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Nearly 30 years later, Dane Cook still laments blowing his shot at sketch comedy greatness.

The comedian admitted he “definitely felt like I let myself down” as he recently reflected on skipping his audition for Saturday Night Live early in his career after experiencing a panic attack outside the building.

“On my way to my audition at SNL, I had a full-on panic attack,” said Cook on the Fly on the Wall podcast. “I sat on a bench outside of Rockefeller Plaza. And I didn’t go in. I actually called my manager. I said … ‘I can’t do it.’ And he’s like, ‘Why? They’re all waiting for you. They wanna see you. They’re looking for something to fill that void.'”

He said he was scouted during some of his stand-up shows shortly after Adam Sandler left the NBC sketch comedy show in 1995. “And I blew it on the day,...

Exclusive: Dane Cook is set to reteam with Greg Coolidge, his director on the 2006 Lionsgate comedy Employee of the Month, on Guys Night, an indie comedy based on the 2011 Black List script by Christopher Baldi.

The film follows a man who, after hitting a major rut in his marriage, is convinced the only way to save the relationship is to have the ultimate night out with his male co-workers.

Cook will produce, as will Jim Valdez through his Fortress Media Group. Seth Yanklewitz (The Hangover) is casting, with production scheduled for a late summer start. Christopher Barish, Kyle Hayes and Matt Bass are the executive producers.

Breaking out in the late ’90s and early 2000s as one of the biggest comedians in the world, Cook remains among the top-selling, as highlighted by his sold-out performance at Netflix Is a Joke and his upcoming nationwide Live Nation tour, “Fresh New Flavor.

Tubi, Fox’s free streaming service, has announced its list of May titles. The May 2024 slate features new Tubi Originals as well as numerous action, art house, Black cinema, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, kids and family, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and Western titles.

As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, Tubi engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library, which includes over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Tubi Originals, and nearly 250 Fast channels.

You can watch the Tubi May 2024 lineup for free on Android and iOS mobile devices, Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub Max, Comcast Xfinity X1, and Cox Contour.

You can also watch the service on connected television devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Vizio TVs, Sony TVs, Samsung TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and on the Tubi site.

Tubi Originals

Action...

Dane Cook has an exciting update!

The 51-year-old comedian revealed that there is a potential path forward for smash hit 2006 film Employee of the Month, co-starring Dane, Jessica Simpson and Dax Shepard, to be turned into a TV show.

“We got our notes back from Lionsgate, there is a possible path forward for Employee of the Month as a new streaming series,” he began.

Keep reading to find out more…

“Nothing is guaranteed Yet but I will keep you all filled in as we move forward. Eotm has become such a beloved film. I can’t believe how much response I get from around the world. People quote it every day to me,” he continued.

“I loved playing Zack and hope to bring him back! I had no idea that behind The Expendables, Employee of the Month is the most successful film (post box office) for Lionsgate. I can’t...

How many millions of records have you sold? If you're Jessica Simpson, that number is well over 20 million. If you're not Jessica Simpson — and you're not, like, Elton John or one of those guys from Aerosmith — that number is probably a heck of a lot less. At the turn of the century, thanks to hit singles like "I Wanna Love You Forever" and her reality TV series "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica," Jessica Simpson was one of the most famous human beings in the entire world. And she's still really darned famous.

And like most singers who break into the popular zeitgeist, Simpson has also tried her hand at acting. She's probably best known on the big screen for playing the role of Daisy Duke in the 2005 "Dukes of Hazzard" movie, or at least for her cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" from the soundtrack. She also did a...

Actress-singer Jessica Simpson shared an Instagram photo of herself modelling a swimsuit from her clothing line on Thursday. She wrote in the caption: “Thirsty”. She posed against a wall while sporting the swimsuit from her collection, reports People magazine.

She regained control of her company after she bought it from partner Sequential Brands Group in 2021. Dripped in jewels, she wore a pearl choker, a dainty silver choker, a gold necklace with a diamond pendant of a tiger’s head, a single silver bracelet and a pair of large bejewelled silver hoop earrings.

As per People, she accessorised her look with a pair of bronze metallic pointed high heels and oversized aviator sunglasses. The ‘Employee of the Month’ actress completed her look with a dark brown smokey eyeshadow look and a glossy nude lip.

During an October chat about a recent Jessica Simpson Collection drop, Simpson revealed her daughters Maxwell “Maxi” Drew,...

Actress-singer Jessica Simpson shared an Instagram photo of herself modelling a swimsuit from her clothing line on Thursday. She wrote in the caption: “Thirsty”. She posed against a wall while sporting the swimsuit from her collection, reports People magazine.

She regained control of her company after she bought it from partner Sequential Brands Group in 2021. Dripped in jewels, she wore a pearl choker, a dainty silver choker, a gold necklace with a diamond pendant of a tiger’s head, a single silver bracelet and a pair of large bejewelled silver hoop earrings.

As per People, she accessorised her look with a pair of bronze metallic pointed high heels and oversized aviator sunglasses. The ‘Employee of the Month’ actress completed her look with a dark brown smokey eyeshadow look and a glossy nude lip.

During an October chat about a recent Jessica Simpson Collection drop, Simpson revealed her daughters Maxwell “Maxi” Drew,...

Exclusive: Harland Williams (Dumb and Dumber) has wrapped production on Wing Man, his sophomore feature behind the camera, in which he also stars opposite comics Russell Peters (The Opening Act) and Jamie Kennedy (Malibu’s Most Wanted).

Others rounding out the cast of the indie comedy, written and directed by Williams, include Evan Marsh (Workin’ Moms), Shiva Negar (The Cleaning Lady), Kayla Wallace (When Calls the Heart) and Dylan Flashner (The Card Counter).

The film watches as Bob (Marsh) loses his fiancée Terri (Negar) to the wealthy Kazeem (Peters), hiring the Wing Man, Turk (Williams), to help him get her back. Subsequently, though, the Wing Man faces off against his arch enemy — the other Wing Man, Eddie (Kennedy) — who has other plans for Bob. Through car races and bar hopping, this quest for love teaches Bob that true love is found right in front of him. Always there is his faithful assistant,...

Joe Simpson — a manager and producer who is perhaps best known for once steering the careers of his famous daughters, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson — has a new gig.

Simpson has joined Eris Talent Agency as chief operating officer, effective immediately. In the Los Angeles-based role, Simpson will partner with Eris owners Tina Randolph Contogenis and Amy Lord Posey and be charged with oversight of the talent agency’s revenue-driving areas, including packaging arm, Eris Entertainment.

Eris Talent Agency, which also maintains offices in New York, has a client list that includes Maite Perroni, Todd Bridges, Shondrella Avery, Nancy McKeon, John Posey, Cristian de la Fuente, Jesse Posey, Mindy Cohn, Musetta Vander, John Kapelos, Miktzi Kapture, Karen Lynn Gorney and Yuri Lowenthal, among many others.

Simpson is a recognizable face who was ubiquitous presence in the aughts as he oversaw the careers of both Jessica and Ashlee. Pop culture aficionados will...

Exclusive: Succession‘s Alan Ruck is attached to star opposite prolific character actor Sean Whalen in the horror-comedy Crust, which Whalen is directing in his feature debut. The project reteams the duo who previously starred together alongside Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton and more in the classic Warner Bros disaster pic, Twister.

Related Story Meredith Hagner To Star In Dark Comedy ‘Girlshow’ In Works At Hulu From Sally Bradford McKenna & Dakota Johnson Related Story 'Succession' Returns To Production, Season 4 Details Revealed Related Story Amazon Studios' Film 'The Burial' Adds 'Succession's Alan Ruck

Written by Whalen and Jim Wald, Crust tells the story of a lonely laundromat owner, Vegas Winters (Whalen), who keeps the leftover socks from customers and uses them to clean himself. When he gets abused and weeps into the pile of socks, it turns into a creature who seeks revenge on Vegas’ enemies.

Ruck plays Randy Roberts,...

We often hear the whereabouts of the original cast of That 70s Show. But there were a few actors that made short-lived appearances that don’t get as much attention. One such person was a pop star when she landed a guest role. Jessica Simpson rose to fame as a singer, but her time on the show paved a new path for acting and for a business venture. What character did she play alongside Ashton Kutcher, where did that role lead her, and what is she up to nowadays?

Jessica Simpson’s time on ‘That 70’s Show’ Jessica Simpson performs for the first time in New York’s Central park May 22 2004 in New York City. | Bill Tompkins/Getty Images

Simpson showed up in Season 5 of the show. She portrayed Annette, a California girl who comes back to Wisconsin. The character was brought in as a new love interest for Kelso...

Prime Video has no shortage of shows or movies arriving in September. The biggest new show on the block for Amazon Studios is “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” which is a prequel based on the work of J.R.R. Tolkien that’s set thousands of years before the events of “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings.” Several new 2022 films will be available on the streamer as well: including Channing Tatum’s “Dog,” Michael Bay’s “Ambulance,” Zac Efron’s “Firestarter,” Dylan O’Brien’s “The Outfit,” and more.

Noteworthy library titles arriving this month include “Fight Club” (1999), “Legally Blonde” (2001) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991).

Here’s everything new on Amazon Prime Video and Freevee in September.

Also Read:

Here’s What’s Leaving Netflix in September 2022 September 1

American Ninja Warriors S12-13 (2022)

Friday Night Lights S1-5 (2007)

Texicanas (2019)

Wags Miami S1-2 (2022)

21 Grams (2004)

23:59 (2011)

A Family Thing...

With its list of new releases for September 2022, Prime Video is finally unveiling the most anticipated (and expensive) series in the streamer’s history.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will arrive to Prime Video’s servers on Sept. 2, 2022. This Lord of the Rings prequel, set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age, is in many ways the kind of TV property that Prime Video must have always wanted. It’s certainly the TV property most fitting with the company’s largesse and riches. The Rings of Power will cover the creation of the titular rings and many important events from Tolkien’s lore (condensed into a more TV-appropriate timeframe).

Middle-earth is going to be the happening spot on Amazon and the streaming world at large this month, but Prime Video does have a handful of other originals for the fantasy-phobic. Flight/Risk, a documentary about the Boeing 737 Max design disasters,...

“Maigret,” Patrice Leconte’s adaptation of Georges Simenon’s literary masterpiece with Gerard Depardieu, has pre-sold to major territories ahead of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris where the movie is having its market premiere.

Represented in international markets by Snd, “Maigret” was picked up for Italy (Adler), Germany and Austria (Koch), Benelux (Athena), Switzerland (Pathé), Span (Selecta), Poland (Monolith), Cis (Capella), Australia and New Zealand (Palace), Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia (Blitz), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Greece (Spentzos), and Czech Republic and Slovakia (Mediasquad).

“We had terrific response from distributors when we launched the project during last year’s EFM,” said Ramy Nahas, head of international sales at Snd.

“Patrice Leconte has crafted an instant classic and Gerard Depardieu yet again delivers an incredible performance,” said Nahas. The executive said he expected to lock additional deals following the film’s market premiere at the Unifrance event and is already in negotiations for several key territories.

Snd is set to host market premieres for Patrice Leconte’s period detective film “Maigret,” as well as high concept comedies “Employee of the Month” and “The Bodins” at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, a showcase of French content hosted this week in Paris.

“Maigret,” based on Georges Simenon’s literary masterpiece, will star Gérard Depardieu (“Cyrano de Bergerac”) as detective Maigret, who investigates the death of a young girl in 1953. During his inquiry, Maigret crosses paths with Betty, a young offender who reminds him of the dead girl. The movie will be released by Snd on April 6.

“We’ve pre-sold ‘Maigret’ across 90% of Europe, it’s really a highlight on our slate due to the strength of the franchise, director and cast – Gerard Depardieu is outstanding in this role,” said Ramy Nahas, head of international sales at Snd.

“Employee of the Month” will be directed by French comedian Jerome...

Carlo Francisco Manatad is a Filipino film director and editor based in Manila. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute. His short film, “Junilyn Has”, competed at the Festival del film Locarno and went on to screen at several international film festivals such as Clermont Ferrand, Uppsala, Winterthur and Busan to name a few. “Sandra and Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25” has won awards in Russia, Romania and the USA, most notably winning the Best Comedy Short at the Aspenshorts Fest – an Oscar qualifying film festival. A Philippine and Singaporean co-production, “Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month”, his last short film was selected in competition at the 56th Semaine de la Critique at the 70th Cannes International Film Festival. One of the most prolific editors in the Philippines today, he has collaborated with numerous filmmakers for independent and mainstream scene.

Hopefully March will bring respite from crippling snow storms and frigid temperatures for much of the globe. And if it doesn’t? Well, Hulu’s got some new streaming options at least!

Hulu’s list of new releases for March 2021 are relatively slight on Hulu originals. Thankfully, one beloved original of note is coming back this month. Solar Opposites will premiere all episodes of its second season on March 26. This sci-fi animated comedy from Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland is a breath of fresh alien air.

On the movie side of things, Hulu is premiering Boss Level on March 5. This actioner will star the delightful Frank Grillo and the decidedly less delightful Mel Gibson. Speaking of delightful though, the documentary Kid 90 will arrive on March 12. This comes from Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye and features hours of footage she shot in the ’90s that will depict what...

Hey, remember when they released that picture of the CGI movie Sonic the Hedgehog and it was so freakish and unnerving that animators had to work overtime to fix it? Anywho, Sonic the Hedgehog is coming to Hulu this month.

The heroic blue hedgehog who just wants to go fast is far from the only exciting new film or TV show coming to Hulu in February 2021. The library titles are unusually packed this month. In addition to Sonic, the sublimely goofy Mars Attacks!, 2020 horror film Possessor, and the first six Star Trek films all arrive on Feb. 1. Later on in the month are Antebellum (Feb. 5) and Nomadland (Feb. 19).

It’s a good thing that the library titles are strong because Hulu isn’t brining many originals of note to the table in February 2021. Into the Dark continues on its spooky mission with the Valentine-centric Tentacles dropping on Feb. 12. That will...

There’s a lot of great new stuff coming to Netflix in January, with over 75 titles being added to the streaming giant’s library over the course of next month. Unfortunately, it’s just the way it goes, though, that we’ve got to lose some old content to get new content and a bunch of movies and TV shows will be removed from the site across January as well. Thankfully, this coming month isn’t a huge one for losses, but there’s still a decent amount that’ll be departing.

Of course, the title that most Netflix users will be missing in January actually leaves on December 31st – The Office is being removed from the service on New Year’s Eve so that it can stream exclusively on NBC’s newly activated streaming platform Peacock. As such, here’s another reminder to binge all nine seasons of the...

Catie Lazarus, a writer, magazine contributor and comedian who developed and hosted an live, onstage New York celebrity talk show that grew from appearances at the Upright Citizens Brigade to a regular spot at Public Theater’s popular Joe’s Pub venue in Manhattan, died Sunday of cancer at her home in Brooklyn. She was 44.

Family members announced her death on social media.

Since moving to Joe’s Pub in 2014, Lazarus’ show, called Employee of the Month, became one of the venue’s most popular offerings. More than 250 interviews were recorded and used for weekly Slate podcasts, each marked by Lazarus’ funny, warm and emotionally generous approach to conversation.

Many of the show’s fans also were its guests: Jon Stewart gave Lazarus his first interview after leaving The Daily Show. The list of celebrities who sat for interviews is too long to post here, but a selection includes Robert Redford,...

French company launched a trio of upcoming titles at AFM’s virtual edition.

France’s Snd has unveiled a raft of deals out of this year’s online American Film Market (November 9-13).

The feature film arm of the M6 broadcasting group launched a trio of new titles including children’s animation Pil’s Adventures and Jérôme Salle’s political thriller Kompromat, which is currently shooting.

Pil’s Adventures has sold to Spain (Big Picture Films), Portugal (Cinemundo), Russia/ex-Cis (Central Partnership), Baltics (Acme Film), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Israel (Lev), ex-Yugoslavia (Blitz), Taiwan (Moviecloud) and Middle East (Salim Ramia).

Directed by Julien Fournet,...

Comedies are doing quite well on Netflix right now, as American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules, Employee of the Month, The Grinch and The Croods are all occupying spots on the service’s Top 10 Movies list. And rounding out that chart of funny flicks are two Adam Sandler efforts that have been holding steady throughout the last week – one brand new and another a classic 90s favorite.

Sandler’s recent outing Hubie Halloween is maintaining its #1 spot on the list of most-watched movies, which makes perfect sense considering how much viewers have been enjoying the film since its release earlier this month. In it, Sandler plays the lead role of the titular Hubie, a good intentioned but quirky citizen of a small town who finds himself at the center of a murder mystery during the year’s spookiest season.

Despite its popularity, Hubie Halloween has recently been dethroned by The Haunting of Bly Manor...

When it comes to adding new content, the biggest haul for any given streaming service is typically found on the first of the month, and that’s no different with Netflix.

Indeed, thanks to a huge day for new movies/TV shows on October 1st, the past week has seen the current leader in the industry add a whopping 74 films and 31 television series, ensuring that subscribers have plenty to entertain themselves with. From hidden gems to all-time classics and a few underrated titles that definitely deserve another look, there’s much to get excited about here and the full list of every new release that arrived this week can be found below.

74 New Movies

28 Days (2000) A Chaster Marriage (2016) A Toot-Toot Cory Carson Halloween (2020) Netflix Original A.M.I. (2019) Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) All Because of You (Pasal Kau) (2020) Netflix Original Along Came a Spider (2001) Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part...

The theatrical industry is still struggling to return to normal, and matters aren’t helped as the studios continue to pull major releases from the calendar and send them to next year. There might not be a lot of content available on the big screen, but luckily the streaming wars remain in full swing, and as the market leaders, Netflix are constantly updating their library to retain their position at the front of the pack.

Enola Holmes has become the latest of the platform’s originals to dominate the conversation, but the usual array of forgotten titles have also been posting a strong showing as subscribers occupy their downtime with a variety of movies and TV shows, not all of which need to be the subject of critical acclaim or even good reviews.

Next week takes us into October, meaning that the first day of the month brings a huge...

Hulu is out with its list of everything new coming to the streaming service in the month of September — and everything that’s leaving.

Highlights in the new category include Season 2 of “Pen15,” which stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle as their middle school selves, out Sept. 18. Another highlight is the series premiere of “Woke,” inspired by the life and work of American cartoonist Keith Knight. That’s out Sept. 9.

Leaving at the end of the month are movies like “50 First Dates,” “A Mighty Wind,” and “Best in Show.”

See the full list below.

Sept. 1

Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)

Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)

50 First Dates (2004)

Absolute Power (1997)

Aeon Flux (2005)

American Dragons (1998)

An American Haunting (2006)

Any Given Sunday (1999)

Anywhere but Here (1999)

Back to School (1986)

Bad Girls from Mars (1991)

The Bank Job (2008)

Because I Said So (2007)

The Birdcage (1997)

Broken Lizard’s Club Dread (2004)

Call Me (1988)

Carrington (1995)

The Cold Light Of Day...

We’re still a couple of weeks out from The Boys returning with its second season, but based on the footage we’ve seen so far, it certainly looks as if we’re in for another wild ride. One that may even top the first run of the show, which was one of the best things that we’d seen on television in a long time.

Of course, trying to predict how something as crazy as The Boys is going to end up is a fool’s errand, but let’s not forget that it won’t be the only new thing arriving on Amazon Prime in September. Far from it, in fact.

Earlier today, the streaming service announced their entire line-up of new titles for next month and it’s a meaty list, comprising both films and television shows. And though The Boys may be the highlight for many...

An election season is fast-approaching in the U.S. So for its new releases in September 2020, Amazon Prime is bringing back one of its most political shows.

The Boys season 2 premieres its first three episodes on September 4. Though the show on its face is a superhero story, viewers of season 1 will know it’s really about America’s troubling embrace of entertainment with fascism. Sounds fun and not at all terrifying right before a presidential election!

That’s not the only bleak Amazon original on the schedule for September. British TV adaptation Utopia arrives on September 25. This Gillian Flynn-produced series follows fans of a comic book who believe it predicts…world-ending pandemics. Darn it. Amazon’s only original film this month is a…documentary about voter suppression from Liz Garbus called All In: The Fight for Democracy. Yikes.

For those of us who want to relax with some ‘member berries,...

As one of the weirder “back to school” seasons in living memory rolls out, Hulu is heading back to school in its own way for September 2020.

The biggest Hulu original arriving to the streaming services stream this month is season 2 of coming-of-age comedy Pen15…which of course stars two adults who have already come of age playing their middle school selves.

Speaking of middle school, perhaps the biggest non-original addition to the Hulu library this month is the arrival of all The Twilight Saga movies on September 1. That should prove to be a real nostalgia trip for interested parties. Other library titles of note include Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, The Terminator, and 2019’s Judy on September 25.

Bookending Hulu’s originals this month is another intriguing comedy, Woke. This series will star Lamorne Morris as a Black cartoonist who gets an unexpected wakeup call.

Here is everything else...

With the streaming wars really starting to heat up now thanks to all the new services that have sprung up over the past few months, it’s more important than ever for the major players to continue delivering truckloads of new content to keep subscribers happy. And thankfully, Hulu intends on doing just that.

Earlier today, the platform announced their September line-up and it’s an exciting mix of films and TV shows covering iconic classics, underrated gems, overlooked projects and true fan favorites. In fact, it’s looking like a particularly strong month compared to what we’ve seen from the streaming site over the summer so far and below, you can check out the entire list of what’s headed to Hulu in the coming weeks.

Released September 1

Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)

Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)

50 First Dates (2004)

Absolute Power (1997)

Aeon Flux (2005)

American Dragons...

ThelmaA selection of films from the 2017 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival has been unveiled, with new films by Sebastián Lelio, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Darren Aronofsky, Greta Gerwig, Guillermo Del Toro, Joachim Trier, Wim Wenders, and many more.Special PRESENTATIONSOpening Night: Ladybird (Greta Gerwig)Closing Night: Sheikh Jackson (Amr Salama)Battle of the Sexes (Valerie Faris & Jonathan Dayton)Bpm (Beats Per Minute) (Robin Campillo)The Brawler (Anurag Kashyap)The Breadwinner (Nora Twomey)Call Me By Your Name (Luca Guadagnino)Catch the Wind (Gaël Morel)The Children Act (Richard Eyre)The Current War (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon)Disobedience (Sebastián Lelio)Downsizing (Alexander Payne)A Fantastic Woman (Sebastián Lelio)First They Killed My Father (Angelina Jolie)The Guardians (Xavier Beauvois)Hostiles (Scott Cooper)The Hungry (Bornila Chatterjee)I, Tonya (Craig Gillespie)Mother! (Darren Aronofsky)Novitiate (Maggie Betts)Omerta (Hansal Mehta)Plonger (Mélanie Laurent)The Price of Success (Teddy Lussi-Modeste)Professor Marston & the Wonder Women...

Read More: The 2017 IndieWire Cannes Bible: Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During the Festival

The 2017 Cannes Film Festival is underway, and IndieWire is partnering with Festival Scope for a second year in a row to give readers the chance to bring a part of the event straight to their own homes. This year, our Critics’ Week sweepstakes features 9 short films and one feature in competition. If you aren’t in Cannes, this is your only chance to watch them all.

Now through Thursday, May 25, IndieWire readers have an exclusive opportunity to register for a chance to win an online Festival Pass to screen the 9 short films and one feature in competition. Click Here for the registration form — all you need to enter is your first and last name and a valid email address — and make sure to enter by May 25 for a chance to win. Festival Scope has...

The lineup for the 2017 Cannes Critics’ Week (La Semaine de la Critique) has been announced.Opening FILMSicilian Ghost Story (Fabio Grassadonia & Antonio Piazza)COMPETITIONLa familia (Gustavo Rondón Córdova)Los perros (Marcela Said)Oh Lucy! (Atsuko Hirayagani)Gabriel e a montanha (Felipe Gamarano Barbosa)Ava (Léa Mysius)Tehran Taboo (Ali Soozandeh)Makala (Emmanuel Gras)Special Feature SCREENINGSBloody Milk (Hubert Charuel)Une vie violente (Thierry de Peretti)Special Short SCREENINGSAfter School Knife Fight (Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel)Coelho Mau (Carlos Conceição)Les îles (Yann Gonzales)Short & Medium-LENGTHSelva (Sofía Quirós Ubeda)Möbius (Sam Khun)Real Gods Require Blood (Moin Hussain)Jodilerks dela Cruz, Employee of the Month (Carlo Francisco Manatad)Los desheredados (Laura Ferrés)Ela - szkice na pożegnanie (Oliver Adam Kusio)Najpiękniejsze fajerwerki ever (Aleksandra Terpinska)Tesla: Lumière mondiale (Matthew Rankin)Les enfants partent à l'aube (Manon Coubia)Le visage (Salvatore Lista)Closing FILMBrigsby Bear (Dave McCary)...

The 56th edition of the Cannes Critics’ Week sidebar has announced its main program, including seven films screening in competition. The sidebar is dedicated to films coming from first- and second-time filmmakers, and always promises a fertile ground for discovering new and emerging talent. Last year’s breakout title was Julia Ducournau’s horror film “Raw,” which sold to Focus World.

Read More: Cannes 2017 Announces Directors Fortnight Lineup, Including Sean Baker’s ‘The Florida Project’ and ‘Patti Cake$’

The section will open with Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s latest feature, “Sicilian Ghost Story,” which combines the myths of Romeo and Juliet with the present day Sicilian mafia. Dave McCary’s debut “Brigsby Bear,” the Sundance comedy that sold to Sony Pictures Classics, will close out the section.

For the first time in its history, both a documentary and an animated film will screen in competition. Ali Soozandeh’s animated...

Mafia tale Sicilian Ghost Story to open sidebar, Sundance hit Brigsby Bear selected as closer.

Cannes Critics’ Week, devoted to first and second features as well as shorts, has unveiled the line-up of its 56th edition, running May 18-26.

Italian directors Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza will open the selection with their second feature Sicilian Ghost Story, a genre-mixing work following a teenage girl as she searches for the boy she loves after he is kidnapped by the Mafia.

It is inspired by the real-life tale of Giuseppe Di Matteo, the son of a former Mafia hitman-turned-informant, who was abducted in 1993.

Critics’ Week artistic director Charles Tesson described it as a “staggering crossover between cinema genres, combining politics, fantasy and terrible teen love.”

The directorial duo premiered their debut feature Salvo in competition in Critics’ Week in 2013, winning the €15,000 Nespresso Grand Prize.

The screenplay for Sicilian Ghost Story was developed at the Sundance Screenwriting Lab and went...

After featuring such discoveries as Raw, Mimosas, It Follows, The Tribe, and more in recent years, the Cannes sidebar Critics’ Week have now unveiled their 2017 line-up. Now in their 56th year, the Jury President is Kleber Mendonça Filho, who came to Cannes last year with Aquarius, and he’ll be joined by Niels Schneider, Diana Bustamante Escobar, Hania Mroué and Eric Kohn.

After receiving 1,700 short films and 1,250 feature films, 11 features have been selected, with 6 being first films and 5 being second features, including the closing night film Brigsby Bear, which we reviewed at Sundance. Running from May 18-26, check out the line-up below with a hat tip to Mubi and see more about the films here.

Opening Film

Sicilian Ghost Story (Fabio Grassadonia & Antonio Piazza)

Competition

La familia (Gustavo Rondon)

Los perros (Marcela Said)

Oh Lucy! (Atsuko Hirayagani)

Gabriel e a montanha (Felipe Gamarano Barbosa)

Ava (Lea Mysius)

Tehran Taboo (Ali Soozandeh...

Mortality. A constant unknown that plagues the human condition. We try to delay its effects, but no matter what – someday – the Grim Reaper will coming knocking. Sorry to start off on such a dark note, but these thoughts directly provoke Gore Verbinski’s cold-open for A Cure For Wellness. The director urges viewers towards personal fulfillment, breaking the shackles of our work-until-death mentalities. Do you want to be the guy who croaks at his desk just to earn one more Employee Of The Month award? Thus is the introduction of Verbinski’s cult-noir mystery with Lovecraftian appeal, wholly committed to resurrecting a cinematic weirdness that has escaped mainstream cinema for far too long.

On a serious note – who greenlit this picture, and how did Verbinski pitch such a strange big-budget puzzler? You just don’t see ambitious mindf&#kery like this being given studio priority anymore. Everything starts with a very Shutter Island vibe,...

Dax Shephard (star of Punk'd and Dane Cook's Employee Of The Month) has just signed on to co-direct a Scooby-doo animated feature alongside animation vet Tony Cervone (director of straight-to-dvd films like Scooby-doo And Kiss: Rock And Roll Mystery and Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age Smackdown, which are somehow things that exist because life is chaos with no inherent... Read More...

Life in Hollywood looked a heck of a lot different at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards! Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook hosted the awards show that year, fresh off the heels of their comedy Employee of the Month. Simpson and Nick Lachey had announced their divorce about a year beforehand, but both attended the event and turned it into an "awkward" experience for everyone involved. Lachey took home the award for Choice Love Song for "What's Left of Me," a song about the demise of his marriage, and gave an uncomfortable acceptance speech given his ex-wife was the host. "I just want to start off by saying...awkward?" he said, smiling. "A little bit!" What's strange in hindsight...

Is Andy Cohen the busiest man in show biz? Bravo Media has added seven new unscripted TV series to its development slate. Titles include: Look Who's Hosting Live, Employee of the Month, Real Estate Wars, Stripped, I'd Kill for That, State of Affairs, and Invitation Only. Guess which one Cohen will host and executive produce.

“With this development slate we are building on Bravo's robust and successful tradition of buzzy, unique format shows,” said Lara Spotts, Senior VP of Development. “It's a diverse collection of shows which all include the signature Bravo wink and delicious drama that our viewers love to unwind to.”

Read More…...

Does Saturday Night Live have something to prove heading into its final three-weak stretch of the year? In terms of recent weeks, yes, but this has still been a solid season overall. Ebbs and flows are part of the natural order of this show, even if that's hard to see in the moment.

The real attention on the show will start this fall, when the Presidential election will be in full swing. For now, we get Oscar-winner Brie Larson kicking things off for the May run. It took some time...

Miles Teller, Anna Kendrick and Bryan Cranston star in the wickedly funny comedy, Get A Job, about making it in the real world.

Life after college graduation is not exactly going as planned for Will (Teller) and Jillian (Kendrick) who find themselves lost in a sea of increasingly strange jobs. But with help from their family (Cranston), friends and coworkers they soon discover that the most important (and hilarious) adventures are the ones that we don’t see coming.

Get A Job will be released by Lionsgate Premiere in theaters and On Demand March 25th.

To celebrate the film’s opening, Wamg is giving away a prizepack to one lucky reader.

This great prizepack includes the DVDs listed below:

The Duff

Spring Breakers

Bling Ring

Spectacular Now

Divergent

Waiting

Employee Of The Month

Get A Job Movie poster

For a chance to win:

Enter Your Name And E-mail In Our Comments Section Below.

The holiday season is here and like a lot of you, I plan on staying inside as much as I can and watching some great TV and movies. Thankfully Netflix is here to help with a new batch of offerings for December. They are also removing some titles you may want to watch while you can! Of course we are all waiting to see this Bill Murray Christmas special which arrives December 4th. Have a safe and happy viewing month everyone! Check out the full listings below:

All Title Dates are Subject to Change

Netflix U.S. Release Dates Only

Available 12/1

#DeathToSelfie (2014)

30 for 30: Chasing Tyson (2015)

50 Shades of They: Season 1

A Christmas Star (2015)

A Genius Leaves the Hood: The Unauthorized Story of Jay Z (2014)

Amnesiac (2015)

Broadchurch: Season 2

Cbgb (2013)

Christmas Wedding Baby (2014)

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004)

Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)

Darkman (1990)

Detectorists: Season 1

I’m Brent Morin — Netflix Original...

It's last call for several horror films, including "The Silence of the Lambs" and the "The Omen" trilogy, which are leaving Netflix in December.

Also going bye-bye: Both versions of manly tearjerker "Brian's Song" and classics including "All About Eve" (1950), "The Great Escape" (1963) and "The Hustler" (1961). And if you want to stream '80s favorites "The Dark Crystal" (1982) or "Labyrinth" (1986), better get on that before December 1.

Here's what's leaving Netflix in December 2015.

Leaving December 1

"All About Eve" (1950)

"The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes": Season 1 (2012)

"Batman Begins" (2005)

"Beverly Hills Cop III" (1994)

"Brian's Song" (1971)

"Brian's Song" (2001)

"The Brothers Grimm" (2005)

"The Burbs" (1989)

"Cop Land" (1997)

"Damien: Omen II" (1978)

"The Dark Crystal" (1982)

"Employee of the Month" (2006)

"Forces of Nature" (1999)

"Get Low" (2009)

"The Great Escape" (1963)

"The Guardian": Season 1-3

"The High and the Mighty" (1954)

"The Hustler" (1961)

"Insomnia" (2002)

"Juice" (1992)

"K-19: The Widowmaker" (2002)

"Labyrinth" (1986)

"Last Night" (2010)

"Left Behind: The Movie" (2000)

"Left Behind II: Tribulation Force...

The pint-sized burlap-clad Sam is back in the four-part graphic novel Days of the Dead from Michael Dougherty, the creator of Trick 'r Treat. Also: release details for Lavalantula, an excerpt from Mark Morris' The Society of Blood, and a special Halloween weekend iTunes release for Crazy Bitches.

Trick 'R Treat Graphic Novel: "From the twisted imagination of Trick ‘r Treat creator Michael Dougherty (director of the upcoming Krampus and Trick ‘r Treat 2 and screenwriter of X-Men 2 and Superman Returns) alongside a top-notch team of creators including writers Todd Casey and Zach Shields (Krampus), Marc Andreyko (Batwoman) and artists Fiona Staples (Saga), Stephen Byrne (Buffy/Angel), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker’s Death Ship) and Zid (Son of Merlin) comes this 4-part collection that paves the way for the Trick ‘r Treat film sequel.

Days of the Dead takes readers on a journey through Halloween history with 4 chilling new Trick ‘r Treat tales.

Look at those gams! Jessica Simpson flaunted her toned legs in an all-black outfit while leaving the Bowery Hotel on Thursday, Sept. 10. In classic NYC style, Simpson, 36, rocked sleek leather slacks that showed off her super svelte limbs, paired with a black button-up blouse. The fashion designer accessorized the dark look with a Saint Laurent polka-dot scarf, black suede Givenchy bag, statement snake ring, and stunner shades. The Employee of the Month star, who is celebrating the 10th year of her clothing company in Manhattan during [...]...

Playing House, Season 2, Episode 6, “Kimmewah Cup”

Written by Christine Nangle

Directed by Stuart McDonald

Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network

As Playing House’s second season winds down, “Kimmewah Cup” continues to explore how the transitions in Emma and Maggie’s lives have affected their friendship. Maggie is excited to spend a weekend alone with Emma—who’s been occupied with her new relationship with Rabbi Dan—at the lake house they went to every summer as kids. While at the lake house, Maggie is frustrated with Emma’s constant talk of her boyfriend, and the two have to renegotiate their friendship and Rabbi Dan’s role in their lives. “Kimmewah Cup” also helps to expand the ever-growing collection of fascinatingly named weirdos that inhabit the world of Playing House, as the Sklar Brothers play Emma and Maggie’s rivals from childhood, the Custerman twins.

Despite all of the potential of the episode,...

Playing House, Season 2, Episode 5, “Employee of the Month”

Written by Anthony King

Directed by Stuart McDonald

Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network

“Employee of the Month” continues Playing House‘s trend of strong emotional episodes, as it deals with the aftermath of “Knotty Pine” and Mark and Tina’s decision to get a divorce. The episode is all about Mark’s tailspin, as he ends up crashing on Maggie and Emma’s couch, unable to address how much pain he’s in from the break-up. Maggie also realizes, after having a run-in with an old classmate, that her dream is to go back to nursing school. She feels called to this path, and yet is worried about how Emma will take the news. “Employee of the Month” is an episode about transition, as all the characters find themselves in the midst of change, wondering what the future will look like.

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"Focus"

Will Smith and Margot Robbie are now filming the highly anticipated "Suicide Squad" movie, but watch them as con artists in this crime drama, which is available June 2. The "Focus" Blu-ray/DVD combo includes the special features "Masters of Misdirection: The Players in a Con, "Will Smith: Gentleman Thief," "Margot Robbie: Stealing Hearts," deleted scenes, and an alternate opening.

"McFarland USA"

Kevin Costner stars in Disney's inspirational sports drama about a successful high school cross country team in McFarland, California. The Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD all come with special features including "Juntos" music video and a featurette called "Inspiring McFarland."

"Jupiter Ascending"

This was pretty much demolished by critics, but it still has some defenders and a great...

It’s almost June and that means Netflix is about to give their content a refresh. Some of the notable titles leaving in June include Rain Man, Taxi Driver, and Donnie Brasco. So if you haven’t seen some of these titles, plan your nights accordingly. We of course can look forward more than a few new titles including the premiere of the Wachowskis’ show Sense8, the new season of Orange is the New Black, Nightcrawler, and Jon Stewart’s film Rosewater.

Available June 1

Employee of the Month (2006)

Hidden Kingdoms (2014)

La Dictadura Perfecta (2014)

R.L. Stine’s Mostly Ghostly (2008)

R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It (2007)

Sex Ed (2014)

Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam: Live from Orlando (2012)

Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam: Live From Atlanta (2013)

Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam: Live from Las Vegas (2014)

The Aviator...

New on Netflix this June: "Sense8," the new sci-fi drama from Andy and Lana Wachowski ("The Matrix" trilogy) and "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski, in which eight strangers suddenly find themselves mysteriously connected. Also, look for the return of Netflix original series "Orange Is the New Black" on June 12.

As for movies, you won't want to miss Jake Gyllenhaal's terrifyingly great turn in "Nightcrawler." Also new: "Life of Crime" and "Cake" with Jennifer Aniston; Philip Seymour Hoffman's last completed film, the spy thriller "A Most Wanted Man"; Gina Prince-Bythewood's acclaimed film "Beyond the Lights" starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a rising singer; not to mention the critically panned "Grace of Monaco," starring Nicole Kidman as Princess Grace.

Below is a full rundown of what's new on Netflix in June 2015, provided by Netflix. As always, all titles and dates are subject to change. We've also go you covered...