52nd ANNUAL SATURN AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

 

52nd ANNUAL SATURN AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

“Dune: Part Two,” “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Alien: Romulus,” “Kingdom of The Planet of the Apes,”

“Fallout,” “Agatha All Along,” “The Penguin,”“From” and 

“The Walking Dead” Lead an Exceptional List of Nominations

 

Winners Revealed at the Saturn Awards Ceremony on 

Sunday, February 2, 2025

 

Streaming Live on ElectricNOW and on

The Roku Channel

 

 

Los Angeles, CA – December 4, 2024 --  Nominationsfor the 52nd Annual Saturn Awards were announced today, recognizing extraordinary programming, performances and special effects in genre entertainment within the Film and Television categories.  Since 1972, The Saturn Awards have been presented each year by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. The Saturn Awards ceremony celebrating the best in genre film and television will return to Los Angeles, CA on February 2, 2025 at The Hilton Universal City Hotel. The Awards Ceremony will be exclusively streamed LIVE on Electric Entertainment’s ElectricNOW platform and for the very first time, 

The Roku Channel. Viewers can stream the competition on The Roku Channel for free, with no subscription or sign-up required. This year’s show is dedicated to the memory of the Saturn Awards’ dear friend, acclaimed producer Jon Landau, most well-known for producing blockbuster films such as “Avatar,” and “Titanic.” Bradley Marcus and Kevin Marcus produce the Saturn Awards, with Robert Holguin serving as Executive Producer.

 

This year, Warner Brothers (including Legendary) holds the top spot in the Film category, amassing 35 nominations for movies such as “Dune: Part Two,” “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” and “Wonka.” Disney (including Marvel/Fox/Pixar) boasts 28 nominations for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Alien: Romulus,” “Kingdom Of the Planet of The Apes,” and “Inside Out 2.”

 

Denis Villeneuve’s epic, intricate, and visually stunning “Dune: Part Two” amasses 14 nominations, including BestScience Fiction Film, Best Film Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Best Supporting Film Actors (Josh Brolin, Austin Butler), Best Supporting Film Actress (Rebecca Ferguson andZendaya), Best Director (Denis Villeneuve), plus Best Film Writing (Villeneuve & Jon Spaihts), Best Visual Effects, Best Film Music Best Production Design, and Best Make-Up & Prosthetic Effects. Tim Burton’s darkly comedic supernatural sequel, “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” also receives significant acclaim with 13 nominations, including Best Fantasy Film, Best Director (Tim Burton), Best Film Actor (Michael Keaton), Best Film Actress (Winona Ryder), Best Younger Performer (Jenna Ortega), Best Film Writing (Alfred Gough, Miles Millar), along with Best Special Visual Effects, and Best Film Music (Danny Elfman). 

 

Box-Office smash hit “Deadpool & Wolverine” nabs 10 nominations including Best Action-Adventure Film, Best Film Actor (Ryan Reynolds), Best Supporting Film Actor (Hugh Jackman), Best Supporting Film Actress (Emma Corrin), and Best Director (Shawn Levy).

 

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” receives 8 nominations. Wes Ball’s fresh perspective and visiongarner him a Best Director nom, with the film receiving further nominations in Best Science Fiction Film, Best Younger Film Performer (Freya Allan), Best Film Writing (Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver), Best Visual Effects, Best Film Music, Best Production Design, and Owen Teague is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his powerful motion capture performance.  Fede Álvarez’s eerie and intense installment to the “Alien” franchise, “Alien: Romulus,” clearly displays his adoration for the franchise. The film is nominated for Best Horror Film, Best Director (Fede Álvarez), Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design and Best Make-Up.

 

Amazon/MGM+ dominates the Television categories with 17 nominations, including 5 for the adaptation of the popular Bethesda video game franchise, “Fallout,” including Best Science Fiction Television Series, Best Actor on Television (Walton Goggins), Best Actress on Television (Ella Purnell), and Best Guest Star on Television (Kyle MacLachlan). “The Boys,” the satirical superhero series, receives 3 nominations including Best Superhero Television Series, Best Supporting TV Actor (Antony Starr) and Best Younger Actor on Television (Cameron Crovetti). And the addictively nightmarish “From” scares up 4 nominations, including Best Horror Television Series.

 

Disney/Lucasfilm/Marvel and Max accrue an impressive 11 nominations each. From Marvel/Disney+, the spin-off from “WandaVision,” “Agatha All Along” conjures up 4 nominations, including Best Superhero Television Series, Best Actress on Television (Kathryn Hahn), Best Guest Star on Television (Aubrey Plaza), and Best Younger Performer on Television (Joe Locke). Lucasfilm/Disney+’s newest addition to the Star Wars saga, “Ahsoka” is up for Best Science Fiction Television Series and Best Actress on Television (Rosario Dawson). Marvel’s “Loki” holds a top spot with Best Superhero Television Series and Best Guest Star on Television (Ke Huy Quan).

 

Netflix’s legacy sequel to the classic “Karate Kid” films, “Cobra Kai,” waxes on with 3 nominations including Best Action/Thriller Television Series, Best Guest Star on Television (Martin Kove) and Best Younger Actor on Television (Xolo Maridueña). While Mike Flanagan’s “The Fall of The House of Usher” receives 3 nominations, including  Best Television Presentation, Best Supporting TV Actor (Henry Thomas), and Best Guest Star (Mark Hamill). 

 

Max’s Batman spin-off, “The Penguin,” exploring the character’s rise in Gotham City’s underworld, boasts 4 nominations, Best Superhero Television Series, Best Actor on Television (Collin Farrell), Best Supporting TV Actress (Cristin Milioti) and Best Younger Actor on Television (Rhenzy Feliz). George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal’sprequel to “Game of Thrones,” “House of the Dragon” picks up 3 top nominations for Best Fantasy Television Series, Best Actress on Television (Emma D’Arcy) and Best Supporting TV Actor (Matt Smith).

 

Godzilla “The King of the Monsters” is represented on both film and TV with Toho International’s “Godzilla: Minus One” crushing 4 nominations for Best International Filmand Takashi Yamazaki for Best Director and Best Writing. Apple TV+’s “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” receives noms for Best Adventure Television Series, Best Supporting TV Actress (Anna Sawai) and for the first time father & son Kurt Russell & Wyatt Russell are nominated jointly for Best Television Actor for portraying the same role at different ages.

 

This year also sees the introduction of a new category Best Genre Comedy Television Series to highlight more offbeat, quirky and darkly humorous series such as “Chucky,” “Ghosts,” and “What We Do in the Shadows,” just to name a few.

 

Dune Prophecy Episode 3 “Sisterhood Above All” Review.

The third episode of Dune Prophecy entitled “Sisterhood Above All” largely focuses upon the backstory of Valya and Tula Harkonnen before joining the sisterhood and gives an understanding of what life was like for the Harkonnens in exile as well as a look at the noble House Atreides while still contrasting the aftermath of the events of episode two. Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) has been banished from the Corrino palace following her confrontation with Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) while her sister has sent word that Lila (Chloe Lea) did not make it through the agony. 

While Tula resists carrying out the Sisterhood ceremony of bidding farewell to one of the order, Valya brainstorms what her next chess move will be after vowing not to be turned away from the Palace and the plan we know that the Sisterhood will remain committed to fulfilling ten thousand years later. Hearing what Lila’s last words were while undergoing the agony. She takes pause to think of what they may mean with regard to the prophecy and Desmond Hart’s possible role therein.

It is then that we get to go back and see planet Lankiveil and witness the harsh arctic conditions of life on the planet, which has reduced the once great house to slaughtering the native blue whales for their fur and for food as there is no other economy from which the Harkonnens can hope to survive on other than serving as Whale Fur Merchants attempting to rebuild their name all the while sustaining themselves on the meat of these creatures, which is rationed in such a way that not even Harkonnen family members of the House get a free ride. Young Valya (Jessica Barden) is disgusted at what her family has been reduced to and is shunned by her parents and grandfather who are resentful of the Attraides betrayal, but seek a more peaceful and honorable way from which to earn the elevation of their house. Young Tula is not without sympathy for her sister, but seeing as Valya is being sent away to the Sisterhood by her family, she is torn between her responsibilities between her and their overall predicament. 

It is here where we learn not only that Valya was the first Sister to learn the voice, but we see her resolve when she arrives on Wallach IX and encounters resistance because of being considered a member of a disgraced family. However it is her resolve that eventually gets her noticed by the Mother Superior and sets into motion events that will eventually lead to where we see her in the series now.

Meanwhile on Caladan we witnessthe ritual surrounding the hunting of the carnivorous Salusan Bull, which is accurately betrayed as being both familiar to what we think of a bull, but yet has bony protrusions reminiscent of a reptile on it’s spine. Seeing what occurs on both worlds has a heavy impact upon the direction that House Harkonnen will take as both sisters embrace what appears to be their fated roles in the events to come.

I really liked seeing the animals that that I have only read about in the books and in particularly the blue whales with their furry bodies because I always wondered to myself what would that look like. I felt legitimate sympathy for the Harkonnens and was surprised by the ritual background and look of the inhabitants of Caladan 10,000 years in the past. 

Dune Prophecy is really a series that is works very well for fans of the books who are familiar with the universe and it does at times test the patience of those unfamiliar with its developing plot that we will ultimately lead to a confrontation and yield a surprising outcome. I think the acting was top shelf and the climax of the episode still kept me wanting to see more as every episode has so far. Dune Prophecy “Sisterhood Above All” will premiere on Sunday December 1, 2024 at 9 PM (ET/PT) on HBO and MAX.

(C) Copyright 2024 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

HBO Announces Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui’s Award-Winning SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY, Debuting December 7 On HBO And Max.

HBO Announces Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui’s Award-Winning SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY, Debuting December 7On HBO And Max

An Intimate Portrait Of The Actor And Activist Told In His Own Voice And Through The Eyes Of His Family And Friends  Presented By DC Studios In Association With HBO Documentary Films, CNN Films, Words+Pictures, And A Passion Pictures And Misfits Entertainment Production

SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (“McQueen”), debuts SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 (8:00-9:45 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The critically acclaimed film had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and recently won six Critics Choice Documentary Awards.   Synopsis: Following a life-altering accident, Christopher Reeve persevered, by using his fame to speak of hope and to change our perception of paralysis, all while remaining a dedicated activist, actor and filmmaker, devoted dad, and loving husband to Dana Reeve, the beating heart of the family. Chronicling his personal and professional life before and after the near-fatal horseback riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY uses Reeve’s own words, as well as intimate input from his closest family members and friends, to paint a rich, nuanced portrait of a man who refused to be defined by his physicality and who proved that you don’t need tights and a cape to be a hero. After becoming a quadriplegic, Reeve harnessed his reputation as Superman to help fund medical research through his foundation, creating initiatives to improve the lives of disabled people all over the world, becoming a charismatic leader and tireless advocate, all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera, and dedicating himself to his beloved wife Dana and his three children. Dana cared for Reeve heroically and after his death at the age of 52, she remained committed to his advocacy work only to tragically succumb to lung cancer just 17 months later. The foundation was renamed the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation on the first anniversary of her death. Illustrated with a multitude of film clips of Reeve as Superman, as well as his other roles and the films he directed, and including never-before-seen, intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, the film also features the first-ever extended interviews filmed with Reeve’s children, as well as insight from Reeve’s brother, his first wife Gae Exton, and Hollywood colleagues and friends such as Susan Sarandon and Glenn Close. The film also features extensive archival footage of Reeve with his best friend and Juilliard classmate Robin Williams, who, with his wife Marsha, was a constant source of support for Reeve and his family. A moving and cinematic story of bravery and perseverance, triumph and tragedy, love and devotion, this documentary tells the remarkable story of a man who not only embodied a supernatural hero on screen, but also through his dedication and endurance, became a real life hero and symbol of hope to his wife, his family and the millions of people he touched throughout his life.   Featured Participants: Children Matthew Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens and Will Reeve; actors Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg; half-brother Kevin Johnson; friend Michael Manganiello; “Superman” producer Pierre Spengler; and former secretary of state John Kerry. The film also includes archival footage of wife Dana Reeve, father Franklin Reeve, director Richard Donner, and mother Barbara Johnson.   Credits: DC Studios presents in association with HBO Documentary Films and CNN Films in association with Words+Pictures, a Passion Pictures and Misfits Entertainment production in association with Jenco Films. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui; editor, Otto Burnham; composer, Ilan Eshkeri; produced by Lizzie Gillett, Robert Ford, Ian Bonhôte; director of photography, Brett Wiley; executive producers, Connor Schell, Libby Geist, Marie Margolius, Mark Meatto, Andrew Ruhemann, David Moulton, Andee Ryder, Daniel Kilroy; written by Peter Ettedgui; co-written by Ian Bonhôte and Otto Burnham.