious magic on stage with her band.

Those who read my ode to my recent binge-watch of...

As Disney Channel readies its buzzy Girl Meets World spin-off, the beloved cast of Boy Meets World will come together for their first-ever reunion at the 2nd Annual Atx Television Festival.

Taking place in Austin, Texas from June 6-9, the weekend-long event celebrates outstanding television past, present and future. In typical festival fashion, screenings and Q&As will be all the rage. But what sets Atx apart is an intimate environment in which attendees can interact with the industry folks — both onscreen and off — they admire most.

Related | Girl Meets World Cast — William Daniels Returns as Mr. Feeny!

Set to...

Television’s best show kicks off its final season (for the second time) by saying goodbye to two of its biggest characters — get out the handkerchiefs!

The fifth, and final, season of Friday Night Lights started right off with goodbyes. After watching her grow up and struggle with life in Dillon, Texs, our very own Julie Taylor (Aimee Teegarden) is finally heading off to college — much to the dismay of her parents Eric (Kyle Chandler) and Tammy (Connie Britton), who isn’t even allowed to drive her to school. Instead we have to watch as the normally stoic Coach and his wife both choke back tears as their eldest daughter drives off alone into the sunset. Break out the Kleenex kids.

Julie wasn’t the only one heading off for higher learning though as after a quick stop by Grandma Saracen’s (Louanne Stephens), a sparsely attended Crucifictorus concert, and...

Television’s best show kicks off its final season by saying goodbye to two of its biggest characters — get out the handkerchiefs!

The fifth, and final, season of Friday Night Lights started right off with goodbyes. After watching her grow up and struggle with life in Dillon, TX, our very own Julie Taylor (Aimee Teegarden) is finally heading off to college — much to the dismay of her parents Eric (Kyle Chandler) and Tammy (Connie Britton), who isn’t even allowed to drive her to school. Instead we have to watch as the normally stoic Coach and his wife both choke back tears as their eldest daughter drives off alone into the sunset. Break out the Kleenex kids.

Julie wasn’t the only one heading off for higher learning though as after a quick stop by Grandma Saracen’s (Louanne Stephens), a sparsely attended Crucifictorus concert, and one delightful lap dance from new friend Candy,...

After more than a year away from network television, Friday Night Lights is back on NBC with season four. But, how long will it last? The acclaimed TV show's always been ratings-challenged. Has it already been cancelled?

Friday Night Lights (Fnl) revolves around a high school football team, its players and the surrounding community. The large ensemble cast boasts performers like Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Minka Kelly, Taylor Kitsch, Adrianne Palicki, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, Gaius Charles, Blue Deckert, Scott Porter, Derek Phillips, Brad Leland, Liz Mikel, Stacey Oristano, Nieko Mann, Kate Krause, Kevin Rankin, Louanne Stephens, Josh McVaney, Pablo D. Flores, Katherine Willis, Joey Truty, and Jeremy Sumpter.

After struggling through two seasons on NBC, it looked like Fnl was doomed to become one of those "brilliant but cancelled" series that has their life cut short. Fortunately, NBC and DirecTV went...

Are you ready for some football? No, not Monday Night Football—we're talking Friday Night Lights! Given that season 4 kicks off just one week from tonight (Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. on Directv; NBC will air these episodes in 2010), Fnl exec producer Jason Katims offers up the following teasers to get you fired up. Let us issue a Spoiler Alert and proceed: • Dillon will live every week like it’s Rivalry Week now that East Dillon High School has reopened. “The whole idea of this season is about this town being divided in two because of this new team,” says Katims.

It's official. After a weeks of keeping our fingers crossed, the powers-that-be at NBC and DirecTV have hammered out an agreement for two more seasons of Friday Night Lights.

Friday Night Lights revolves around a high school football team, its players and surrounding community. The large ensemble cast boasts performers like Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Minka Kelly, Taylor Kitsch, Adrianne Palicki, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, Gaius Charles, Blue Deckert, Scott Porter, Derek Phillips, Brad Leland, Liz Mikel, Stacey Oristano, Nieko Mann, Kate Krause, Kevin Rankin, Louanne Stephens, Josh McVaney, Pablo D. Flores, Katherine Willis, Joey Truty, and Jeremy Sumpter.

Though the drama has a devoted core audience and is often praised by critics, it's struggled to attract a widespread audience. Lights was barely renewed for its first and second seasons. Faced with cancelling the show last March, NBC made a deal with DirecTV to share the cost of producing a third season.