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While the 2025 Sundance Film Festival is just around the corner, January also brings an opportunity to revisit one of the highlights that made a splash nearly three decades ago, now newly restored. Jim McKay’s feature debut Girls Town, which was written in collaboration with stars Lili Taylor, Bruklin Harris, and Anna Grace, also features an ensemble including Guillermo Diaz, Michael Imperioli, Stephanie Berry, Tom Gilroy, and John Ventimiglia. Newly restored in 4K by nonprofit lab IndieCollect, Film Movement Classics has acquired the film for a North American theatrical release which will begin January 17 at New York City’s IFC Center, followed by a national expansion and digital and home-entertainment debut.

Here’s the synopsis for the film, originally released by October Films: “When high school senior Nikki (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) commits suicide, her shocked friends set in search of the reasons why. Their discovery that Nikki had been raped but...

The following contains major spoilers from Hotel Cocaine Episode 1, "The Mutiny," which debuted Sunday, June 16 on MGM+. It also contains discussion of drug use, sex and violence.

Drug trafficking stories aren't new in the TV and movie world -- but Hotel Cocaine makes all the violence and debauchery feel new again. The MGM+ series has every reason to be all sizzle and no steak; it's playing in a familiar genre, it's set against the gregarious backdrop of Miami in the even more gregarious period of the 1970s, and it's yet another TV show based on a true story. Yet ironically because he's done this sort of thing before, creator Chris Brancato navigates every pitfall and lets an all-star cast blow the doors off.

Hotel Cocaine is centered on the Mutiny Hotel, an infamous Miami landmark that was popularized by the almost-rebooted movie Scarface, where it was represented as "the Babylon Club.

Yul Vazquez enjoys playing villainous characters like Nestor in Hotel Cocaine, finding them fun and terrifying with a sprinkle of humor. Vazquez admits he's confused about the plot of Severance, never given actual information about his character's mysteries at Lumon. Hotel Cocaine follows Roman Compte in Miami during the '70s and '80s cocaine scene, with Vazquez playing the dangerous crime lord Nestor expertly.

We recently spoke with longtime character actor Yul Vazquez, who plays Nestor Cabal in the wild new series Hotel Cocaine, now streaming on MGM+. Nestor is the villainous brother of the show's true protagonist, Roman Compte (Danny Pino), who runs an iconic Miami hotel in the late '70s. The Mutiny Hotel welcomed public figures such as famed author Hunter S. Thompson who is actually featured in the pilot episode and portrayed by John Ventimiglia (The Sopranos).

Vazquez played a more likable character, Petey, on...

Corina Bradley, Laura Gordon, and Tania Watson join ‘Hotel Cocaine’

Tania Watson (The Head), Corina Bradley (Star-Crossed Romance), and Laura Gordon (Late Night with the Devil) have joined the cast of MGM+’s crime thriller Hotel Cocaine. The threesome board the project which already has Danny Pino (Mayans M.C.), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Mark Feuerstein (Power), and Yul Vazquez (Severance) involved as series regulars.

Chris Brancato created the series and serves as executive producer and showrunner. Additional executive producers include Michael Panes, Alfredo Barrios Jr., and Guillermo Navarro, with Navarro directing the pilot.

Hotel Cocaine is set in the 1970s and will be shot in the Dominican Republic. The eight-episode season is expected to premiere this summer.

The streaming service also announced Mayra Hermosillo, Juan Pablo Raba, Erniel Baez, Nick Barkla, Cale Ambrozic, Camila Valero, Maggie Lacey, John Ventimiglia, and Larry Powell have joined the cast in recurring and guest starring roles.

Corina Bradley, Laura Gordon, and Tania Watson join ‘Hotel Cocaine’

Tania Watson (The Head), Corina Bradley (Star-Crossed Romance), and Laura Gordon (Late Night with the Devil) have joined the cast of MGM+’s crime thriller Hotel Cocaine. The threesome board the project which already has Danny Pino (Mayans M.C.), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Mark Feuerstein (Power), and Yul Vazquez (Severance) involved as series regulars.

Chris Brancato created the series and serves as executive producer and showrunner. Additional executive producers include Michael Panes, Alfredo Barrios Jr., and Guillermo Navarro, with Navarro directing the pilot.

Hotel Cocaine is set in the 1970s and will be shot in the Dominican Republic. The eight-episode season is expected to premiere this summer.

The streaming service also announced Mayra Hermosillo, Juan Pablo Raba, Erniel Baez, Nick Barkla, Cale Ambrozic, Camila Valero, Maggie Lacey, John Ventimiglia, and Larry Powell have joined the cast in recurring and guest starring roles.

Hotel Cocaine has added to its cast. Tania Watson, Corina Bradley, and Laura Gordon are joining the previously announced cast of Danny Pino, Michael Chiklis, Mark Feuerstein, and Yul Vazquez.

Mayra Hermosillo, Juan Pablo Raba, Erniel Baez, Nick Barkla, Cale Ambrozic, Camila Valero, and Maggie Lacey have recurring roles while John Ventimiglia and Larry Powell will guest.

Chris Brancato and Guillermo Navarro are executive producers for the eight-episode series, which is set in the Miami cocaine scene of the late 1970s. Production resumes later this month, and the show will arrive on the streaming service this summer.

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Exclusive: Tania Watson (The Head), Corina Bradley (Star-Crossed Romance) and Laura Gordon (Late Night with the Devil) have joined Danny Pino, Yul Vazquez, Michael Chiklis and Mark Feuerstein as series regulars in the MGM+ series Hotel Cocaine. Production on the Chris Brancato and Guillermo Navarro series resumes this month in the Dominican Republic following a pause during the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

The eight-episode series from MGM+ Studios, in partnership with MGM Television, is slated to premiere this summer.

Hotel Cocaine is the story of Roman Compte, a Cuban exile and general manager of the Mutiny Hotel, the glamorous epicenter of the Miami cocaine scene of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The Mutiny Hotel was Casablanca on cocaine; a glitzy nightclub, restaurant, and hotel frequented by Florida businessmen and politicians, international narcos, CIA and FBI agents, models, sports stars, and musicians. At the center of it all was Compte,...

Palm Springs International Film Festival programmers have set this year’s lineup.

The desert festival, which runs Jan. 4 to 15, will open with the U.S. premiere of Thea Sharrock’s Wicked Little Letters on Jan. 5. Based on a 1920s English scandal, the film follows neighbors Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton. One day, a series of obscene letters begin to target Edith and others as suspicions fall on Rose. As the situation escalates, Rose risks losing her freedom and custody of her daughter. Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Malachi Kirby, Eileen Atkins and Timothy Spall star in the film.

Though the opening screening happens on Jan. 5, the festival really kicks off the night before with the Film Awards, a starry ceremony that will shine a spotlight on Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, Poor Things star Emma Stone, Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy,...

After a world premiere at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and its North American premiere over the weekend at the Hamptons International Film Festival, Noah Pritzker’s (Quitters) second film goes for a mix of Woody Allen, John Cassavetes, Paul Mazursky, Noah Baumbach and other white male filmmakers, past and present, who enjoy basking in the midlife marital crisis in which many guys find themselves trapped. While not on the level of those acclaimed filmmakers, in this case, Pritzker manages to cast his net wider into an early-, mid-, and late-life crisis over three generations of the men in the Pearce clan.

The result is an engaging indie exercise that’s for sale to any distributor who finds promise in a premise that might be a tough sell for mainstream buyers despite a game cast that lifts it up a notch or two. Art houses would seem to be its theatrical future,...

Noah Pritzker’s San Sebastian competition feature ‘Ex-Husbands’ stars Griffin Dunne and James Norton

Luxbox has picked up international sales rights to Noah Pritzker’s San Sebastian competition feature Ex-Husbands and has sold the film to Avalon in Spain and September Films in Benelux.

UTA is handling North American rights for Pritzker’s second feature about three generations of men in the same family simultaneously experiencing marital disappointment.

Griffin Dunne stars as a man floundering after his father (Richard Benjamin) leaves his mother after 65 years of marriage and his own wife (Rosanna Arquette) leaves him after thirty-five. With the wedding...

George R.R. Martin, the acclaimed author of the epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, which was adapted into the hit HBO show Game of Thrones, is not only a master storyteller, but also an avid fan of television. He has often praised the medium for its ability to create immersive and complex narratives, and has shared his opinions on various shows and episodes on his blog and in interviews. In this article, we will look at some of the TV episodes that Martin has named as his favorites over the years, and what makes them stand out for him.

The Sopranos Trailer “The Suitcase” from Mad Men: This episode from the fourth season of the critically acclaimed drama about the advertising industry in the 1960s focuses on the relationship between Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss), as they work late into the night...

Drena De Niro mourned the death of her son (and Robert De Niro’s grandson), Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, in an emotional post on Instagram, writing, “You were kindness, acceptance, and love, and I can’t believe any of this is real.”

Rodriguez died on Monday, July 3, at the age of 19. A cause of death has not been given.

Drena, in her new message, thanked friends and family for the outpouring of support as she expressed her grief. “None of this is right or fair and my heart hurts in...

No matter how talented his castmates are, Michael Shannon easily stands out from the crowd onscreen. The actor's 6'3" frame easily makes him look imposing, and his stoic facial expressions are an unmissable signature that permeates every role he plays. However, behind that tough-looking countenance lies an often underrated talent and an impressive range.

Whereas many actors shine brightly in over-the-top parts, Shannon's true strength lies in subtlety. Over the course of his career, he has played everything from hardened criminals to iconic rock stars, but all of his characters have one thing in common: a compelling duality that plays out in small moments. By fully committing to roles, Shannon captures unconscious behaviors that make his portrayals feel real. He makes it possible to see how many characters would like others to see them and how they truly see themselves.

Whether he is the leading man or merely a side character,...

Comedian Rickey Smiley is in mourning the death of his oldest son, comic Brandon Smiley.

Rickey took to Instagram on Sunday morning to share the tragic news with his followers, explaining in a heartbreaking video, “I just had bad news this morning.”

“I’m on the way to the airport to get to Birmingham. I just want everybody to pray for me, pray for our family,” Rickey said in a video. “My son, Brandon Smiley, has passed away this morning.”

Rickey asked those watching to pray specifically for Brandon’s mother, and his siblings.

“Now I see what my granddaddy went through and why he felt the way he felt,” Rickey said. “My granddaddy went through this s**t with my dad and somehow, here I am going through the same thing my grandparents went through. So just pray for our family.”

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Exclusive: Griffin Dunne (This Is Us), Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction), Richard Benjamin (Michael Crichton’s Westworld), Miles Heizer (13 Reasons Why) and James Norton (Little Women) will lead the cast of an as-yet-untitled comedy from writer-director Noah Pritzker (Quitters).

Others joining the ensemble include Eisa Davis (Mare of Easttown), Marcia Jean Kurtz (If Beale Street Could Talk), John Ventimiglia (The Sopranos), Lou Taylor Pucci (You), Echo Kellum (Grand Crew), Ian Owens (Shrill), Pedro Fontaine (Spider), Simon Van Buyten (Chaussée d’Amour), Nate Mann (Licorice Pizza), Zora Casebere (On the Rocks) and Rachel Zeiger-Haag (Monsterland).

The film from Play Book Productions and Pimienta Films—marking Pritzker’s follow-up to the 2015 dramedy, Quitters—will center on Dunne’s character, Peter Pearce. Overwhelmed by his pending divorce from Maria (Arquette) and the declining health of his father (Benjamin), Peter plans a getaway to Tulum, insistent he knows nothing of his sons’ (Heizer and...

This article contains some spoilers for The Sopranos entire six-season run.

A lot of the appeal of The Sopranos comes from viewing the personal lives of people who are a part of an illicit sector of society. The members of the Dimeo organized crime family made their way in the world in a manner that starkly contrasts to what the general population is accustomed to in their own lives. It’s nearly impossible to imagine having the authority of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) or the material wealth of Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco). But that doesn’t mean the iconic show didn’t juxtapose these criminals with more relatable characters. It’s much more conceivable for us to mirror our stories with that of Tony’s childhood friend, the downtrodden restaurateur Artie Bucco (John Ventimiglia).

The owner of a fancy Italian eatery who not-so-secretly envies the escapades of his morally compromised acquaintances,...

Haymaker will in Theaters, On Demand and Digital January 29th. Here’s the trailer:

Haymaker stars Nomi Ruiz, Nick Sasso, John Ventimiglia, Veronica Falcón, Udo Kier, Zoë Bell, and D.B. Sweeney

Haymaker follows a retired Muay Thai fighter (Sasso) working as a bouncer, who rescues an alluring transgender performer (Ruiz) from a nefarious thug, eventually becoming her bodyguard, protector, and confidant. The relationship leads Sasso’s character to make an unexpected return to fighting, risking not only his relationship, but his life. Haymaker tells a story about human dignity and love.

Haymaker is Directed and Written By Nick Sasso

The post Check Out the New Trailer For Haymaker starring Nomi Ruiz and Nick Sasso appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.

"You owe me big time." Kamikaze Dogfight has unveiled an official trailer for an indie action thriller titled Haymaker, marking the feature directorial debut of Nick Sasso - who also wrote and stars in the film. This hasn't premiered anywhere yet, dropping on VOD next month. Haymaker follows a retired Muay Thai fighter now working as a bouncer, who rescues an alluring transgender performer from a nefarious thug, eventually becoming her bodyguard, protector, and confidant. The relationship leads Sasso’s character to make an unexpected return to fighting, risking not only his relationship but his life. Sasso stars with Nomi Ruiz as Nomi, along with Zoë Bell, Udo Kier, D.B. Sweeney, Veronica Falcón, John Ventimiglia, and Kathryn Kates. This actually looks pretty slick; or at least the trailer is compelling with a killer score. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Nick Sasso's Haymaker, direct from Kd's YouTube: Haymaker...

A retired Muay Thai fighter-turned-bodyguard falls for the mysterious singer he’s protecting in the first trailer for the upcoming film Haymaker.

Written, directed and starring first-time director Nick Sasso, the film, set for release in theatres and on demand January 29th, stars Jessica 6 singer Nomi Ruiz alongside John Ventimiglia, Udo Kier, D.B. Sweeney and Zoë Bell (Death Proof). Blending an alluring love story with gripping, up-close fight scenes, the feature draws from its creators’ real-life pasts, with Sasso a Muay Thai student and Ruiz playing a popular singer.

The...

Kathrine Narducci is married to the mob. Joe Pesci‘s wife in “The Irishman,” John Ventimiglia‘s missus on “The Sopranos,” plus “Jersey Boys,” “A Bronx Tale,” the ‘hit’ list goes on and on. Soon she’ll be Al Capone‘s sister in the upcoming “Capone” starring Tom Hardy. Gd recently caught up with her from a safe social distance. She was in a new Brooklyn apartment painting. Not the walls. Canvases.

See‘Bad Education’ reviews: ‘Courageous’ Hugh Jackman and ‘wonderfully restrained’ Allison Janney play small-town crooks

Gd: How long have you been painting?

Kn: “I started when I was 25. When I get obsessive I just start painting. Now more than ever expressing yourself is important. Everything is all bottled up. Can’t go out. Right now it’s like my canvases are my friends. Where I get things out without words.”

Gd: Is the work angrier these days?

Kn:...

Giant Pictures has secured the U.S. distribution rights to the Bruno de Almeida-helmed drama, Cabaret Maxime, starring Michael Imperioli, best known for his Emmy-winning role as Christopher Moltisanti on HBO’s The Sopranos. Cabaret Maxime is slated to open at the Metrograph in NYC on February 21 before its theatrical wide release March 3.

The film marks the third collaboration between Imperioli and de Almeida. The plot follows Bennie Gazza (Imperioli), the owner of Cabaret Maxime, a nightclub in an old, red-light district where a group of colorful characters perform musical numbers, as well as burlesque and striptease acts. Bennie runs the cabaret like a tight family, dealing with each artist’s unique personality while taking care of his performer wife, Stella, who suffers from manic depression. When the once-decadent neighborhood starts to become gentrified, Bennie struggles to keep his club afloat. As the residents are being bought up and pushed out,...

Few shows have changed the way we watch television like “The Sopranos.” As one of the most critically and commercially successful TV shows in history, “The Sopranos” has also maintained a cult-like following that has lasted since its literal abrupt ending in 2007. So it makes sense that fans would rally together to commemorate 10 years of hitjobs and hotheads with the first-ever “SopranosCon.”

Billed as “for the fans, by the fans,” the inaugural SopranosCon was hosted at the Meadowslands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. Nov. 21-22. Mike Mota and Dan Trader, who created and organized the two-day convention, were given permission by HBO (which originally aired the program) to proceed with the festivities as an unofficial fan event. Maybe the premium cabler only signed off to help promote the upcoming “Sopranos” prequel “The Many Saints of Newark,” which is coming in 2020, but judging from the turnout, it may have been...

Recently, CBS revealed the new,official synopsis/description for their upcoming "Elementary" episode 9 of season 4. The episode is entitled, "Murder Ex Machina," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting stuff take place as Watson gets invited to a private dinner by Sherlock's father. Holmes and Watson also investigate a case that involves a vicious killer/hacker, and more! In the new, 9th episode press release: Holmes And Watson Search For A Computer Hacker Responsible For A Russian Billionaire's Murder, On "Elementary," Thursday, Jan. 21. Press release number 2: Holmes and Watson will end up searching for a computer hacker responsible for three murders, including the death of a Russian billionaire who was visiting New York City. Also, Joan will be shocked to receive a solo dinner invitation from Sherlock's father. Guest stars feature: Josh Cooke (Phil Balsam), Betty Gilpin (Fiona Helbron), John Ventimiglia (Harry Magarac), Cindy Cheung...

Welcome to the ninth installment of our summer trip through "The Sopranos" season 1. When I revisited early seasons of "The Wire," as well as the whole run of "Deadwood," I did separate versions of each review for newcomers and veterans, but over time realized that the newcomers weren't commenting much, if at all, and that it therefore made sense to simply do one review. Any significant spoilers for episodes beyond the one being reviewed will be contained in a separate section at the end of the review; so long as you avoid that, and the comments, you should be fine. Thoughts on the ninth episode, “Boca," coming up just as soon as you lie like I play the French horn... "I didn't hurt nobody." -Tony In the grand scheme of "Sopranos" season 1, the most important part of "Boca" takes place on a Jersey golf course, where Uncle Junior and Tony...

Recently, CBS delivered the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The Good Wife" episode 19 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Winning Ugly," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting and drama-filled stuff as Alicia and company get attacked with a State's Attorney Election voting recount scandal. They'll try to fight it off, and more! In the new, 19th episode press release: Alicia And Eli Try To Stop A Recount When Potential Voter Fraud Is Discovered In The State's Attorney Election. Press release number 2: When potential voter fraud is discovered in the State's Attorney election, Eli and Alicia are going to take steps to stop a recount by enlisting the help of a well-respected civil rights lawyer, Spencer Randolph (Ron Rifkin). Also, Diane is going to learn she unwittingly submitted false evidence in Cary's case. Guest stars feature: Ron Rifkin (Spencer Randolph), John Procaccino...

Low Spirits: Galland’s Energetic Supernatural Comedy Doesn’t Retain Dominion

The increasingly tenuous distinction between what constitutes either horror or comedy is further exemplified in Ava’s Possessions, the third feature from multifaceted Jordan Galland. A modified spin on the popular subgenre of demonic possession and exorcism titles that we’ve long been familiar with, Galland’s latest is a comedy marinated generously with supernatural elements. Amusing yet never as clever as one would hope it to be, this plays rather like the simple structure of mainstream fodder like The Hangover parading around in a Halloween costume. Those hoping for something eerie, creepy, or atmospheric will be disappointed, but fans of its attractive cast and some impressive production elements makes this more appealing than dubious detractors may predict.

Ava’s (Louisa Krause) been possessed by a demon for the past month, but with the support of her parents (Deborah Rush,...

"The Drac pack is back" in the new teaser trailer for Hotel Transylvania 2, in which Frank (Frankenstein's monster, voiced by Kevin James) faces his old nemesis: fire. We also have a look at a new trailer for The CW's iZombie and two clips from the pilot, one of which includes George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead playing on a TV in the background. A teaser for Ava's Possessions, a horror film making its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival tomorrow night, is also featured in our latest trailer round-up.

Hotel Transylvania 2: "The Drac pack is back for an all-new monster comedy adventure in Sony Pictures Animation's Hotel Transylvania 2! Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania... Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human,...

Each and every year, the South by Southwest Film Festival comes together in Austin, Texas to shine the spotlight on some of the most provocative and ingenious indie horror films from across the globe. The 2015 SXSW line-up is no exception, featuring a multitude of thought-provoking titles and genre-bending awesomeness that we could not be more excited to check out during the festival this month.

Here’s a look at several of the films from SXSW 2015 that have us excited for this year’s line-up and should stay on your radar once they’re officially released at a later date:

The Final Girls

Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson, Screenwriters: M. A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller

Max and her friends are mysteriously transported into a famous 1980s horror movie that starred Max's mother, a celebrated scream queen. Reunited, they team up to fight the film's maniacal killer and find their way back home. Cast: Taissa Farmiga,...

The 2015 SXSW Film Festival will be running from March 13th through March 21st in Austin, Texas and the first wave of selections were announced today to get attendees excited for all the amazing films coming our way next month. And while horror fans have to wait until next week for the announcement of the Midnighters slate, here’s a look at some of the genre-related titles already revealed amidst SXSW’s other film categories for this year.

Narrative Feature Competition

Manson Family Vacation

Director/Screenwriter: J. Davis

The story of two brothers: one who’s devoted to his family, the other who’s obsessed with the Manson Family. Cast: Jay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Leonora Pitts, Tobin Bell, Adam Chernick, Davie-Blue. (World Premiere)

Headliners

Ex Machina

Director/Screenwriter: Alex Garland

Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller Ex Machina, starring Domhnall Gleeson,...

South by Southwest, the multi-faceted film, music and technology festival held annually in Austin, TX will feature such upcoming films as Paul Feig’s Spy, David Gordon Green’s Manglehorn, Alex Gibney’s documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, and Ondi Timoner’s Russell Brand profile Brand: A Second Coming as headliners in this year’s film festival lineup.

SXSW runs from March 13 to 21 in Austin and is now in its 22nd year. Variety has details of the 145 films and 100 world premieres bowing at this year’s festival. Brand, as previously reported, will be the festival’s opening night film.

Other notable titles on the list are the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard, a rough cut of Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland, Ex Machina, and a new comedy by Michael Showalter, Hello, My Name is Doris.

On the small screen,...

The Good Wife, Season 6, Episode 11: “Hail Mary”

Written by Erica Shelton Kodish

Directed by Rosemary Rodriguez

Airs Sundays at 9pm Et on CBS

Well, now we know how Kalinda might find her way out of the series. “Hail Mary” is a hectic, tense hour of The Good Wife, but its parts don’t quite add up to a totally satisfying whole, especially when considered as the culmination of an unusually long story (by Good Wife standards).

It’s difficult not to think of Spike Lee’s last great film, 25th Hour, in the best scenes of “Hail Mary,” which involve Cary being prepped for the worst of the pen by an expert (a perfectly cast Domenick Lombardozzi, bringing the series total number of The Wire alumni to approximately seven million). It’s both a strong showcase for Matt Czuchry, who credibly takes Cary from tough-guy posturing to almost breaking...

Despite the lottery-esque sounding odds, the U.S Dramatic Competition section which produces the finest American indie specimens such as Frozen River, Winter’s Bone, Blue Valentine, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station and Whiplash is fairly consistent in terms of quality. Last year’s crop of sixteen have almost all had their theatrical releases with Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter being the last one out of the gates (pegged with an early 2015 release). Last week we individually looked at our top 80 Sundance Film Fest Predictions (you’ll find 30 other titles worth considering in our intro) and below, we’ve split the list into narrative and non-fiction film items and have both identified and color-coded our picks in an AtoZ cheat sheet. You’ll find 2015′s answer to Whiplash located somewhere in the stack below. Click on the individual titles below, for the film’s profile.

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The Good Wife" episode 10 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "The Trial," and it sounds like things will get pretty shocking and intense as Cary's trial deal, might leave him contemplating serving jail time,and more! In the new, 10th episode press release: Cary's case is going to go to trial. Press release number 2: When Cary’s case goes to trial, a plea deal offer is going to have him seriously considering jail time. Also, a joke between mother and daughter, will land Alicia in trouble as her campaign for State’s Attorney is in full stride. David Hyde Pierce Returns as Frank Prady. Guest stars feature: Michael Cerveris (James Castro), Nicole Roderick (Nora), David Paymer (Judge Richard Cuesta), John Ventimiglia (Detective Gary Prima), Eric Ruffin (Dylan Bishop), Mark Green (Dante Wallach), Chris Jackson (Michael Wood), Zak Orth...

I originally took notice of the project when the trades announced that the oft-used supporting indie starlet Louisa Krause (non-related pic above — who we interviewed back in the day for Martha Marcy May Marlene) was the featured “potential screamer” lead on this project. Filmmaker Jordan Galland has flirted with Park City before, his debut Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead (2009) received a special screening status at Slamdance. Along with his sophomore film item Alter Egos (2012), the summer shot Brooklyn set Ava’s Possessions basically informs us that the musician slash filmmaker’s interests lie within the framework of the horror genre. Certainly the addition of supporting players include Lou Taylor Pucci, Jemima Kirke, Stella Schnabel (You Wont Miss Me) and John Ventimiglia amps up the end product, and Galland’s ongoing creative collaboration with musician Sean Lennon might earmark the project as an appointment with the occult that avoids trappings of...

Stars: Clive Owen, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Matthias Schoenaerts, James Caan, Noah Emmerich, Lili Taylor, Domenick Lombardozzi, John Ventimiglia,Griffin Dunne | Written by Guillaume Canet, James Gray | Directed by Guillaume Canet

Two brothers, Chris (Owen), recently out of prison and Frank (Crudup), a respected policeman, are on either side of the law. As Chris tries to clean up his act and reconnect with his family he finds himself low on funds and rejected by society. Will he turn back to his old life and force Frank to act, splitting their family in two forever? Facing off in 1970′s Brooklyn, Blood Ties looks to see if blood trumps money when it comes to family and organised crime.

What I liked about Blood Ties was that the seventies was dripping from every corner of the film. The music, the clothes, the hair cuts and the attitudes of the characters.

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The Good Wife" episode 3 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Dear God," and it turns out we'll still see Cary sitting in jail, waiting for someone to set him free, and more. In the new, 3rd episode press release: Cary's freedom is going to lie in the hands of his pretrial service officer. Press release number 2: Cary’s freedom will lie in the hands of his pretrial service officer, Joy Grubick, as she interviews his colleagues to determine whether or not he should remain behind bars. Meanwhile, Alicia and Dean are going to find themselves in unfamiliar territory when a client’s case ends up in Christian Arbitration. Linda Lavin guest stars as pretrial service officer Joy Grubick. Robert Sean Leonard guest stars as Del Paul, an arbitrator. Taye Diggs returns as Dean Levine-Wilkins, an equity partner at Lockhart/Gardner.

Recently, CBS released the new, official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The Good Wife" premiere episode 1 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "The Line," and it sounds like things will very interesting as Diane contemplates joining Alicia's new firm as a partner. Alicia refuses to run for state's attorney, and more. In the new, 1st episode press release: Alicia will be adamant in her refusal to run for state's attorney. Press release number 2: Alicia is going to be adamant in her refusal to run for State’s Attorney despite Eli’s attempts to persuade her to launch a campaign. Meanwhile, as Diane considers joining Florrick/Agos as partner, an internal crisis will threaten to destroy the firm. Guest stars will include: Jess Weixler (Robyn Burdine), Michael Cerveris (James Castro), Kelli Giddish (Sophia Russo), Katie Paxton (Lauren Lytton), Fred Melamed (Judge Alan Karpman), Samantha Mathis (Bonita Yarrow), Nicole Roderick (Nora...

Featuring a sprawling cast — Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, Matthias Schoenaerts, Noah Emmerich, Lili Taylor, Domenick Lombardozzi, John Ventimiglia, Griffin Dunne, Jamie Hector, Yul Vazquez and James Caan — a gritty 1970's New York City (shot on location too), and co-written by James Gray, there are a lot of reasons to give Guillaume Canet's "Blood Ties" a look. And if you didn't get a chance to catch it in theatres, we've got a few copies for some lucky readers. But to recap, the film follows Frank (Crudup), a cop with an aspiring future, who has to toe the line between family and the badge, when his ex-con brother Chris (Owen) gets out of the jail. Will Chris fall back into his old ways? And if he does, can Frank look the other way? It's tale of sons and siblings, but it wasn't necessarily always an easy shoot.

• Patrick Wilson (Jack Strong), Jessica Biel (The Truth About Emanuel), Imogen Poots (Need for Speed), and Toby Jones (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay) have joined the cast of Andy Goddard’s (Set Fire to the Stars) upcoming untitled Patricia Highsmith film. The upcoming thriller is based off Highslith’s novel The Blunderer. Set in 1960s New York, the novel follows Walter Stackhouse (Wilson), a successful architect who lives the perfect life with his wife, Clara (Biel). Stackhouse’s life slips into chaos, however, when he becomes fascinated with an unsolved murder that forces him into contact with a killer (Jones) and an ambitious detective.

Young Adult and Martha Marcy May Marlene star Louisa Krause is set to join Cathy Moriarty, Lou Taylor Pucci (Evil Dead), and more for the supernatural thriller Ava's Possessions from director Jordan Galland (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead).

Whitney Able, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, John Ventimiglia, Waris Ahluwalia, Jemima Kirke, Stella Schnabel, Geneva Carr, Alysia Reiner, and Tarik Lowe co-star in the film, which will shoot in NYC this summer.

As per Deadline, musician Sean Lennon has signed on to score the film, having previously scored and co-starred in Galland's movie Alter Egos, which was released via Kevin Smith's SModcast Presents banner.

Maren Olson of Traction Media is producing with Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures.

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Louisa Krause (“Young Adult”) will star in the supernatural thriller “Ava's Possessions,” written and directed by Jordan Galland (“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead”). The ensemble cast includes Cathy Moriarty, Lou Taylor Pucci (“Thumbsucker”), Whitney Able (“Monsters”), Annabelle Dexter-Jones, John Ventimiglia (“The Sopranos”), Waris Ahluwalia, Jemima Kirke (HBO's “Girls”), Stella Schnabel, Geneva Carr, Alysia Reiner, and Tarik Lowe. Also read: James Badge Dale to Star in Legendary's Supernatural Thriller ‘Spectral’ (Exclusive) Maren Olson of Traction Media is producing with Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures. Production will start this summer in New York City. Musician Sean Lennon has signed on to score the film,...

Most of the Reagans are in the family business, but that normally doesn't include one of the youngest.

Nicky (Sami Gayle) found herself in the thick of a police case in Friday's (Jan. 10) episode of CBS' "Blue Bloods," "The Bogeyman." Attending a teen party, she responded to cries for help as most others evacuated the place, and found a passed-out girl as a couple of stragglers tried to conceal remaining drugs.

To no avail, Nicky warned them the drugs should be left as police evidence, then she grabbed a stray packet of the stuff and called 911 -- identifying herself only as "Jane Doe."

Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Frank (Tom Selleck) also were concerned with drugs, specfiically a new and lethal type. Jailed informant Carmen (guest star Sasha Allen) told Danny of a narcotic rumored to be "pure heaven, for users of that kind of poison," while Frank worried about a...

Holiday reunions are meant to be pleasurable, but in Danny Reagan's case, it's not exactly a shock such an encounter would keep him on the job.

The NYPD detective (Donnie Wahlberg) initially enjoyed welcoming his childhood friend Mickey (guest star Tom Cavanagh) back home in "Ties That Bind," the last 2013 episode of CBS' "Blue Bloods." In the tale by series co-executive producer Brian Burns, Mickey and wife Connie (guest star Rebecca Budig) relocated from Florida back to New York to help care for her ill mother.

Looking out his window and admiring Mickey's Mercedes, Danny also saw a supposed electric-company van he immediately "made" as a surveillance vehicle. At work the next day, Danny was shown photos by the detective who conducted the stakeout -- and who inferred that presumed Realtor Mickey actually was connected to one of Florida's top crime families.

Frank (Tom Selleck) paid a hospital visit to...

He's associated with the state as much as Bruce Springsteen and Snooki and now James Gandolfini is leaving a permanent mark on New Jersey.

This weekend, the "Sopranos" star had a street named after him in his hometown of Park Ridge, where he spent much of his childhood.

Joining in the celebration was the hit HBO series' director Timothy Van Patten, along with cast members Steve Schirripa, Vincent Curatola, Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese, Vincent Pastore, and John Ventimiglia.

Speakers at the event attended by his surviving family included his son Michael, who said, "He just told me every story about every place here. [He] definitely made a point of coming here." On Sunday, the Park Ridge city council declared that it was "James Gandolfini Day."...

The late James Gandolfini was honored this weekend in his hometown of Park Ridge, N.J.  Friends, family members and even a few costars traveled to the small town where the Sopranos star spent much of his childhood growing up.  Sopranos director Timothy Van Patten and cast members Steve Schirripa, Vincent Curatola, Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese, Vincent Pastore and John Ventimiglia were all on hand as a stretch of Park Avenue was renamed James Gandolfini Way.  Gandolfini's wife, Deborah Lin, son Michael, daughter Liliana and sister Leta also paid tribute to their beloved family member. According to NorthJersey.com, several speakers noted the actor's generosity with...

If any actor deserves a grand tribute in New Jersey, it's the late Sopranos star James Gandolfini. This past Sunday, December 1st, was christened "James Gandolfini Day" in the actor's hometown of Park Ridge, New Jersey – and many of his former castmates were in attendance.

Edie Falco Fights Back Tears During James Gandolfini Tribute at Emmys

According to local newspaper the Record, the local Borough Council organized the tribute, which also featured appearances from Sopranos cast members Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese, Vincent Curatola, Vincent Pastore and John Ventimiglia,...

Park Ridge, N.J. (AP) — Cast members of The Sopranos were on hand over the weekend as a New Jersey town remembered native son James Gandolfini. Photos: James Gandolfini Funeral: David Chase, Alec Baldwin Attend Service Park Ridge dedicated a section of Park Avenue to the actor best known for his role as mobster Tony Soprano in the TV series. Gandolfini died in Italy in June. Cast members Steve Schirripa, Vincent Curatola, Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese, Vincent Pastore and John Ventimiglia were among the hundreds of people who turned out Sunday -- declared "James Gandolfini Day" by the Borough Council --

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Dining out can be dangerous.

So Frank (Tom Selleck) discovered after having dinner with Angelo Gallo (guest star Chazz Palminteri) -- a boyhood friend who happened to be a Mob lawyer -- in Friday's (Nov. 15) "Blue Bloods" episode "Justice Served," written by series co-executive producer Siobhan Byrne O'Connor. The men left the restaurant jovially, but right after Frank's car pulled away, the attorney was felled by two bullets to the back.

Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) was getting a taste of another side of the law by serving jury duty. Young defendant Deshawn Williams (J. Mallory-McCree) was on trial for the murder of a deli cashier, and when the jurors went into deliberation, only one held out for a "not guilty" verdict. Guess who?

Eddie (Vanessa Ray) was excited about a date with commodities trader Jake (Jason Ralph), and when Jamie (Will Estes) playfully asked if he knew she was a cop,...

The personal and the professional have a way of merging for the Reagans of "Blue Bloods."

Such was the case again in "Lost and Found," Friday's (Oct. 25) episode of the CBS police drama written by co-executive producer Daniel Truly. Frank (Tom Selleck) was alarmed to learn Father Markhum (Frank Wood, "The Newsroom"), the NYPD's chaplain, had been stopped for driving while intoxicated ... "the fourth time in two months," police chief Dino (John Ventimiglia) revealed.

The clergyman had rear-ended another car, and Frank worried that intervening would appear to be favored treatment -- something the arresting officer already had furnished by letting the priest sleep off his condition. And Frank realized such handling was "the reason I never heard about the other three Dwi's."

Later, Frank entered a confessional to talk to the chaplain, and told him to turn himself in: "Even priests do penance, Jerry."

While eating out with Erin...

Usually, it's the cops in the Reagan family who are in the line of fire. They weren't the only ones this time.

Prosecutor Erin (Bridget Moynahan) ended up imperiled in Friday's (Oct. 11) CBS episode of "Blue Bloods." Written by series co-executive producer Siobhan Byrne O'Connor, "To Protect and Serve" set the danger somewhere it wouldn't be expected -- a courtroom.

The hour began with Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Maria (Marisa Ramirez) investigating a broad-daylight murder, with the only witness the victim's young son Michael (a very natural, wrenching performance by Jake Miller, playing off a commendably sensitive Wahlberg). Asked if he had relatives he could stay with, the boy said, "My mom. But I don't want to go home just yet. I just want to stay with him [the slain father]."

Then it was off to court, where Erin ran into her fellow-lawyer ex Jack (Peter Hermann, the real-life husband of Mariska Hargitay...