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“Romance & Cigarettes” – an ensemble musical dramedy starring the late James Gandolfini and Kate Winslet – will mark its 20th anniversary next week with a special screening at Southampton Playhouse.

Written and directed by John Turturro, the indie project has endured two decades thanks to its risky fusion of classic MGM-style romance in a gritty, working class urban landscape. Southampton will show the film in 35mm format on August 21, a first for the nonprofit theater in the luxury beach town.

“I’m thrilled to have ‘Romance & Cigarettes’ return to the big screen the way it was meant to be seen,” Turturro said. “I was fortunate to work with an extraordinary cast who gave themselves over completely. This film was a labor of love, exploring the imagination of the working class through the transporting power of music. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate its 20th anniversary than...

There’s no denying that Breaking Bad dominates the television scene. Vince Gilligan’s story about a chemistry teacher becoming a meth kingpin is the stuff of TV legend. But let’s pump the brakes for a second.

Before Breaking Bad even existed, The Sopranos had already redefined what television could be. David Chase’s mob saga wasn’t just ahead of its time; it helped create the golden age of TV as we know it. And in more than a few ways, it edges past the Bryan Cranston-led show.

Yes, both shows explore crime, power, and moral collapse, but The Sopranos brings a level of psychological depth and dark humor that hits differently. Even celebrities like Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal prefer The Sopranos over Breaking Bad because of this. It’s not just about plot twists or intense standoffs. It’s about character studies, haunting silences, and...

Having only directed 9 movies so far, Tarantino plans to retire after his 10th and final movie in Hollywood (which is a sad affair). The director even scrapped the script for The Movie Critic because he wanted to go out with a bang.

From complex dialogues that mean nothing to over-the-top violence at the end of a film, Quentin Tarantino is a genius when it comes to making iconic movies where the storyline is told through the characters rather than the characters following a storyline.

With Tarantino sticking by his 10-movie rule, there are a ton of movies that I wish Tarantino had directed over the years. From violent flicks to slow burners, here are 10 movies that would have been guns-blazing perfect for Qt.

10. Quentin Tarantino Meets James Bond in Casino Royale Daniel Craig as Bond in a still from Casino Royale | Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Casino Royale, released in 2006, was...

HBO has produced many crime series, but The Sopranosstands above the rest as the most honest portrayal of the Mafia. Considered to be one of the most groundbreaking TV series of all time, some believe David Chase's modern-day organized crime epic changed the face of modern television.

The Sopranos was a dominant ratings force on HBO, with the season 4 premiere garnering a series high of 13.43 million viewers. The series was also critically lauded, currently holding a 92% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Sopranos won 25 Emmy Awards across its six-season run, including for Outstanding Drama Series.

According to Michael Franzese, a former member of the Colombo crime family,The Sopranos is the most consistently accurate account of life in the mob on television. A YouTube video titled "The Sopranos - Reviewed by Former Mafia Capo Michael Franzese" compares his former life in the mob to the depiction of the mob in The Sopranos.

Guillermo del Toro considered Goodfellas to be a perfect movie, but it lost the Best Picture award at the Oscars to Kevin Costner’s Dances With Wolves in 1991. Martin Scorsese’s hard-hitting mob drama being beaten by a Western epic became one of the most controversial outcomes in the Academy’s history.

It was Costner’s debut behind the camera and featured a heartfelt historical saga. On the other hand, Goodfellas was a movie that redefined gangster movies and inspired a new generation of directors. In a statement to Far Out Magazine, here’s what del Toro said about Scorsese’s crime classic:

A movie that can be rewatched endlessly and remains fresh and surprising. Perfect in every aspect, behind and in front of the camera.

The director’s high praise only reinforces what cinephiles have believed for a long time about Goodfellas being a cinematic revolution. So why didn’t it win?...

One of the most quietly chilling scenes in Goodfellas features Robert De Niro’s Jimmy and Lorraine Bracco’s Karen which reeks of a quiet betrayal. Martin Scorsese’s crime thriller is adapted from Nicholas Pileggi’s book, Wiseguy, based on the true story of Henry Hill’s rise and fall.

It’s dubbed as one of the best movies about mobs and gangsters; therefore, the scene that ticks everything off by the end is worth exploring. There are no gunshots, stabbing, or brutal beatdowns, just a soft-spoken offer and a narrow alley. So, here’s a breakdown of the haunting moment and its aftermath!

The Goodfellas’ Alleyway Moment Between Karen and Jimmy Escalates Tension Robert De Niro in Goodfellas | Credits: Warner Bros.

By the time this pivotal scene unfolds, we’ve already seen a trail of bodies in Goodfellas. Robert De Niro’s smooth-talking mobster turns into a silent...

Brad Pitt’s Killing Them Softly wasn’t exactly a crowd-pleaser upon its release, as despite garnering a fresh rating from critics on the Tomatometer, the movie holds an F grade on CinemaScore, which only 21 movies have earned so far. This isn’t to say the movie wasn’t well-made, quite the opposite. Boasting a cast of Pitt, Ray Liotta, and James Gandolfini, arguably the greatest TV actors of this century, known for his incredible work as the protagonist in The Sopranos, it perfectly reflects the post-2008 financial crisis cynicism.

Directed by Andrew Dominik and shot by Greig Fraser, now a prominent name in Hollywood, the movie proves to be a gritty commentary on the reality of the American dream through the cynical lens of Pitt’s hit man, Jackie.

While a mob drama on paper, the mob syndicate in the movie mirrors the real-life reflections of 2008’s crisis, and...

Martin Scorsese’s Casino turns 30 in 2025, but despite being a classic in its own right, the movie has been heavily overshadowed by Goodfellas. It was released in 1995 and brought back Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci for another mafia epic, but this time they were in the glitzy and cutthroat world of Las Vegas.

The movie also starred Sharon Stone in an amazing and show-stealing role that even earned her an Oscar nomination. But no matter how great a case we make for Casino, it will always be seen as a companion piece to Goodfellas, or like a spiritual successor of the movie. This bias has resulted in a phenomenal gangster movie never quite getting the recognition that it truly deserves!

Why Martin Scorsese’s Casino Was Overshadowed By Goodfellas A still from Casino | Credits: Universal Pictures

So, we all know why Goodfellas is held in such high regard. After all,...

What are the 100 best movies of the 2000s? It’s kind of a loaded question. The critics team here FandomWire set out to answer that question. There have been some fantastic entries from some incredible filmmakers, but we aimed to build a more comprehensive list with some hidden gems, some cult classics, and some undeniable masterpieces. The goal is to update the list each year as new releases earn their way into the ranking. But for now, check out the list and let us know what you think. Have you seen everything on the list, or do you have some blind spots? Let us know!

The 100 Best Movies of the 2000s Related: The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time 100. In the Loop (2009) In the Loop – The 100 Best Movies of the 2000s Directed by Armando Iannucci

Arguably one of the greatest adaptations of a television show to the big screen, In the Loop...

‘Game of Thrones’ became a global obsession — and it holds up.

HBO Max has pretty much held the crown when it comes to prestige TV for as long as I can remember. Sure, Apple TV+ is giving them a run for their money these days, but there’s no denying this is the streamer behind some of the best shows of all time. So if you just signed up and you’re staring at the homepage and wondering what to watch first? For me, the answer’s easy: “Game of Thrones.” Here’s why…

Top drama TV show to stream first when you sign up for HBO Max

Why ‘Game of Thrones’?

What is ‘Game of Thrones’ about?

Other must-stream drama shows on HBO Max

Why ‘Game of Thrones’ is the must-watch drama on HBO Max

Despite a mixed final season, “Game of Thrones” is still the gold standard when it comes to big,...

Severance is very much in(nie) with the Television Critics Association. The Apple TV+ drama topped Wednesday’s 41st TCA Awards nominations with five bids.

Its nominations haul includes Program of the Year, drama series, and triple bids in Individual Achievement in Drama for Adam Scott, Britt Lower, and Tramell Tillman.

Four shows are tied with four nominations apiece: Adolescence, Hacks, The Pitt, and The Studio. All four plus Severance will compete in Program of the Year alongside Andor, The Rehearsal, and The White Lotus.

Last year, TCA dropped down to six slots per category after expanding to eight in 2021, but it has now reverted to eight. No reason was given for last year's or this year's change.

There was also unprecedented double-dipping last year by three shows — Baby Reindeer, Ripley, and Fargo — which were nominated in both drama and limited. There is no such case this year.

In drama series,...

New Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 photos seemingly revealed a gruesome turning point for Michael Gandolfini's Daniel Blake in the new episodes. Gandolfini (the 26-year-old son of legendary Sopranos actor James Gandolfini) made his MCU debut in the first season of the Disney+ Daredevil revival, joining the ranks of Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk in the New York mayor's office, proving he will stop at nothing to make sure his bosses vision for the city comes to fruition. 

While he kept his hands mostly clean in Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Season 2 of the hit R-rated series will see Michael Gandolfini's Daniel Blake undergo a significant change if a new set photo is to be believed. 

The image in question sees Gandolfini's MCU character covered in blood and looking down in what seems to be a moment of joy, as a broad smile can be seen across his blood-spattered face. 

Read full article on The Direct.

One of the best gangster movies of all-time, a 100% fresh pick on Rotten Tomatoes, is now streaming on Max. The criminal anti-hero is a familiar type in the 2020s, but the idea of a sociopathic law-breaker capable of garnering audience sympathy was once a novelty.

Viewers were first treated to gangster movies built around charismatic underworld figures in the 1930s, a time when real gangsters dominated news headlines. Playing criminals helped stars like James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart launch their legendary careers.

Cultural changes later made the gangster movie unfashionable, but the genre enjoyed a huge comeback in the 1970s thanks to The Godfather. The modern crime movie era, as launched by Francis Ford Coppola’s epic, has seen more than its share of classics, from movies like Goodfellas and Scarface, to TV shows like The Sopranos.

The Public Enemy Is Now Streaming On Max It Arrived...

The Sopranos has no shortage of serious, tough scenes that ask a lot from the actors in terms of emotions and physicality, with some shot over 12 takes. Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher in The Sopranos, has always been open about what shooting the acclaimed TV show was like and how there were unexpected challenges.

He recently cited the funeral scene after Livia Soprano's death as one of these surprising moments. Nancy Marchand played Livia on The Sopranos in the early seasons, but since the actress passed away while filming the show, the writers had to write Livia out. This resulted in enormous emotional upheaval for Tony (James Gandolfini) as a character, and a challenge for the cast.

Despite the seriousness of the scene, the ensemble couldn't help cracking up at inopportune moments, forcing them to restart the take and laugh all over again. This line between humor and sadness is...

Denzel Washington is one of those actors who captures an audience as soon as he appears on the screen. His dramatic roles should be studied because the way he brings a character to life is like no other. From Training Day to Malcolm X, The Preacher's Wife with Whitney Houston, and more, the Academy Award winner embodies all the traits of a legendary actor in Hollywood. Many of his films are critically acclaimed, including the 1995 action thriller Crimson Tide, which is getting an unexpected sequel. With its 89% Rotten Tomatoes score, the Academy Award-nominated production's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, revealed that the sequel is in development, and the studio is hoping to persuade Washington to return.

According to Variety, during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show, Bruckheimer talked about his decision to develop a sequel to the highly praised '90s production. "We have a really good director and writer talking...

Get ready to roll tide again. Crimson Tide, the white-knuckle 1995 submarine thriller, has a sequel under construction at the shipyard. Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original film, discussed the in-development sequel on The Rich Eisen Show this week while promoting his latest blockbuster, F1: The Movie. And while nobody's turned their key yet, Bruckheimer thinks he can convince the original's star, Denzel Washington, to take the helm once more.

While discussing the high-velocity F1, Bruckheimer and Eisen's conversation turns to Crimson Tide, which starred Washington and the recently departed Gene Hackman. Bruckheimer notes that a sequel to the film is in development, saying that "We have a really good director and writer talking to the Navy right now about what’s going on under the water." And while he doesn't have a commitment from Washington yet, Bruckheimer is confident in his ability to get the Oscar-winner back in the...

A sequel to Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman's 30-year-old submarine thriller is in the works. There's also a good chance Washington will be returning for the new film.

As revealed during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show, producer Jerry Bruckheimer is developing a sequel to 1995's Crimson Tide. Bruckheimer didn't share any information about the plot, and while not dropping any names, he hinted that a strong creative team is already on board. When it comes to Denzel Washington's return, the producer couldn't say for certain, though he presumes it would be more likely than not that the actor would be up for a return as well.

"We have a really good director and writer talking with the navy right now about what's going on under the water," Bruckheimer said.

When asked if Washington would return, the producer added, "If we give him a good script, I think he'd do it.

In his all-too-brief run as an actor, James Gandolfini made a name for himself by playing brutal men hiding a complex emotionality beneath their cold exterior. When he passed away suddenly in 2013, he left us with a filmography packed with standout character roles and empathetic leads in everything from blockbusters like "Crimson Tide" to comedies like "Enough Said."

But even with these stellar parts, we still wish we could have seen more from Gandolfini, leaving fans to look at the roles he almost played and imagine what we could have had. One of these parts would have been his most chilling and horrific villains, which is really saying something considering the dastardly work he put into "The Sopranos," despite the fact that he didn't even want to audition.

Because before he was the kingpin of the Italian mafia, Gandolfini almost starred in Frank Darabont's adaptation of "The Shawshank Redemption,...

In a way, both the crime thriller Killing them Softly and the sports drama F1 are about capitalism. One of them features a central character who isn't in it for the riches, while the other film ends with the protagonist literally demanding the money that's owed to him. Both movies star Brad Pittin the lead role, but only one of them has been successful. This weekend, F1generated nearly $150 million at the global box office, on the back of positive reviews and near-unanimous praise from audiences. At the same time, it ended up lapping Killing them Softly's entire box office haul four times in just three days. The crime thriller debuted back in 2012, received straight-up hate from audiences, and concluded its run with less than $40 million globally.

It was, however, a film of uncommonly high pedigree. Directed by Andrew Dominik, Killing them Softlycompeted for the prestigious Palme d'Or at...

The Sopranos changed television. The series put HBO on the map alongside Sex and the City, and it is still regarded as one of the best shows to have ever made. Part of that is because of the cast, which included Dominic Chianese as Corrado "Uncle Junior" Soprano in the series. And in a recent interview with People, the now 94-year-old actor and singer shared that he thought the show was, at first, a comedy. And in his defense, Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico) is one of the funniest characters to ever exist on television.

“I said, ‘This is crazy, but this must be a comedy,’” he told the publication. "But I realized it wasn’t a comedy, and it was about the mafia. It was so way out, so I just read the scene like it was a comedy, and [Sopranos creator] David Chase giggled, and he said, ‘Can you come back tomorrow?...

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Los Angeles-based talent agency Mavrick Artists Agency and New York-based Eris Talent Agency have just signed on to represent the talented South African-born character actor Stelio Savante.

Savante recently appeared in the final season of Swat as Omar Morina on CBS and Paramount+. In Swat, he starred opposite Elizabeth Tabish, Patrick Sabongui, and Elizabeth Mitchell. The SAG Award-nominated, American movie award winner and polyglot multi-hyphenate also appeared in the Mark Freiburger-directed immigrant true-life drama film Between Borders as Duane.

Savante’s acting career began in the early 1990s on the theatre stages in New York and Alabama, and up till now, he has starred in over 140 films, TV shows, and video games with plenty more to come our way.

Alongside his career, Savante has also built up a nice resume as a producer. Some of his producing...

The Sopranos is one of the greatest television shows ever. But one series starring Wendell Pierce as the iconic Detective Bunk Moreland, The Wire, is not far behind, and in fact ranks higher than the mob drama on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in Baltimore, this HBO drama also hides a surprising cameo that many may have forgotten.

In episode seven of the fifth season of The Wire, Law & Order star Richard Belzer made a blink-and-you’ll miss-it appearance as John Munch, a character he has reprised across several crossover episodes across the world of crime drama television. This surprising cameo not only broadened the actor’s appeal but also connected The Wire to the broader television universe.

Richard Belzer’s Detective John Munch Had a Cameo in The Wire Richard Belzer’s John Munch in The Wire | Credits: HBO

The Wire, created by David Simon for HBO, is widely hailed...

The Sopranos had an ambiguous ending, with the series’ lead antihero, Tony Soprano, hinting at being assassinated. But we never see the death as the scene cuts to black amidst a set of random shots of Tony waiting for his family in a diner. There have been clues hidden throughout the show to indicate why creator David Chase chose to end with a cut to black.

While most believe the black at the end meant that Tony was killed, what seals the deal is a hint given by the character Bobby Baccalieri a few episodes ago before his own death. The character, whose death is one of the saddest in the series, mentions in a fishing trip to Tony that their death might be so silent that they would not even hear it happen. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Bobby Baccala’s Statement About Death Hinted at Tony Soprano’s...

With summer time upon us, it is fitting to begin with the most sun-drenched feature of Wes Anderson’s career, followed by a gem from J. Hoberman, an essential biography of James Gandolfini, and plenty more to read while working on your tan.

The Wes Anderson Collection: Asteroid City by Matt Zoller Seitz (Abrams)

The Wes Anderson Collection from Matt Zoller Seitz and the folks at Abrams is, quite simply, an indispensable series for film lovers. In fact, one of the (many) joys of seeing a new Anderson creation is the knowledge that, a few months later, we will have a new Wes Anderson Collection release to break it all down. An Asteroid City deep dive is especially useful, as the 2023 film is one of the director’s most ambitious. As film historian David Bordwell astutely points out in his foreword, Asteroid’s two storylines––a 1955 black-and-white TV program and a widescreen color film––“mark,...

Dominique Thorne thinks Ironheart's Riri Williams would work best with heroes her age.

Speaking to Den of Geek on her character's future, Thorne addressed the wide range of superhero teams forming in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how Riri could fit into them post-Ironheart. Regarding which one would be the most fun for storytelling purposes, she declared, "I think I gotta say the Young Avengers," later adding how that particular team factors into her struggles as a newcomer hero.

"When we meet her, she's just 19 years old. Sometimes when we are so young, it's very easy for us to sort of have blinders on and to only really think about or focus on what’s in front of us at the moment," Thorne said, pointing to the unexpected ramifications her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever inventions had in nearly sparking a war between nations. "We saw that in Riri and Wakanda,...

The Sopranos is one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows of all time.

The HBO hit series follows James Gandolfini‘s Tony Soprano, “an average, middle-aged husband and father…who just happens to be a mob boss. Feeling his grip on his family and his business slipping, Tony suffers a series of anxiety attacks that land him in the office of a psychiatrist.

There, he opens up about his life as a “waste-management consultant” and tries to come to terms with the professional and private strains that have brought him to the brink of a breakdown.

Over the years, we’ve sadly lost several cast members from the series.

We’re looking back and honoring those we have lost along the way since filming, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the loss of these talented individuals. Rip.

Click through to see who we sadly lost from The Sopranos…...

Before fans meet Marvel’s first family this July with The Fantastic Four: First Steps starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach, another hero is debuting (kind of) in the MCU via the small screen, Dominique Thorne’s Ironheart. The first few teasers and trailers of the series are out, and fans are having a mixed reaction. Nonetheless, per executive producer Sev Ohanian, thecharacter might surprise fans by breaking bad.

We first met Riri Williams (Thorne) in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as a MIT student who has made her own Iron Suit just like Tony Stark. Now she returns to lead her own series, but this story isn’t going to take the usual turn as Ohanian reveals, "Riri is brilliant yet flawed and finds herself going down a path that I'm not sure we've quite seen in the MCU," he told TotalFilms.

We...

Alex Gibney is known for exposés about Enron, CIA torture tactics and the cult of Scientology. For his sanity’s sake, sometimes he needs to make a movie about Paul Simon or Frank Sinatra or The Sopranos. The latter manifested as 2024’s Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos. Using HBO’s archives, creator Chase’s personal effects, interviews with the cast and writers and a replica of Dr. Melfi’s therapy office, Gibney and his team pieced together a moving tribute to the most important television show of the past 30 years.

What made you say yes?

I was asked to do it, and I wondered, “Do I want to do it?” I love The Sopranos, but I didn’t want to make a Wikipedia entry. Then I met David Chase, and I found him to be such a fascinating character. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be interesting to...

Quentin Tarantino has written and directed some of the most indelibly iconic movie scenes in cinematic history. There’s the ear-slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs. The gory gimp rape in Pulp Fiction. The Crazy 88 massacre in Kill Bill. The fiendish flamethrower finale in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…you name it. Yet, by Tarantino’s own admission, one unforgettable movie moment he authored possibly eclipses all else: The Sicilian Scene in Tony Scott’s True Romance, brought to vivid life and elevated to godly heights by Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper.

For the uninitiated, The Sicilian Scene features a scintillating showdown between Hopper’s Clifford Worley and Walken’s Vincenzo Coccotti. Coccotti arrives at Clifford’s trailer in Detroit looking for Clifford’s son, Clarence, who inadvertently made off with Drexl Spivey’s suitcase full of cocaine. After blasting Spivy and his henchmen to death, Clarence and his bride,...

George Clooney recently shared his glowing praise for HBO's The Pitt and his former co-star on ER, Noah Wyle. Over 30 years before Noah Wyle led the cast of The Pitt as Dr. Robby Robinavitch, he played John Carter in ER alongside George Clooney as Doug Ross. The Pitt has already drawn comparisons to ER - so much so that The Pitt had a lawsuit against it - not least of all because it puts Wyle in another medical drama focusing on an emergency room. Despite the comparisons, The Pitt was a resounding critical and popular success, and it received nearly universal praise.

While speaking on Late Night with Seth Meyers, George Clooney got a chance to share his thoughts about The Pitt and his praise for his former co-star, Noah Wyle.

“Have you guys seen that show [The Pitt]? It’s so good, and I have to say, we’ve been really dear friends since,...

It's almost 18 years after the final episode aired, and yet somehow, there are an unfortunate bunch who still haven't seen a single episode of "The Sopranos." We get it. Perhaps given the universal acclaim, the life (and maybe death?) of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is a bit daunting. What if you finally sit down to watch what many deem the greatest television show ever made and think you don't like it? What if it suffers from that classic ailment of "taking a few episodes before it gets good"? Well, worry not; after thoughtful consideration and mountains of gabagool, we've carefully picked a quintet of ideal episodes from David Chase's television masterpiece that will make you realize nothing is more important than family and dreams about talking fish.

From brutal moments of treachery to brilliantly funny standalone episodes, these are five extra-special chapters of what became a staple of storytelling...

Ranker is a popular place on the Internet where people can rank whatever they want, however, they want, and whenever they want. This is always a fan-focused ranking system, and it is never officially tied to the people behind the projects in question. Recently, a large survey was organized on Ranker, whose goal was to determine the best TV characters of all time. The list includes more than 800 characters, but in our report, we have decided to list the top ten characters from the site to provide you with better insight, combined with our original comments and opinions, which will add flavor to the whole report.

Of course, since this is indeed an important list, we have decided to report on it, so we are going to bring you the results by listing the top 10 characters on this list, from 10th to first place. We hope you’ll enjoy it!

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Mountainhead is a satirical comedy-drama film written and directed by Jesse Armstrong. The HBO film revolves around four billionaire friends as they gather for a secluded weekend retreat at a mountain head villa while the whole world struggles because of major financial turmoil. Mountainhead stars Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef. So, if you loved the biting dark comedy, pointed satire, and compelling but unlikable characters in Mountainhead, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

In the Loop (AMC+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – BBC Films

In the Loop is a British satirical dark comedy film directed by Armando Iannucci, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, and Tony Roche. Based on the British series The Thick of It, the 2009 film revolves around the fallout that followed after...

It’s been 25 years since The Sopranos debuted, and arguably no drama has had more of a lasting impact on how modern series are made. It’s that legacy that Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney sought to unpack in his two-part Max documentary Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos, which is contending in the upcoming Emmy Awards. Gibney brings his famously well-honed interview and research skills to exploring the show as well as the man behind it, creator-writer-director — and “Master Cylinder,” as we learn the cast referred to him — David Chase.

“To be able to look back, it was kind of past as prologue,” Gibney tells Gold Derby. “I learned some things about the making of the show that I just didn't know. ... That's what you go into this for. That's why I do what I do.”

The first part of the documentary explores the show’s origin story,...

The Sopranos cast continues to be one of the greatest ever assembled on television, with stars continually popping up in other projects. Widely regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time, the HBO series centers on Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a North Jersey-based mobster struggling with panic attacks who hesitantly starts therapy with Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). Key figures in the story include his family and fellow mobsters, especially his wife, Carmela, two children Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and A.J. (Robert Iler), and his ambitious cousin and protégé, Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli).

The Sopranos cast was a massive ensemble led by the late great James Gandolfini, who received six Emmy nominations and won three for his portrayal of Tony Soprano. His Mafia colleagues include the late Tony Sirico as the loyal yet volatile Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri, Steven Van Zandt as Tony's consigliere Silvio Dante, and Vincent Pastore as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero.

Spoilers for "The Last of Us" season 2, episode 6 follow.

Since the beginning of "The Last of Us" season 2, a name has been thrown around within the confines of Jacksonville that we've been keen to learn more about. This week, we finally got properly introduced to Eugene, the late husband of Gail (Catherine O'Hara), who we discovered was killed by Joel (Pedro Pascal) sometime between the show's two seasons. Much like how Frank was only referred to in the game but expanded on in season 1 thanks to the help of Murray Bartlett and his screen partner Nick Offerman as Bill, Eugene was a character that was only skimmed over in "The Last of Us Part II" video game. Explored through notes that Ellie (Bella Ramsey in the show) found on her travels, the live-action adaptation instead spent a healthy amount of time finding out about Eugene before Joel did the deed,...

Italian-Canadian filmmaker Panos Cosmatos is set to helm a vampire thriller set in 1980s Los Angeles with Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac playing a married couple. We can now share the casting update that actress Elizabeth Olsen (“Seven Sisters”) has officially joined the horror flick hailing from XYZ Films.

The new horror film boasts a script from veteran screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, who previously worked on David Fincher‘s “Se7en” and “The Killer” along with the lesser-known Joel Schumacher-directed nihilistic snuff film thriller “8mm” that featured Nicolas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix, and James Gandolfini.

Continue reading ‘Flesh Of The Gods’: Elizabeth Olsen Joins Panos Cosmatos’ ’80s-Set Vampire Thriller Co-Starring Kristen Stewart & Oscar Isaac at The Playlist.

This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: frenetic action, iconic actors, zooming camerawork and much more. Here’s what we’ve been up to…

At the Movies in the Noughties

Wazzup?! It’s a brand new week and brand new podcast on Fspn as Dev Elson begins a show focused on the 2000s, looking at a film an episode, starting with Mark McManus and The Bourne Identity, plus don’t miss Aj Black and Rob Turnbull discuss 2001’s Planet of the Apes…

Reel Talk

Gareth Evans, he of The Raid films, is back with another action fest for Netflix in Havoc, which Sam Stokes and guest Nick Chandler fight their way through the streets to explore…

Writers on Film

John Bleasdale gets into the mind of a great, much lamented actor as author Jason Bailey joins him to discuss his tome on the mighty James Gandolfini…

The X-Cast

Conspiracies...

Poorna Jagannathan went from playing a beloved mother on Never Have I Ever to being a terrifying mob boss on the hit Hulu comedy Deli Boys. And while there are plenty of strong and terrifying women that Jagannathan could have found inspiration from with the character of Lucky, she ended up looking to an unlikely source to find the character: Bravo. The reality television network is home to many shows, including The Real Housewives franchise. Which is where Jagannathan turned to discover what kind of mob boss Lucky was.

In an exclusive to People, Jagannathan said that she tried to watch things like The Sopranos, which had James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano, and documentaries on crime families, but what she found the most helpful was The Real Housewives of Orange County. She did not say if there was a specific housewife that she watched or modeled her character after. However,...

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Warfare is a war survival thriller drama film co-written and co-directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland. Based on Mendoza’s experiences of the Iraq War, the 2025 film follows a platoon of American Navy SEALs after a surveillance mission goes wrong, leaving them to fight against insurgent attacks to survive. Warfare stars D’Pharaoh Woon-a-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Noah Centineo, and Michael Gandolfini. So, if you loved the intense war drama, eye-opening brutality, and compelling characters in Warfare, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Civil War (Max & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – A24

Civil War is a dystopian action thriller film written and directed by Alex Garland. The 2024 film is set in a dystopian United States during a Civil War, and it revolves around a group...

Charley Scalies, best known for portraying Thomas "Horseface" Pakusa on HBO's The Wire and Tony Soprano's high school football coach in The Sopranos, has sadly passed away. The actor died on Thursday, May 1, at a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. His daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, told The Hollywood Reporter that Scalies had a long battle with Alzheimer's. A Philadelphia native, Scalies looked at all of his roles as a humbling experience, sharing in a 2015 interview that the thing that made him smile was knowing his great-grandchildren and beyond would "get to see what Poppi looked and sounded like." He was 84.

In The Wire, Scalies starred in the entire second season of the HBO series. The show takes a closer look at the narcotics scene in Baltimore through the eyes of law enforcers, drug dealers, and users. He portrayed Thomas Pakusa, nicknamed Horseface, an incarcerated former Ibs Local 1514 longshoreman from the port of Baltimore.

The late Charley Scalies was a renowned actor who you might recognize from The Wire or The Sopranos. He brought such grit and screen presence to his roles that one couldn’t help but admire the kind of artist he was.

With every role he played, Scalies made it seem like he was born for it, and in doing so, he gave life to characters who might have otherwise been forgotten or overlooked. His journey in Hollywood might be lesser known, but his impact will linger in the hearts of people who understood his talent.

Remembering the legacy of late Charley Scalies Charley Scalies in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

As per reports from RadarOnline, Charley Scalies passed away on May 1, 2025, after going through a year-long battle with Alzheimer’s. He died peacefully at the age of 84 in a nursing facility in Pennsylvania. In his final moments, Scalies was surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Remember Robert Iler from The Sopranos? The former child actor is most notable for his portrayal of A.J. Soprano, the son of Carmela and Tony Soprano and the younger brother of Meadow Soprano. He played this for almost a decade, and unfortunately, it took a toll on him that he decided to quit acting.

The show was one of the most successful HBO franchises, and the pressure to maintain that quality had its effect on the actors, particularly Iler. He was only 12 years old when he shot the pilot episode, and he spent a huge chunk of his teenage life working on television.

What happened to Robert Iler after The Sopranos ended? Robert Iler in The Sopranos / Credits: HBO

After Robert Iler’s stint in The Sopranos, fans have never seen him in any show or movie as he decided to leave acting altogether. What could have made him...

Charley Scalies, who starred in the second season of The Wire and also appeared on The Sopranos, died May 1 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 84.

Scalies died in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, his daughter Anne Marie Scalies confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Best known first and foremost as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, a public obituary for the actor states. “Professionally, Charley Scalies was an American actor and former business executive whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion,...

Charles “Charley” J. Scalies, Jr., who was best known for his portrayal of Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa on “The Wire,” died Thursday, May 1, from complications associated with Alzheimer’s. He was 84.

Scalies’ death was confirmed by his family.

“Professionally, Charley Scalies was an American actor and former business executive whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion, and a true joy for life. His favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table,” the family wrote in an obituary.

In addition to “The Wire,” Scalies also appeared in five seasons of “The Sopranos” as Coach Molinaro. In a 2015 interview, he told Matthew Toffolo that having the opportunity to be part of two major series was “humbling.”

The actor added that he especially appreciated that the shows will give his family the opportunity to remember him for a long time. “But the thing that really makes me smile is knowing my great grandkids,...

Charley Scalies, a character actor who appeared in HBO’s The Wire and The Sopranos and was a former business executive, died May 1 at the age of 84 following a protracted battle with Alzheimer’s.

The news was confirmed via a public obituary and his daughter Anne Marie Scalies’ statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Best known first and foremost as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend,” the obit read, “whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion, and a true joy for life. His favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table.”

Born Charles J. Scalies, Jr. on July 19, 1940 in Philadelphia, the performer entertained patrons of his father’s pool hall in South Philly with impressions and jokes beginning at a young age. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College and began performing on stage via community and dinner theater productions in the early ’90s. These roles...

Actor Charley Scalies, known in part for his roles in the HBO TV shows The Wire and The Sopranos, has passed away.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Scalies died on Thursday morning in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. His passing was confirmed by his daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, with his death attributed Alzheimer's disease. He was 84 years old.

A character actor, Scalies was perhaps best known for his role in the second season of The Wire on HBO in 2003. Appearing in all 12 of the season's episodes, Scalies played Horseface, a prisoner and former Ibs Local 1514 longshoreman from the Port of Baltimore. The actor has spoken in the past about how special the role of Horseface had been for him.

“As with all the other characters I’ve been blessed to portray, Horseface lives inside of me,” said Scalies in a 2019 interview. “I invite him out to play as needed.”

In a separate 2015 interview,...

The Sopranos is one of the best television shows ever.

The HBO hit series centers around James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, “an average, middle-aged husband and father…who just happens to be a mob boss. Feeling his grip on his family and his business slipping, Tony suffers a series of anxiety attacks that land him in the office of a psychiatrist.

There, he opens up about his life as a “waste-management consultant” and tries to come to terms with the professional and private strains that have brought him to the brink of a breakdown.”

Over the years, we have sadly lost several major stars from the series.

We’re taking a look back and honoring those we have lost along the way since filming, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the loss of these talented individuals. Rip.

Click through to find out who we lost from The Sopranos…...

Charley Scalies, the Philadelphia-bred character actor who portrayed the stevedore and union guy Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa on the second season of The Wire and Tony’s high school football coach in a dream sequence on The Sopranos, has died. He was 84.

Scalies died Thursday in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, his daughter Anne Marie Scalies told The Hollywood Reporter.

Scalies appeared on all 12 episodes of HBO’s The Wire during its second season in 2003 as Horseface, an incarcerated former Ibs Local 1514 longshoreman from the Port of Baltimore who’s devoted to his crooked boss, Frank Sobotka (Chris Bauer).

“As with all the other characters I’ve been blessed to portray, Horseface lives inside of me,” he said in a 2019 interview. “I invite him out to play as needed.”

Scalies was back on HBO the next year on the fifth-season Sopranos installment “The Test Dream,...

The Sopranos is no stranger to shocking deaths, whether it be Christopher Moltisanti or Sal Bonpensiero’s demise, and one thing common among them is that they’re greatly executed on-screen. However, one crucial death in the show has often been criticized for being a literal mess, which is unlike anything the show had offered during its six-year-long dominance on the small screen.

The Sopranos | Credit: HBO

But given David Chase’s history with the show, beneath the rather unsatisfying death, which ruffled a few feathers, it seems the showrunner’s decision to make Jackie Aprile Jr’s death unappealing might have been the point.

Jackie Aprile Jr’s death encapsulates his pathetic existence Jackie Jr.’ in The Sopranos| Credit: HBO

It’s not hard to see why viewers were initially disappointed by Jackie Aprile Jr’s demise, as in contrast to other deaths in the show, his death feels rushed,...