Season Three Of HARLEY QUINN Debuts July 28

• The third season of the critically-acclaimed Max Original adult-animated comedy series HARLEY QUINN debuts with three episodes THURSDAY, JULY 28 on HBO Max, followed by one episode weekly through September 15.
   
• Logline: The mayhem and madness continue in season three of this biting and uproarious adult animated comedy series. Wrapping up their “Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour,” Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) return to Gotham as the new power couple of DC villainy. Along with their ragtag crew – King Shark (Ron Funches), Clayface (Alan Tudyk), Frank the Plant (JB Smoove) - "Harlivy" strives to become the best version of themselves while also working towards Ivy’s long desired plan of transforming Gotham into an Eden paradise.
   
• Cast: Kaley Cuoco (Harley Quinn), Lake Bell (Poison Ivy), Ron Funches (King Shark), JB Smoove (Frank the Plant), Alan Tudyk (Clayface/The Joker), Matt Oberg (Kite Man), Christopher Meloni (Commissioner Gordon), Andy Daly (Two-Face), Diedrich Bader (Batman/Bruce Wayne), James Adomian (Bane), Sanaa Lathan (Selina Kyle), Briana Cuoco (Batgirl/Barbara Gordon), Harvey Guillen (Nightwing).
   
• Credits: Based on characters from DC, HARLEY QUINN is produced by Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions and Yes, Norman Productions in association with Warner Bros. Animation. The series was developed by Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker and Dean Lorey.  Executive Producers are Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Kaley Cuoco, Sam Register, Jessica Goldstein and Chrissy Pietrosh.

MAMET TO WRITE AND DIRECT MOB TAKE ON WHO SHOT JFK How Mafia Don Sam Giancana Got Revenge on the Kennedys, The Story Finally Told in 2 Days/1963

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   MAMET TO WRITE AND DIRECT MOB TAKE ON WHO SHOT JFK How Mafia Don Sam Giancana Got Revenge on the Kennedys,  The Story Finally Told in  2 Days/1963   Los Angeles, CA (June 28, 2022) – Two-time Academy Award Nominee and Pulitzer prize-winning playwright David Mamet and producer Nicholas Celozzi, scion (grandnephew) of notorious Chicago mobster Sam Giancana, will collaborate on a feature film detailing the real story behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Mamet will direct 2 DAYS/1963 and write the screenplay based on the story by Celozzi. The feature will be produced under the banner of Celozzi's production company Monaco Films, with colleague and VP Michael Sportelli, based in Los Angeles. 2Days/1963 is a revelation of previously untold events that took place during the 48 hours before the assassination of America’s 35th president in November 1963. Among other theories, it has been suggested that the Mafia was responsible for the shooting. Producer Celozzi recalls his Uncle Joe, “Pepe” brother to Sam Giancana, telling him about The Outfit's complicity in the killing. The story will unveil the mob’s version of the assassination—planned payback for JFK’s snubbing of Giancana, after he helped get Kennedy elected, and for Robert Kennedy’s investigation into and attempted dismantling of organized crime. Production will begin fourth quarter of 2022 in Los Angeles and on location in Dallas. Distribution and release of the feature are in current discussions. Celozzi is CEO and founding partner of Monaco Films, along with VP Michael Sportelli, who will also produce. Bonnie Giancana, daughter of the late mobster, will serve as a consultant and Executive Producer. The deal was brokered by John Burnham of Atlas Artists, Stan Coleman of Weintraub Tobin, and attorney Alan Abrams. One of the great voices of American stage and film, Mamet has penned stage plays that include Glengarry Glen Ross, for which he received the Pulitzer and which earned four Tony nominations; Speed-the-Plow, nominated for three Tonys; and American Buffalo, recipient of four Tony nods. Mamet’s screenplays include The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Verdict, House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner, Wag the Dog, State and Main, Hannibal, Heist, Hoffa, and The Untouchables, nominated for four Academy Awards. Mamet wrote and directed the feature Phil Specter, nominated for 11 Emmys, two Golden Globes, two SAG awards, and a Critics’ Choice Award. He has also authored several non-fiction books and the novel Chicago, about the gangland in the 1920s.  Mamet also directed the critically acclaimed film, House of Games and Homicide where he was nominated for a Palme d’Or award.  Highlights of Celozzi’s film work include the up-and-coming true story, The Legitimate Wiseguy, the documentary Momo: The Sam Giancana Story, and double installments of the Kickboxer film franchise, Kickboxer: Retaliation and Kickboxer: Vengeance. Celozzi has also written and produced the psychothrillers The Lost Angel, Nightmare Boulevard and Shattered. His latest project, The Class, acquired by Brainstorm Media, will enjoy a limited theatrical release and be available on all digital platforms on September 9.

HBO Orders To Series TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY From Issa López, With Kali Reis To Star Opposite Jodie Foster

HBO has given a series order to drama series TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY, from showrunner/writer/director/executive producer Issa López. Jodie Foster and Kali Reis will star, with Foster also executive producing. This next installment of “True Detective” will be filmed in Iceland.

• Logline: When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the six men that operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice.
   
• Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming quote: “We are tremendously excited to return to the ‘True Detective’ franchise and to be working with the multi-talented Issa López, whose singular vision for her ‘Night Country’ installment will be beautifully realized with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis in the starring roles.”
   
• Credits: Issa López will serve as showrunner/writer/director/executive producer. Jodie Foster is star/executive producer. Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak are executive producers through PASTEL. Alan Page Arriaga is a writer/executive producer.  Anonymous Content, Mari Jo Winkler, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Nic Pizzolatto also executive produce.
   
• About Kali Reis: Kali Reis made her acting debut in the independent film, “Catch The Fair One.” She helped develop the story with director Josef Kubota Wladyka, and also received a special Jury Mention for Best Actress at the Tribeca Film Festival where the film won the Audience Award. She was then nominated for Best Female Lead at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Kali recently wrapped principal photography opposite Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan in the film, “Black Flies,” which Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire is directing.
  
  Kali is a motivational speaker and vocal supporter of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement, and teaches young Native women how to fight, both physically and vocally, against the targeting of Native youth.

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness 4K Digital Copy Review

Following some point not long after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Sam Raimi’s first official feature film within the MCU and his fourth feature film based on a Marvel Superhero entitled Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness begins in the midst of a journey between worlds as a young woman named America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who has the power to literally blow wholes in the fabric of the multiverse, is being assisted by an alternate Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) while fleeing from a demonic entity only to have Strange become mortally wounded and in desperation attempt to siphon America’s ability, which she does not know how to control and if her ability is taken from her, she will die. Luckily America’s scream blows a hole into the MCU where she meets our Doctor Strange, who goes searching for the Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), leading to threats and deadly confrontations. The Scarlett Witch has taken possession of a book of corrupting black magic and is trying to capture America Chavez to steal her power so she can go anywhere in the multiverse and take the kids from an alternate version of herself that she could not hold onto after the events of WandaVision.

Sam Raimi is a perfect fit for fantastic cinema as in genre films and he uses both his previous experience directing the original Spider-Man Trilogy and The Evil Dead Trilogy to his advantage and the audience’s delight to craft a film rich in action and intrigue as well as signature Sam Raimi style with a touch of humor and the expected short, but memorable cameo appearance by Bruce Campbell.

Marvel Studios has released Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness for sale on digital platforms with bonus features as well as the movie only free to stream on their Disney + Streaming Service. I would love to compare the 4K Blu-ray release that will debut on July, 26, 2022, to this digital copy because the 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby ATMOS Soundtrack is amazing. Streaming has come a long way. English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired are also provided along with a screen specific audio commentary recorded in April of 2022 with Sam Raimi, Richard Palmer and Michael Waldron.

This is supported by several short featurettes covering the making of the film (11:11), introducing the character of America Chavez (3:30), Sam Raimi’s style as a filmmaker (5:02), a Gag Reel (2:29) and three deleted scenes that can be viewed individually or in succession (3:07). The interactive menus on the Apple TV 4K are easy to navigate and simple. 

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is available now to stream through multiple streaming platforms, including Movies Anywhere and is well worth a look.

(C) Copyright 2022 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

Beavis and Butthead Do The Universe Streaming Animated Feature Film Review

Beavis and Butthead Do The Universe is Mike Judge’s return to the two characters, who first made their appearance on MTV’s Liquid Television in animated shorts and then became a pop culture phenomenon with an animated series as well as a feature film entitled Beavis and Butthead Do America. The rest as they say is history for both Mike Judge who went on to produce the animated series King of the Hill and feature films like Office Space and Idiocracy. 

The story has Beavis and Butthead blundering their way into NASA space camp where they are mistaken for being naturals to dock the space shuttle with the Russian Space Station and agree to become astronauts because they think they will score with a woman. Of course something goes wrong and our “heroes” end up traveling from 1998 to 2022 where they encounter Siri, the iPhone personal assistant, get a lecture on white privilege and through dumb luck avoid various pitfalls that include the Governor of Texas and a clandestine agency that monitors them because they think they are aliens. 

You know I used to watch Beavis and Butthead in college and I found this animated feature to be nostalgic, but sweet. It did not make me laugh out loud, but it made me smile and left me wishing Judge would bring back the series. Beavis and Butthead Do The Universe is now streaming on Paramount +.

(C) Copyright 2022 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

Arrow Films to Release Eric Pennycoff's Festive Horror The Leech in UK, US, IE & Canada Starring Jeremy Gardner, Graham Skipper Rigo Garay & Taylor Gardner Set for Release in December 2022

 London, UK-- Arrow Films has acquired distribution rights in the UK, Ireland, US and Canada for Eric Pennycoff's Christmas horror comedy The Leech, set to have its world premiere at Chattanooga Film Festival on June 23. The UK-based premiere label for cult, art, horror and world cinema is planning a release in December 2022. 

Father David (Graham Skipper, Dementia: Part II, Sequence Break), a catholic priest struggling to grow his congregation, encounters a stranger by the name of Terry (Jeremy Gardner, Bliss, Offseason) asleep one morning after Mass. Terry is without a home after a fight with his girlfriend Lexi (Taylor Gardner, Sadistic Intentions) and with Christmas less than a week away; David offers him a place to stay for the night. What begins as a simple act of kindness quickly turns complicated as Lexi arrives shortly after with news of being evicted from her house. Unable to turn away this helpless young woman, David allows both her and Terry to stay with him through the holidays on the condition that they open themselves to the healing power of God’s love. Yet the harder David tries to reform the lives of these seemingly innocent strangers, the more he himself falls victim to their toxic ways, leading to the belief that their arrival is in fact, a test from God. Will David pass the test and accept his new houseguests as they are? Or will he set aside the ways of Christ and resort to blood soaked, Old Testament justice?

Writer/director Eric Pennycoff commented: "Working with Arrow Films has been a total dream come true. Having been a fan of theirs since the beginning of my filmmaking career, I cannot think of a better home for The Leech to live on in all its holiday madness. Between the deluxe edition Blu-Ray and its streaming premiere on ARROW, Kevin and his team have truly cemented the film's place among a long-lasting range of great titles. There's a reason Quentin Tarantino said ARROW is the only streamer he's subscribed to."

Director of Content Kevin Lambert at Arrow raved: "We’re thrilled to be bringing The Leech to our territories and platforms, we’re big fans of Eric’s work and we’re sure this latest outing will blow audiences' minds." 

Arrow Films is targeting a December digital release in the UK, US, Canada and Ireland as well as a deluxe collector’s edition Blu-ray in the UK, US, Canada and Ireland as part of its celebrated Arrow Video brand. 

The Leech was produced by Eric Pennycoff, Scott Smith and Adelyn Pennycoff. 

About Arrow Films:

Arrow Films is a leading independent all-rights entertainment company, established in 1991, operating in the UK, Republic of Ireland, U.S.A and Canada. Arrow Films is firmly dedicated to new cinema, developing an enviable theatrical slate of critically acclaimed films which will additionally enjoy a lasting lifespan across all of our ancillary channels, brands and labels, including Arrow Video and Arrow Academy.

Recent acquisitions include Chema Garcia Ibarra’s The Sacred Spirit, Adam Rehmeier’s Dinner In America, Michael Venus’ Sleep and Jill Gevargizian’s The Stylist, all of which have received US and / or UK multi-platform releases as part of Arrow Video’s release strategy for new and contemporary films on the label. Additionally, Arrow Films is widely considered to be the global market leader in the Premium Home Entertainment market, fueled by state-of-the-art in-house film restoration and highly sought-after Blu-ray editions of classic and cult cinema. 

HBO Releases Official Key Art For HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

 

• The ten-episode HBO Original drama HOUSE OF THE DRAGON debuts SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
   
• Logline: Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen.
   
• Starring: Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans.
   
• Additional Cast: Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn.
  
• Credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer, Ryan Condal; Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Director, Miguel Sapochnik; Executive Producer/Writer, Sara Hess; Executive Producers, Jocelyn Diaz, Vince Gerardis, Ron Schmidt. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood..

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

House of the Dragon | Character Descriptions

House of the Dragon | Character Descriptions

HBO

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

Season 1

STARRING:

Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal.  A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather's legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon.  But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Sea Snake.” Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As “The Sea Snake,” the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, "The Queen Who Never Was" was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, of Dornish descent, the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven.  Cole has no claim to land or titles; all he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword.

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall.  She could have wilted... but instead she rose to become the most trusted -- and most unlikely -- ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king's brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

 

ADDITIONAL CAST (in alphabetical order):

Milly Alcock as Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. She's the king’s first-born child, of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen, eldest daughter of Laena Velaryon and rider of the young dragon Moondancer.

Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen, second daughter of Lady Laena and sister to Baela.

Emily Carey as Young Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. Alicent was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon, eldest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong. 'Breakbones', Harwin is said to be the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms.  Ser Harwin is the eldest son to Master of Laws Lyonel Strong and heir to Harrenhal.

Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen, first-born son of King Viserys.

Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister, a crafty and calculating politician, twin to Lord Jason Lannister.

Jefferson Hall as Lord Jason Lannister, the Lord of Casterly Rock and twin to Ser Tyland Lannister.

David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos, a voice of reason and trusted advisor to King Viserys.

Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon, younger brother to Coryls Velaryon and commander in the Velaryon navy.

John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon and  Rhaenys Targaryen.

Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling, who has served in the Kingsguard since the days of King Jaehaerys; he is a paragon of chivalry and honor.

Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen, second-born son of Viserys, nephew to Daemon, and half-brother to Rhaenyra.

Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.

Matthew Needham as Larys Strong, younger son of Master of Laws Lyonel Strong, brought to court by his father.

Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury, Lord of Honeyholt and Master of Coin on King Viserys's small council. 

Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen, second-born daughter of Viserys, sister to Aegon and Aemond, half-sister to Rhaenyra.

Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong, Master of Laws to King Viserys and Lord of Harrenhal.

Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron, daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.