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While I take shelter in the safety of my air-conditioned home, Sony’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die is cranking up the summer heat by making the latest action blockbuster starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence available on Digital and On Demand on July 23. According to When to Stream, fans can expect the film to debut for purchase on July 23, though Sony Pictures has yet to announce the film’s digital release date.

When to Stream says Bad Boys: Ride or Die will be made available for purchase through streaming outlets like Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu.

The new sequel sees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence back in the roles of Miami narcotics detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. They’re joined in the cast by Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Joe Pantoliano. New additions to the cast include Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, and Rhea Seehorn. Tasha Smith...

Spike Lee didn’t care that Madonna wasn’t quite in vogue when casting his 1996 film “Girl 6.”

Lee, who has counted Madonna as a personal friend for years, told Vulture that he wanted the “Material Girl” singer to have a cameo in the feature after her bestie Debi Mazar was also cast. Mazar played a phone-sex operator whose coworker (Theresa Randle) is an aspiring actress. Madonna stars as their boss.

Yet Madonna’s acting career was in a downward spiral at the time after her two box office flops, “Body of Evidence” and “Dangerous Game.” Lee, regardless, was undeterred.

“I didn’t give a fuck,” Lee said. “She’s who I had in mind, and she wanted to do it, so that was it. She’s a pro.”

Lee also gave Madonna script notes on her now-shelved biopic that was set to star Julia Garner. Rumored to be titled “Little Sparrow,...

Bad Boys: Ride or Die has proven to be a big hit for Sony Pictures, with its current worldwide gross sitting at $227 million and growing. It also pushed the Bad Boys franchise over the $1 billion box-office mark. I’d imagine this is good news for a potential Bad Boys 5, and although nothing is official, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah do have a few ideas.

While speaking with Variety, the pair said they’d like to make Bad Boys 5 a more “international” story. “We’re going to first see what this is going to do,” Fallah said. “But what we want [is] to go around the world with them.“

El Arbi added, “In every country we were imagining, how would Mike and Marcus be in France, or how would they be in the U.K., or how would they be in Dubai, or in Morocco, or in Africa, or in Asia?...

Bad Boys franchise star Theresa Randle was recast in the latest sequel, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, as audiences wonder why that decision was made.

Randle had starred as the wife of Martin Lawrence's character in all three Bad Boys films to date. It was expected Randle would return to her role after Sony confirmed Bad Boys 4 was moving forward, but that was not the case.

[ Bad Boys: Ride or Die - Critics Share Strong First Reactions ] 

Read full article on The Direct.

On June 6, 2024, Sony Pictures released “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth film of this action-comedy franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. When their former captain is implicated in corruption, police officers Mike Lowry (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) have to work to clear his name. The movie is directed by Adil & Bilall and written by Chris Bremner and Will Beall.

Critics reviews are mixed on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that reads, “Will Smith and Martin Lawrence remain good company even when ‘Bad Boys’ strains to up the ante, proving there’s still life left in this high-octane franchise.” Perhaps more telling is the audience score of 98%, proving fans still love this funny duo. Joining the action this time around is a supporting cast that includes Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane and plenty of fun cameos. Read our full review round-up below.

See Box office...

The Bad Boys are back, baby! There have been some early screenings of Bad Boys: Ride or Die in the past weeks, and the first reactions on social media are quite positive. Our own Chris Bumbray caught a screening last week and was a big fan, saying the sequel was just as much fun as the last movie.

We got an early look at #BadBoysRideOrDie last week, and it’s just about as much fun as Bad Boys For Life. It’s a total blast, with some great action and a terrific role for Jacob Scipio, who has some really great action scenes.

— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) May 28, 2024

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is phenomenal.

I love the Bad Boys franchise. This one raised every bar. It’s nonstop hilarious. Innovative action beats. So much chemistry with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

The best time I’ve had at the movies in a while.

Bad Boys apparently really are for life as it seems that this action-packed franchise isn’t ending anytime soon with Sony Pictures’ Bad Boys 4 set to reach theatres in just a couple months. This series, centered on detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett of the Miami Police Department, has already produced three blockbuster films that have grossed over $840 million as well as a spinoff television show, L.A.’s Finest, making it one of the most successful buddy-cop action-comedy series in history. The most recent film, Bad Boys for Life, was one of the last movies to hit theaters before the pandemic shut them all down and was able to be a critical and box office success – so why would the franchise stop now? Will Smith and Martin Lawrence (Lowery and Burnett) are back for the fourth film, and this is music to the ears of fans of the series since...

"Mike – there's a storm coming. Things are gonna get bad..." Sony Pictures has debuted a second & final trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth Bad Boys movie after the previous #3 Bad Boys for Life from 2020. Dropping in theaters this June! This sequel is once again directed by Belgian-Moroccan action duo Adil & Bilall, who also directed Bad Boys for Life and Batgirl and Rebel. The world's favorite "Bad Boys" are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run in Miami. This one is produced by Columbia Pictures in association with 2.0 Ent., Don Simpson / Jerry Bruckheimer Films, and also Westbrook Studios. Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, DJ Khaled, and Jacob Scipio reprise their roles from the previous film, with Tasha Smith taking over the role of Theresa Burnett from Theresa Randle,...

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back as Mike Lowery and Marcus Barnett, respectively, for another balls-to-the-wall Bad Boys sequel in the latest and final Bad Boys: Ride or Die trailer! In the new film, everyone is trying to kill Mike and Marcus: criminals, drug dealers, wildlife—it doesn’t matter! Everyone is out for blood!

The new sequel sees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence back in the roles of Miami narcotics detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. They’re joined in the cast by Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Joe Pantoliano. New additions to the cast include Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, and Rhea Seehorn. Tasha Smith is also on board to play Marcus Burnett’s wife, replacing Theresa Randle, who played the character in the first three movies in the franchise.

While Michael Bay directed the first two movies in the Bad Boys franchise, the duo of...

The music festival Coachella hit this weekend with a wide array of genre artists. Notably, for the older millennial music fans, 90s bands such as Blur and No Doubt would take the stage. The festival would also feature a bevy of guest appearances that include such acts as Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Shakira, Paris Hilton and Kesha. Kesha would set social media and news outlets ablaze as she changed the lyrics to her hit song “Tik Tok” to say “fuck P. Diddy” during her performance with Reneé Rapp.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that during J Balvin’s set, Will Smith arrived on stage in his black suit and shades, which was “the last suit you’d ever wear” in Smith’s 1997 blockbuster film, Men in Black. Smith and Balvin would then duet in rapping to the title track of the sci-fi comedy that also starred Tommy Lee Jones. Their performance...

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Trailer Still. (Photo Credit – Youtube)

Bad Boys: Ride or Die trailer is now out. The American buddy cop action comedy stars Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nunez, Eric Dane, Tasha Smith, John Salley, DJ Khaled and others. It is the fourth instalment of the Bad Boys franchise. Adil El Arbi and Bilaal Fallah helm the fourth film.

The official synopsis for Bad Boys: Ride or Die reads, “This Summer, the world’s favourite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your-seat action and outrageous comedy, but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.” The trailer looks quite exciting as Mike and Marcus reunite. Their last thrilling mission was in 2020 with the film, Bad Boys for Life. The fourth film is a sequel to the 2020 action film, which was also directed by Adil and Bilall.

"I don't know how high up this sh*t goes, but don't trust anybody... now clear my name." Sony Pictures has revealed the main official trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth Bad Boys movie after Bad Boys for Life from 2020. This sequel is once again directed by Belgian-Moroccan action duo Adil & Bilall, who also directed Bad Boys for Life and Batgirl and Rebel. Opening in theaters this June, the world's favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run. Once again an action adventure through the crazy streets of Miami. This one is produced by Columbia Pictures in association with 2.0 Ent., Don Simpson / Jerry Bruckheimer Films, and also Westbrook Studios. Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, DJ Khaled, and Jacob Scipio reprise their roles from the previous film,...

2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the first film in the Bad Boys action franchise – but they’re not waiting around another year to release a sequel. Sony Pictures is set to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the first movie by giving Bad Boys 4 a theatrical release on June 7th (a date that puts it direct opening weekend competition with The Crow remake). With that date right around the corner, a trailer for Bad Boys 4 has arrived online, and you can check it out in the embed above! The trailer reveals that the film has officially been titled Bad Boys Ride or Die.

The new sequel sees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence back in the roles of Miami narcotics detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, and they’re joined in the cast by Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Joe Pantoliano. New additions to the cast include Eric Dane,...

Will Smith took to Instagram to announce that production on Bad Boys 4 has wrapped, leaving just three short months to go until the sequel hits theaters. The post includes an image from Bad Boys 4 that features Smith and co-star Martin Lawrence as Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, fist-bumping in celebration.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

The captain reads: “Wrapped! Nothin’ but Magic every time I’m with my guy. See y’all June 7 for Bad Boys 4!!“

The last sequel, Bad Boys for Life, arrived nearly twenty years after the release of Bad Boys II. The film was a big success, and the studio quickly got the ball rolling on a sequel. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah returned to direct Bad Boys 4, with production kicking off last April, but they were forced to pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Nearly twenty years after the release of Bad Boys II, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprised their roles of Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett in Bad Boys for Life. The film was a big success, and the studio quickly got the ball rolling on a sequel. Bad Boys 4 actually started shooting this spring with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah returning to direct. Although the production had to pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the directors spoke on The Playlist’s The Discourse podcast to tease what to expect from Bad Boys 4.

Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah didn’t say much, but they did say that Bad Boys 4 will have a lighter tone than its predecessor. “I think that there’s going to be way more comedy,” El Arbi said. “The third one had the dramatic tone. With this one, it’s really our...

“Better Call Saul” breakout Rhea Seehorn will be joining Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the untitled fourth “Bad Boys” film, TheWrap has confirmed. Details of her character – and anything else pertaining to the plot of the movie – are being heavily guarded but no doubt will occur somewhere in Miami.

Seehorn played lawyer Kim Wexler for 60 episodes on Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s “Better Call Saul,” a spinoff of the popular “Breaking Bad” that is the rare example of a spinoff being just as good (if not better) than the original.

Seehorn has also been in several movies, everything from the Tim Allen version of “The Shaggy Dog” back in 2006, to the Netflix horror movie “Things Heard & Seen” with Amanda Seyfried (from “American Splendor” filmmakers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini), but this fourth “Bad Boys” will definitely be her biggest movie yet.

Also Read:

‘Better Call Saul...

Los Angeles, May 4 (Ians) Tasha Smith will join Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the latest installment of Sony Pictures’ ‘Bad Boys’ franchise, reports ‘Variety’.

In ‘Bad Boys 4’, Smith will play Theresa, Marcus Burnett’s (Lawrence) loving and devoted wife, a role previously inhabited by Theresa Randle in the first three ‘Bad Boys’ films. Plot details for ‘Bad Boys 4’ have been kept under wraps.

Smith, according to ‘Variety’, is best known for her roles as Carol in the drama series ‘Empire’, Ronnie Boyce in HBO’s Emmy-winning series ‘The Corner’ and Angela in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married?’. She has also directed episodes of ‘Our Kind of People’, ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ and ‘Bel-Air’.

The ‘Bad Boys’ series has Will Smith and Lawrence playing Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett. The fourth film also features Paola Nunez, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig and ‘Euphoria’ star Eric Dane.

Sony‘s Bad Boys 4 is getting a casting shakeup as Tasha Smith replaces Theresa Randle as Marcus Burnett’s (Martin Lawrence) wife, also named Theresa. Randle plays Theresa in the first three Bad Boys movies. Plot details remain a mystery, though we should learn more soon, as the film is in the process of shooting.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence announced their excitement for the sequel during CinemaCon, saying they’re four weeks into filming the action-packed follow-up to 202’s Bad Boys For Life. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah return to direct. Chris Bremner is writing the script, with Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith for Westbrook, Doug Belgrad, and Chad Oman producing. Martin Lawrence, James Lassiter, Mike Stenson, Barry Waldman, and Jon Mone executive produce.

Before the Covid pandemic threw the world into chaos and lockdown, the third movie in the Bad Boys franchise, Bad Boys for Life, banked over $426M worldwide.

Tasha Smith will join Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the latest installment of Sony Pictures’ “Bad Boys” franchise.

In “Bad Boys 4,” Smith will play Theresa, Marcus Burnett’s (Lawrence) loving and devoted wife, a role previously inhabited by Theresa Randle in the first three “Bad Boys” films. Plot details for “Bad Boys 4” have been kept under wraps.

Smith is best known for her roles as Carol in the drama series “Empire,” Ronnie Boyce in HBO’s Emmy-winning series “The Corner” and Angela in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” She has also directed episodes of “Our Kind of People,” “Mayor of Kingstown” and “Bel-Air.”

Smith is repped by Greene Talent & Fox Rothschild.

The “Bad Boys” series stars Will Smith and Lawrence as Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett. The fourth film also features Paola Núnez, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig and “Euphoria’s” Eric Dane.

Burbank, Calif., May 11, 2021 – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved classic, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that the perennial family film Space Jam will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on July 6th.

Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes linchpin Bugs Bunny star in the family comedy classic that introduced a whole new dimension of entertainment. The film also stars Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, and the voice of Danny DeVito. Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing appear as themselves. Space Jam was produced by Ivan Reitman and directed by Joe Pytka.

Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.

Space Jam will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack for $24.99 Erp and includes an Ultra...

You can officially stop calling it “Space Jam 2.” In an Instagram post Thursday, LeBron James revealed the title for the sequel to the Looney Tunes-Meets-Basketball film along with the film’s logo.

The sequel is now titled “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” and the film’s release date is still set for 2021.

The 1996 original film starred Michael Jordan playing basketball alongside Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang. “Space Jam: A New Legacy” updates the premise with LeBron James leading the cast, and major current NBA stars are expected to make cameos. It also stars Don Cheadle.

Also Read: Charles Barkley Dunks on LeBron James' Planned 'Space Jam' Reboot: 'We Don't Need 2'

“Girls Trip” filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee is directing from a screenplay by Justin Lin, Willie Ebersol, Andrew Dodge and Alfredo Botello. “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler is producing.

The original “Space Jam,...

With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.

Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” is one of those forgotten “Joints” that confounded critics and audiences at the time of its initial release. Twenty years later, it’s enjoying a renaissance — thanks to a recently-released Criterion Collection DVD/Blu-ray edition of this long out-of-print title — and a much-deserved reassessment of this scathing and insightful satire. But it’s not the only one that deserves a second look. Four years before “Bamboozled,” Lee made another idiosyncratic movie filled with big ideas. Like “Bamboozled,” Lee’s 1996 dramedy “Girl 6” also baffled viewers at the time, but its insights into race and gender in Hollywood still resonate today.

More from IndieWireStream of the Day: 'The Spectacular Now' and the Brilliant Long Take That Deserves More PraiseStream...

After skipping “Independence Day 2” and the latest reboot of “Men in Black,” returning to the “Bad Boys” franchise — which began 25 years ago — was a simple decision for Will Smith.

“Of all the movies I’ve done, when people walk up to you on the street and say, ‘Hey man, when are you gonna do another one?’ It’s ‘Bad Boys,’” Smith told Variety at the premiere of “Bad Boys for Life.” “Nobody’s asking for ‘Pursuit of Happyness 2.’”

After a few false starts for the project in the 17 years since “Bad Boys II,” Smith’s Miami detective Mike Lowrey is back on the beat with Martin Lawrence‘s Marcus Burnett. And Lawrence admitted it was an easy decision for him, too, telling Variety that he said yes because “we wanted to give the people what they wanted.”

On Tuesday night, Smith and Lawrence gave the fans lining Hollywood Blvd.

Bad Boys For Life Trailer Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah‘s Bad Boys for Life (2020) movie trailer have been released by Sony Pictures and stars Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle, and Vanessa Hudgens. Plot Synopsis Bad Boys for Life‘s plot synopsis: “The new installment centers on the Miami [...]

Continue reading: Bad Boys For Life (2020) Movie Trailer: Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Return as Miami Pd’s Comedic Duo...

In this edition of Sequel Bits: Ben Affleck still wants to make an Accountant sequel. Ridley Scott might still be making an Alien: Covenant follow-up. See a new pic from Jumanji 3. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen talks John Wick: Chapter 3. A Game of Thrones actor has joined the cast of the Avatar sequels. Theresa Randle is back for Bad Boys 3. Remember The […]

The post Sequel Bits: ‘The Accountant’, ‘Alien’, ‘Jumanji’, ‘John Wick’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Bad Boys’ appeared first on /Film.

Fresh off his very first Oscar win, Spike Lee's got a new legal headache ... over one of his movies from the '90s and a Prince song. Longtime friends Prince and Spike teamed up for his 1996 flick, "Girl 6" ... with Prince writing and performing the title song for the soundtrack. According to a lawsuit filed by James Brandon, that track jacked one of his songs. In docs, obtained by TMZ, Brandon says he was...

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the beloved classic Space Jam – out November 14 for the very first time on UK Blu-ray from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment – we are giving a copy away!

The new release will include Commentary from Cast and Director, Featurettes and Music Videos, as well as New Steelbook Packaging exclusive to The Hut.

Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes linchpin Bugs Bunny star in the family comedy classic that introduced a whole new dimension of entertainment. The film also stars Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle and the voice of Danny DeVito. Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing appear as themselves.

The world’s greatest legends collide in a future universe with Jordan as a live-action hero entering a spectacular animated world. Captured by Bugs Bunny to foil a ghastly gang of space creatures, Jordan must play the basketball game of his life to...

Artwork by Marc Gabbana Spawn - Tendrils Cape Concept - Offensive Weapon Arm Blades Active Mode - All Spike Functions Costume Concept - Alternate Muscle Forms Early Grappling Hook & Leg Spikes Designs Motorcycle Concepts Skull Grabber Cape Concept Head Spikes & Blades Concepts This live-action film based on the popular comic strip involves a CIA agent who dies in a botched operation and strikes a deal with the devil. Spawn (1997) - It was directed by Mark A.Z. Dippé, from a screenplay written by Alan B. McElroy. The cast included: Michael Jai White as Al Simmons/Spawn, John Leguizamo as Violator, Martin Sheen as Jason Wynn, Nicol Williamson as Cogliostro, Theresa Randle as Wanda Blake-Fitzgerald, D. B. Sweeney as Terry Fitzgerald, Melinda Clarke as Jessica Priest and Frank Welker as Malebolgia (voice). On a $40 million budget, the film grossed $87 million at the worldwide box office.

Last month HBO was showing Spike Lee's Girl 6(1996) and this month (until May 28) Crooklyn (1994).

I have been encouraging folks to take a look at the films and report back on how it compares to their first viewing -- if they have seen it before and if they have not, how it aligns with their "understanding" of the auteur's style. I am currently writing about his contributions to American cinema and not only was I surprised at the results, but, so were the individual spectators. The truth is that Lee's films are far more complex than people remember or are conscious of when watching them. Here are some of the things I called attention to in our post viewing conversations about Crooklyn and Girl 6:

1: They each have women at the center of the narrative.

2: The director appears in both films.

3: They have elements that...

Rank the week of October 4th’s Blu-ray and DVD new releases against the best films of all-time: New Releases Fast Five

(Blu-ray & DVD | PG13 | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #803

Win Percentage: 57%

Times Ranked: 5781

Top-20 Rankings: 40

Directed By: Justin Lin

Starring: Dwayne Johnson • Vin Diesel • Paul Walker • Jordana Brewster • Elsa Pataky

Genres: Action • Action Thriller • Chase Movie • Crime • Drama • Thriller

Rank This Movie

Scream 4

(Blu-ray & DVD | R | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #1420

Win Percentage: 49%

Times Ranked: 6843

Top-20 Rankings: 26

Directed By: Wes Craven

Starring: Alison Brie • Neve Campbell • David Arquette • Hayden Panettiere • Courteney Cox

Genres: Horror • Mystery • Slasher Film • Thriller

Rank This Movie

Submarine

(Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 2010)

Flickchart Ranking: #2772

Win Percentage: 60%

Times Ranked: 1079

Top-20 Rankings: 10

Directed By: Richard Ayoade

Starring: Craig Roberts • Yasmin Paige • Sally Hawkins • Paddy Considine • Noah Taylor

Genres: Comedy Drama • Coming-of-Age • Drama

Rank This Movie

Classics & Re-releases Salo, Or The 120 Days Of Sodom

(Criterion Blu-ray & DVD | Nr | 1976)

Flickchart Ranking: #4386

Win Percentage: 43%

Times Ranked:...

This post was originally published when Shit Year premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. The film opens today at the IFC Center.

It is both accurate and reductive to call Cam Archer’s Shit Year, which premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in the Director’s Fortnight section, the story of a retiring actress grappling with the emotions produced by her move away from the Hollywood spotlight. Of course, on narrative terms, that is what it’s about. Ellen Barkin plays the actress, who has just given her final talk-show interview, moved to a cabin in the woods, and now spends her days avoiding her neighbors and flashing back to a brief affair she had with a younger actor (Luke Grimes) on the set of her last film. In an eerily composed performance, Barkin projects the steely emotional control of a woman determined not to descend into...

Slow news day today… stumbled upon this post from 2009, back when the site had about 10 readers . Thought I’d repost since there are so many more of you regulars now, who probably haven’t seen it.

I do that from time to time, as some of you may have already noticed. But anyway, here ya go…

My good man, self-proclaimed cinephile, aesthete, dad, unrepentant liberal, resolute agnostic, English teacher, filmmaker-manqué, and once co-host of the previous incarnation of my podcast, The Obenson Report, the Genius Bastard himself, Mr Brandon Wilson, decided to utilize Twitter to count down his list of Spike Lee’s 10 Worst Female Characters. And since Twitter only allows a 140-character limit per post, he had to keep his analysis succinct, spread out over several Tweets.

I told Brandon that I’ll post each entry on his list, as he Tweets them, and combined them all in this post.

We haven’t done one of these in a little while.

So there I was, entering the subway station here in NYC, to begin a long hard day at the office, and a car zooms by, playing a song that was instantly familiar to me, although it’s one I haven’t heard in a long time; I had to do a little mental work to remember the name of the artist. The song was I’m Overjoyed, the 1992 R&B hit by a then 18-year old Nona Gaye (daughter of Marvin Gaye) from her debut album, Love for the Future.

Y’all remember that? I was just about entering college at the time.

Of course, being reminded of Ms Gaye, I was left wondering what the heck she’s been up to lately, because we haven’t seen her on any screens (big or small), or heard any music from her much recently.

You see, that’s exactly the thing about the Cannes Film Festival – you can even see a movie with title like this – Shit Year and have a freedom to write “shit” all over the report. Just joking.

Shit Year

But I still like this Cam Archer’s new project, with lovely Ellen Barkin in the leading role. Actually, everything about Shit Year looked perfect from the first moment, especially this picture with Ellen’s double-sad-clown-with-cigarette face. I mean, is there better way to describe something titled Shit Year? Guess not.

So, here’s the synopsis part: “Renowned actress Collen West abandons her successful career for a secluded life in the hills. But the quiet and peace of mind she longed for is disrupted by the noisy construction of neighboring housing developments. Before long, Colleen discovers that she really can’t stand herself now that she has given up the only...

We haven’t done one of these in a little while.

So there I was, exiting the subway station here in NYC, after a long hard day at the office, and a car zooms by, playing a song that was instantly familiar to me, although it’s one I haven’t heard in a long time; I had to do a little mental work to remember the name of the artist. The song was I’m Overjoyed, the 1992 R&B hit by a then 18-year old Nona Gaye (daughter of Marvin Gaye) from her debut album, Love for the Future.

Y’all remember that? I was just about entering college at the time.

Of course, being reminded of Ms Gaye, I was left wondering what the heck she’s been up to lately, because we haven’t seen her on any screens (big or small), or heard any music from her recently.

You’re looking at a still photo from a feature film called Shit Year (I love that title), by Cam Archer (a name I’m not at all familiar with), which will screen at next month’s Cannes Film Festival Director’s Fortnight section.

The film stars Ellen Barkin as a woman, once a renowned actress, who has given up her passion, and comes unhinged as she confronts retirement and life at the twilight of her career. Haunted, she plummets into a hallucinatory affair with a much younger actor who she met while doing a small play.

Scrolling through the film’s credits led me to Ms Theresa Randle (left), who plays a character named Marion; although I’m not sure how meaty her role in the film is, which IONCinema (familiar with Cam Archer’s short resume of work) expects will be a “highly stylized, visually alluring piece” (which...

Marilu Henner attending the House Of Taylor Grand Opening at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills on December 12, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo copyright by Fame Pictures. Kevin Sorbo attending the House Of Taylor Grand Opening at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills on December 12, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo copyright by Fame Pictures. Frances Fisher attending the House Of Taylor Grand Opening at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills on December 12, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo copyright by Fame Pictures. Frances Fisher attending the House Of Taylor Grand Opening at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills on December 12, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo copyright by Fame Pictures. Theresa Randle attending the...

Oscar-nominee Viola Davis has joined F. Gary Gray's upcoming thriller "Law Abiding Citizen."

The film, which just recently started shooting, follows a successful assistant D.A. who finds himself at the center of a vigilante plot hatched by a traumatized victim of the legal system.

After finding out that one of his wife and daughter’s murderers will be set free via a plea bargain, Butler’s character decides to take revenge against those responsible for the murders and the deal.

Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle also on board.

Frank Darabont was originally attached to directed the project, but he bowed out and worked on the script with Kurt Wimmer and David Ayer instead. Sheldon Turner recently boarded the project to do some rewriting.

Davis most recently scored an Oscar nomination for her role in "Doubt." She also recently starred in "Nights in Rodanthe.

Viola Davis, who recently picked up an Oscar nomination for her work in Doubt, has joined the psychological thriller Law Abiding Citizen. The actress joins Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle. F. Gary Gray is directing the film, which centers on a district attorney who orchestrates a plea bargain that sets free the killers of another man’s family. The aggrieved victim then seeks personal justice from the D.A. The Longest Yard screenwriter Sheldon Turner recently came on to do a polish on the script. Writers Kurt Wimmer (The Recruit), David Ayer (Harsh Times) and Frank Darabont (The Mist), who was once in line to direct Citizen, have also worked on the script. Butler is also producing the film along with Alan Siegel, Lucas Foster and Mark Gill. Gray’s previous directing credits include Friday, Set it Off, The Negotiator, The Italian Job remake and Be Cool.

As I am sure many of you have noticed I have stopped reporting on all of the casting and directing updates that come out of the pages of Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Sure, a few of them peak my interest and get posted, but for the most part I believe it comes rather redundant. Every single movie news website/blog does this on a daily basis in a cut and paste format and I was just of the opinion it took up space and made this site no different than any of the others and where is the fun in that? However, that doesn't mean some of the announced projects aren't of interest, it just means they aren't necessarily worthy of their own post, so I have decided to take a stab at simplifying things and hope to be able to do this on a weekly basis as I...

The troubled Gerard Butler/Jamie Foxx vehicle ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ has finally found a cast, just in time for the film’s scheduled filming at the end of January.

MTV has the story -

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney, and Theresa Randle have joined the cast of “Law Abiding Citizen.”

“Citizen” centers around a district attorney (played by Foxx) who orchestrates a plea bargain that sets free the killers of another man’s family. The aggrieved victim (played by Butler) then seeks personal justice from the D.A. There’s no hint yet as to what roles our new cast members will be taking on.

“Citizen,” which marks the producing debut of Butler’s shingle, Evil Twins, has already had its share of behind the scenes drama. After casting Foxx, the film promptly lost its original director, Frank Darabont, and had to quickly replace him with F. Gary Gray.

There's just something so gratifying about a vigilante flick isn't there? Sure, they might be a little silly, but you're usually guaranteed a very satisfying night at the movies. Now that F. Gary Gray's Law Abiding Citizen is back gearing up for production, The Hollywood Reporter has announced that four new cast members have just signed to star alongside Gerard Butler and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx in the thriller; they are: Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb (Iron Man), Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle (Bad Boys II).

In Citizen, Butler plays a successful assistant D.A., who finds himself at the center of a plot for revenge hatched by Foxx after he's been screwed by the legal system. When Foxx discovers that one of the men responsible for the death of his wife and daughter is about to go free, he targets everyone who had either something to do with the murder,...

Talk has quieted down about Law Abiding Citizen since last fall, when Frank Darabont left the project on what were apparently bad terms. But the Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler vehicle seems ready to get off the ground, now that it's added four more cast members to its roster. Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle have all signed on, according to The Hollywood Reporter. None of these are particularly big marquee names-- well, one of them is Dumbledore--but hey, not everyone in the cast can be the big star. No word on what the actors' roles will be, but they'll fit somewhere into the story of a man who goes vigilante (Foxx) when the district attorney (Butler) frees the people who killed his family. Sounds like a familiar story, but you never know what can be done with the right script and actors. So long as it's...

Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle have joined the cast of Law Abiding Citizen, says The Hollywood Reporter. Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx are already on board for the thriller, which focuses on an assistant Da (Butler) who finds himself involved in a vigilante plot masterminded by a victim of the legal system (Foxx). The Italian (more)...

Four are set to join Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in the upcoming thriller "Law Abiding Citizen," it has been announced.

Sir Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meany, and Theresa Randle have been added to the cast of the film. It has not been disclosed what parts they are playing.

The film tells the story of a district attorney who arranges a plea bargain that sets free the killer of a man's family. The victim then seeks personal justice from the D.A.

Butler is producing, along with Alan Siegel, Lucas Foster and Mark Gill. Production starts on January 21.

Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle have all joined the cast of Law Abiding Citizen. Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx are starring, and F Gary Gray is directing the flick about a district attorney (Butler) who orchestrates a plea bargain that sets free the killers of another man's family. The aggrieved victim (Foxx) then seeks personal justice from the D.A. Depending on your taste, the highlight for you might be that David Ayer (Training Day) had a hand in the script....

With just a couple of weeks to go before the cameras roll on F. Gary Gray’s thriller, Law Abiding Citizen, four more actors have signed on to join the movie’s stars, Gerry Butler and Jamie Foxx.The quartet of hot acting talent are: Sir Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb (last seen as the cute reporter in Iron Man), Theresa Randle (Martin Lawrence’s wife, Theresa, in the Bad Boys series) and Star Trek vet Colm Meaney.No word yet on the specific roles the foursome will be playing in the thriller, in which Foxx plays a grieving husband and father who mounts a personal vendetta against Butler’s D.A., the man who let the killers of his family go free.Law Abiding Citizen, of course, has been something of a troubled project, with original director Frank Darabont exiting the production late last year, to be replaced by Gray.

Michael Gambon, Colm Meaney, Leslie Bibb and Theresa Randle have joined the cast of Law Abiding Citizen. The film, which already stars Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, is set to be directed by F Gary Gray starting later this month. Sheldon Turner (who penned The Longest Yard) has recently been hired to polish up the script originally written by Kurt Wimmer, and which has already been re-written once by David Ayer. Frank Darabont And let’s not forget Frank Darabont, who had been set to direct the film before leaving due to creative... .

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The cast for the upcoming thriller Law Abiding Citizen has grown by four. Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Theresa Randle have joined Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in the F. Gary Gray-directed vigilante movie, report the trades. Citizen centers on a district attorney who orchestrates a plea bargain that sets free the killers of another man's family. The aggrieved victim then seeks personal justice from the D.A. The Longest Yard screenwriter Sheldon Turner recently came on to do a polish on the script. Writers Kurt Wimmer (The Recruit), David Ayer (Harsh Times) and Frank Darabont (The Mist), who was once in line to direct Citizen, have also worked on the script. Butler is also producing the film along with Alan Siegel, Lucas Foster and Mark Gill. Gray’s previous directing credits include Friday, Set it Off, The Negotiator, The Italian Job remake and Be Cool. The...

Things are starting to look up for Law Abiding Citizen. The project was admittedly on shaky ground when Frank Darabont departed and was replaced by F. Gary Gray. Nothing against Gray, but...

Now the Jamie Foxx/ Gerard Butler crime drama is about to speed into production, and four new cast members have been named by The Hollywood Reporter. Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney, and Theresa Randle will join the cast of the Butler-produced movie about a District Attorney who negotiates a plea bargain for the release from prison of the killers of a man's family. The victimized civilian then seeks revenge against the D.A.

Butler will play the vigiliante, Foxx the District Attorney, although those roles have been switched in recent months.

It's a good concept - another spin on the justice-over-law genre - but getting the film to this point has not been smooth sailing. In addition to Darabont,...