Category Archive : FilmTV

It used to be said that every movie, no matter how badly it did at the box office or critically, went to heaven. Heaven, of course, meant physical media. First, it was VHS, then it was Laserdisc, then DVD, Blu-ray, and now 4K Blu-rays; every movie would get some kind of physical media release. After all, rentals and sales were important to a film’s profitability. In fact, some movies that tanked theatrically did so well on DVD that they became perennials, such as Donnie Darko or The Transporter, with the DVD sales of that movie directly influencing the studio to greenlight a sequel and give Jason Statham a legit career as an action star.

Yet, despite physical media making a comeback, it’s worth noting that some of the most popular movies in recent memory have never gotten a physical media release. And we’re not only talking about movies that all but disappeared when they hit streaming. Oscar winners aren’t getting released on physical media. In fact, the only streaming movies that reliably hit Blu-ray are the ones Netflix lets Criterion put out. Still, unless your name is Martin Scorsese or Noah Baumbach, so many HUGE movies haven’t gotten physical media releases, so let’s take a look at ten that REALLY need some kind of physical release.

10. Outlaw King:

It’s worth noting that the version of this movie I saw at TIFF in 2018 isn’t the version that hit streaming, with 20 minutes being excised from the film before its general release. Given that it’s a quasi-sequel to Braveheart and the fact that its stars, Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Florence Pugh, are even bigger now than they were back then, this seems like a movie that’s ripe for the re-appraisal a Blu-ray release could give it.

9. The King:

The same thing goes for this superb historical drama, which – quite honestly – was the movie that sold me on Timothee Chalamet. This David Michod movie is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Henry V, and Chalamet is so good that a lot of us think the action-driven drama might have played a big hand in his Dune casting. Again, Chalamet is much bigger now than he was in 2019, so why not polish it off with a new release? Joel Edgerton has rarely been better than he is in this as Falstaff, and it has an incredible score by Nicholas Britell.

Glass Onion, cameos, Knives Out

8. Glass Onion:

Again, this seems like a no-brainer, given how popular Knives Out was on physical media. You’d think Rian Johnson would push for this one to get an extras-packed release, but no dice so far from Netflix. You have to think that the people who bought the first film would love to have it in their collection, with a Rian Johnson commentary track.

7. Dolemite is My Name:

Now, this one is really inexplicable. Dolemite is My Name is begging for a Criterion release with a ribald Eddie Murphy commentary track and some deleted scenes. The original Dolemite isn’t streaming on Netflix either, making a Blu-ray set that included it a must for collectors. 

6. 6 Underground:

I’m surprised Michael Bay hasn’t pushed for a physical release for his would-be franchise starter, which Netflix apparently considered a misfire. Given the fact that it’s a Ryan Reynolds action flick, this would certainly sell well, especially for home theater enthusiasts. 

The Gray Man, first reactions, Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans

5. The Gray Man:

Another misfired franchise starter; given how Ryan Gosling is riding a new wave of popularity following Barbie, one assumes this high-profile action flick would sell a bunch of 4k discs. I suppose Netflix hopes more people will check it out on the streaming service, but it feels like a missed opportunity for disc.

Extraction 2, one-shot, Chris Hemsowrth

4. Extraction 1 & 2:

The same thing goes for the Extraction films. This has proven to be a solid franchise for the streamer, but action fans are collectors. Both of these movies would certainly make a mint on 4K Blu-ray. Give these flicks to Arrow Video, and let them do a special-feature loaded double bill. It would SELL.

3. Triple Frontier:

J.C. Chandor’s star-studded heist flick has gotten some renewed attention, with star Charlie Hunnam hyping a potential sequel. Again, some of the actors in this, notably Oscar Isaac and Pedro Pascal, are way more popular now than they were a few years ago. It’s a great movie, and frankly, this is one I’d actually like to add to my own personal collection.

2. Coda:

Apple’s Coda is the only Best Picture winner at the Oscars that you can’t get on physical media. I know from posts on X that this drives collectors crazy, so this charming film would certainly sell well, especially given that far fewer people subscribe to Apple TV Plus than Netflix. This would be a sharp way to make a little extra bread. 

Barbarian

1. Barbarian:

This one boggles the mind. Barbarian was a solid box office hit and a pop culture phenom once it hit Hulu. Horror fans love physical media, and a loaded-up Blu-ray of this movie would sell like hotcakes. That said, of every film on this list, I think this has the best chance of maybe eventually coming to physical media, with Disney putting out Prey not too long ago.

What other streaming movies do you think should be out on physical media? Let us know in the comments!

The post Great Streaming Movies We Want On Physical Media appeared first on JoBlo.

tom cruise qunetin Tarantino

Details are tight on Quentin Tarantino’s 10th and final film, but we may have more information on the building cast, as reports say that Tom Cruise is “circling” a role in The Movie Critic.

Considering Tom Cruise is just about the busiest guy in Hollywood and that the inspiration for The Movie Critica guy who wrote reviews for a porno magazine – was in his mid-’30s, we could reasonably deduce that Cruise wouldn’t be on the marquee here. But the role may be even more limited than we would expect someone of Cruise’s caliber to settle for. According to The InSneider (per ComingSoon.net), Cruise would be looking at a “small role or cameo.” That’s a bit of a disappointment, but it does show the actor’s eagerness to finally work with Tarantino.

Tarantino is also a massive fan of Cruise and his work, most recently heaping massive praise on Top Gun: Maverick. He even met with Cruise to potentially cast him in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth, the role which eventually went to Cruise’s Interview with the Vampire co-star Brad Pitt. On this meeting, Tarantino said, “We talked about it…He’s a great guy. We really hit it off.” Hopefully this connection does in fact lead to Cruise appearing in The Movie Critic, even if briefly.

As of now, Brad Pitt is confirmed to be in The Movie Critic, reuniting him with Tarantino after the aforementioned Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Inglourious Basterds. Some have speculated that Pitt could again be playing Cliff Booth, as The Movie Critic is set just a handful of years after Booth and Brandy gave the Manson Family the worst night of their lives. As for others in the cast, rumors once tied Black Bird’s Paul Walter Hauser to the title role.

Filming on The Movie Critic is expected to begin filming this year, with a possible 2025 release. Perhaps Tarantino can bring his no doubt stacked cast to the Cannes Film Festival, where he won the Palme d’Or for Pulp Fiction 30 years ago.

If Tom Cruise ends up in The Movie Critic, will you be disappointed that it’s a small role or is it good enough just to get him to work with Tarantino? Share your thoughts below!

The post Is Tom Cruise in Quentin Tarantino’s final film? appeared first on JoBlo.

lisa frankenstein box office

It looks like my box office predictions for Lisa Frankenstein were a bit off, with Deadline’s early numbers suggesting the 80s retro horror film is dying at the box office. Indeed, the Kathryn Newton/ Cole Sprouse movie is looking at only a $4 million debut despite being open on over 3000 screens. It’s actually not doing that much better than Jason Statham’s The Beekeeper, which has been open for five weeks and is already on VOD.

The only thing working in Lisa Frankestein‘s favour is that this budget was slim, an estimated $14 million. Still, that’s a rough opening when you consider the marketing costs. Critics were not kind to the film, which marks the directorial debut of Zelda Williams, daughter of the late great Robin Williams. Our own Tyler Nichols gave it a middling 6/10, praising Newton’s performance, but still found the film was “sloppy” and “lacked cohesion.” 

Lisa Frankenstein’s misfortune means that Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle gets the bragging rights of holding the top spot at the box office for a second weekend. That said, with it only grossing around $6 million, that’s not much to brag about. It’s a movie with a $200 million price tag, and it’s completely whiffed at the box office, ending any hopes of a potential franchise.

The rest of the weekend seems pretty slow, as expected, with the Super Bowl tomorrow. People won’t be going to see movies but will stay home to watch the big game instead.  For now, it looks like The Beekeeper and Wonka are both tying for third place, with a projected $3.3 million gross apiece. Migration should make about $3 million for a fifth-place finish.

We’ll be back with a full wrap-up tomorrow, but in the meantime, let us know if you’re checking out anything this weekend. 

The post Box Office: Lisa Frankenstein on track for a disastrous $4 million opening; Argylle not doing much better appeared first on JoBlo.

another round remake

When it was announced that Chris Rock would be remaking the Danish film Another Round, there was some knee-jerk concern that the comedian may not be able to nail the tone of the original. Personally, I think Rock is an intelligent enough guy to (hopefully) not turn it into a raucous, sloppy mess that the plot, on paper only, suggests. Now, Another Round director Thomas Vinterberg is weighing in on Rock having a go at a remake.

Vinterberg recently told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet (as translated by NME) that he has faith in Chris Rock taking on Another Round, saying, “The choice of Chris Rock is exciting. It’s exciting [to see] what he comes up with. I am full of good expectations.” Vinterberg then joked, “If it’s shit, he’ll get slapped again,” obviously referring to the 2022 incident in which Rock was attacked by Will Smith after joking about wife Jada.

It might seem like it’s a little too soon to be remaking Another Round, which came out in 2020, but talk of one has actually been on the table for even longer, with Leonardo DiCaprio once attached as early as the spring after the movie came out, possibly playing the role originated by Mads Mikkelsen. Rock, too, may initially seem like a questionable choice, but the man has respect for world and classic cinema, leading both Heaven Can Wait remake Down to Earth and the American re-do of Britain’s Death at a Funeral. Further, his 2007 directorial effort I Think I Love My Wife was a remake of Éric Rohmer’s 1972 film Love in the Afternoon.

For those who have yet to see Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round, it tells the story of a group of teachers who try to maintain a constant state of controlled inebriation. Also, you are missing out because it’s one of the best films of the decade so far. It would go on to win the Academy Award for Best International Film, while Vinterberg was nominated for Best Director.

How do you think Chris Rock will do with the Another Round remake? Were you a fan of the original?

The post Original Another Round director: Chris Rock might get slapped again if remake fails (he’s joking) appeared first on JoBlo.

Some cliche somewhere said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ This has proven to be the case for me and especially when it comes to fan art. I have always sought out great fan art and have wanted to share it with as many people as possible. “Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net” is the outlet for that passion. In this column, I will showcase the kick-ass artwork of some great artists, with the hopes that these artists get the attention they deserve. That’s the aim. If you have any questions or comments, or even suggestions of art or other great artists, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.

Argylle by André Barnett

Avatar by Stephen Campanella

Barbie by Edgar Ascensão

Deadpool by Oli Riches

Everything Everywhere All At Once by Wagner Diesel

Mad Max II: The Road Warrior by Angora

My Bloody Valentine by Creepy Carves Design

The Shining by Şahin Düzgün

Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight by Eddie Holly

They Live by Nikos Bogris

The post Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net: Argyle, Avatar, Barbie, Deadpool, Mad Max, My Bloody Valentine appeared first on JoBlo.

Scarlett Johansson, Featherwood, Nazi

According to Deadline, Scarlett Johansson is set to star in Featherwood, a true-crime thriller about Carol Blevins, an FBI informant who brought down members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.

Based on the award-winning Dallas Morning News series by Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Farwell, Featherwood tells the story of Blevins, “a heroin addict and ‘Aryan Princess featherwood’ (property of a gang member) who became one of the FBI’s most important informants during an epic, six-year investigation into the murderous, neo-Nazi crime and drug syndicate known as the Aryan Brotherhood Of Texas. Blevins, who lived with the gang, memorized details, pre-empted murders and interrupted robberies, helped convict 13 members of the group. However, her harrowing journey left her with significant physical and mental scars and she lives under constant threat of reprisal by the ABT.” Sounds intense, and Deadline states that many buyers are already seeing awards potential.

Featherwood is set to be directed by Andrea Arnold, best known for American Honey and multiple episodes of HBO’s Big Little Lies. Arnold is currently in post-production on Bird, a drama starring Barry Keoghan (Saltburn). Ned Benson, who had a hand in the script for Black Widow, has penned the screenplay.

Scarlett Johansson will next be seen starring alongside Channing Tatum in Greg Berlanti’s romantic comedy set against the backdrop of the 1960s space race. The film was previously known as Project Artemis but is expected to receive a new title before its release on July 12th.

The actress has also lent her voice to Transformers One, Paramount’s animated feature which tells an origin story set on Cybertron dealing with the relationship and rivalry between Autobot Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Decepticon Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry). The film is slated to hit theaters on September 12th. Franchise producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has expressed his hope that the film will be the start of a new trilogy. “We’re hoping that there is enough emotional construct to that, that would lead to a trilogy of it because, personally, I think there’s a natural trilogy,” the producer said. “I’m not always looking to do multiple movies, but there’s a natural trilogy around their relationship. So, you’re going to see Cybertron in a way you’ve never seen it, that no one’s ever seen it before. Because we’re doing an animation, we’re allowed to really go all out. If you tried to make this live-action, it would probably be a billion-dollar movie or something.

The post Scarlett Johansson to star in Featherwood, a true-crime thriller about an FBI informant who infiltrated the Aryan Brotherhood appeared first on JoBlo.

Additional reporting by Chris Bumbray

Drink up me hearties, yo ho, as the question of whether or not we’ll ever get a Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is a complicated one. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was one of Disney’s biggest long-shots back when it first premiered in 2003, yet it eventually turned into one of the most profitable franchises that the studio could have ever hoped for. While the first film is still arguably the pinnacle of the entire franchise, it doesn’t mean that fans and audiences haven’t enjoyed watching the sequels as the decades have rolled on.

That being said, Pirates of the Caribbean hasn’t released a new instalment in nearly 6 years and fans are starting to get a little antsy about when they’ll get to return to the briny deep. Of course, audiences can’t be too hasty as the franchise has had several ups and downs over the past few years (most notably the controversy surrounding the premature firing of Johnny Depp) that caused any future projects to be put on the back-burner, so to speak.

All of the problems aside, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has insisted that the franchise still has wind in it’s sails and that a sixth Pirates movie isn’t just a possibility; it’s imminent. So, with the franchise bound to make a comeback, let’s take a look at exactly what we know about the future installment.

Will The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri star?

Earlier this week, rumors were flying about The Bear‘s Ayo Edebiri possibly being courted to lead a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. The scoop came from Daniel Richtman, who’s considered one of the most reliable scoopers out there. It’s possible she could be in a new Pirates movie, although the presumption that she’s replacing Depp hasn’t been confirmed. But what about Depp anyway?

Johnny Depp Future Unknown

The biggest question on every fan’s mind regarding the next Pirates movie isn’t necessarily what the story will be – it’s whether or not Johnny Depp will come back. And the answer is that nobody knows at the moment. On the one hand, it would seem light a bit of a stretch for Depp to come back, considering how poorly the studio treated him in the wake of what happened between him and his ex-wife, Amber Heard. However, since the truth about the controversy has been resolved and Depp’s reputation has been restored, loyal fans have begged Depp to return to the big screen and give Jack Sparrow another go. There were rumors circulating last year that Depp wanted a staggering $300 million to return to the franchise, but that myth was quickly debunked.

As for the studio’s opinion on Depp returning, Bruckheimer has insisted that he considers Depp a friend and that he would welcome him back into the franchise with open arms. “He’s a friend, a terrific actor,” the producer stated, concluding with, “It’s unfortunate that personal lives creep into everything we do.” Certainly seems like Bruckheimer wants him back, but again, nothing has been confirmed on whether or not that’s what Depp wants to do. Will Depp be part of Pirates of the Caribbean 6? Most recently, Disney’s president Sean Bailey gave an interview to The New York Times, where he went on record saying, “we think we have a really good, exciting story that honors the films that have come before but also has something new to say.” However, he wouldn’t address whether or not Depp would come back.

Orlando Bloom & Keira Knightley’s Future

While Bruckheimer has confirmed that a sixth Pirates movie is in the work, all he has technically stated is that the studio has a script and story that he believes is virtually ready for production. He has also confirmed that the script doesn’t include Jack Sparrow simply because Depp has been mum on whether or not he would return to the franchise. Aside from that, anything else is merely speculation based on Bruckheimer’s comments.

So, what exactly might the script that Bruckheimer mentioned include? Well, if the most notable character from the franchise won’t return, why not bring in the next two fan-favorite characters? Will & Elizabeth Turner might not have had the on-screen presence that Jack Sparrow had, but nevertheless, they were key players in the original trilogy and (more importantly) had a story that was left open-ended with the conclusion of the last film. If a script for a sixth movie is truly ready, it would make plenty of sense for Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley to be the protagonists in Pirates of the Caribbean 6.

7th Film Starring Margot Robbie in the Works

While there’s been very little confirmed about the next film in the Pirates franchise, something that Bruckheimer has also promised is true is that the second of the scripts they’re working on is set to star Margot Robbie as the protagonist. Last year, Robbie made a comment that she thought the plans for her movie were dead in the water, however, Bruckheimer has doubled down and insisted that the film is still in the works.

Bruckheimer did state that Robbie’s comments could have been a misinterpretation of the fact that the studio is focusing on the first of their two scripts rather than hers. Regarding the two projects, he was quoted saying, “The Margot Robbie one needs work. The younger cast one is close. Hopefully, we’ll get them both.” But Bruckheimer did make sure to confirm that Robbie joining the Pirates franchise at some point in the future is absolutely part of his plan by saying, “It’s alive for me. It’s alive for Disney… we believe we’ll get it made. It’s a very strong story.”

Won’t Be Coming Out for a While

Since the only true confirmation that fans have about the upcoming movie is that there’s a script close to ready for production, it can be presumed that the film won’t be hitting screens for a very long time. Even taking into account how massive Disney is as a studio, the franchise would have to work miracles to get the cast & crew necessary for such a production together so quickly. Keeping that in mind, the next installment arriving anytime before late 2025 would be a long shot, and even that potential premiere date is a best-case scenario.

For now, fans will have to be happy knowing that a sixth film is on the horizon and hope for more conclusive information as the ship sails closer to shore.

The post Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Casting Rumors and Everything Else We Know About This Sequel (or reboot) appeared first on JoBlo.

The Conjuring 4, director, Michael Chaves

THR reports that Michael Chaves is in negotiations to serve as the director of The Conjuring 4, which is expected to be the final installment of the main series.

Michael Chaves is no stranger to The Conjuring franchise as he was the director of the last installment, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and also helmed The Nun II. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who penned the screenplay for the third installment, will return to write this final sequel. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are naturally expected to return as Ed and Lorraine Warren, with production looking to start shooting this summer in Atlanta. Plot details are being kept under wraps at this point, but a few ghostly apparitions and demonic possessions are a good bet.

Prior to officially joining The Conjuring franchise with the third movie, Chaves directed The Curse of La Llorona, which is often mistakenly included in the franchise. While the film has several notable connections to The Conjuring Universe (including an Annabelle easter egg and Tony Amendola reprising his role as Father Perez), Chaves confirmed last year that it’s not part of the franchise.

There’s so much debate about it and I think I’ve played coy in the past,” Chaves said. “The idea was that [the Annabelle cameo] was going to be this little hidden thing that you were going to discover as you watch the movie. One of the reasons that it couldn’t formally be a part of the Conjuring universe is it didn’t include one of the key producers, which is Peter Safran. The Conjuring is his baby, him and James, and they are still the two core producers on it.

The last installment of the franchise, The Nun II, was released last September, and while it received mixed reviews, it was a success at the box office, grossing $269 million worldwide against a $38.5 million budget. The larger franchise has become the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, grossing $2.1 billion across eight movies.

The post The Conjuring 4 taps director Michael Chaves to helm the final installment of the main series appeared first on JoBlo.

The Bear, season 3 release

Make your reservations! The Bear season 3 will return for its third season in June, with the show likely continuing its binge-release strategy of all episodes at once rather than week-to-week.

FX chairman John Landgraf announced the news during the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. However, Landgraf didn’t share an exact release date for The Bear season 3, nor many other details. When asked if he could reveal if the new season would have as many high-profile guest stars as it did last season, Landgraf said, “Unfortunately, I can’t. I was surprised as you were when the Christmas episode came through the door.” The episode Landgraf spoke of was pretty jam-packed with big names, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Gillian Jacobs, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, and Jon Bernthal all appearing.

Landgrad did discuss the release strategy for the new season, saying that he has “no doubt” it would continue to release all episodes at once. “It wasn’t lost on me or anyone who worked on the show that it was anxiety-inducing,” he said. “So we made the decision to drop the whole thing because it has a beautiful, uplifting ending.

The Bear has proven to be quite the hit, with the series taking home 10 awards at last month’s Emmy ceremonies, including Best Comedy Series, Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeremy Allen White), Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Ayo Edebiri), and more.

While speaking with Deadline in November, White hopes that they’ll be able to “get as many [guest stars] to come back for one day” just like the last season. White said that he would like to see Olivia Colman’s Chef Terry return, as well as Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna, the matriarch of the Berzatto clan. The actor added that his dream list of potential guest stars includes Sam Rockwell and John Turturro, who would both fit in quite well in the universe of The Bear.

The post The Bear season 3 will premiere in June and likely be a binge release again appeared first on JoBlo.

Star Wars, prequel trilogy, Hayden Christensen

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and Empire’s latest issue is an epic celebration of all three movies, including interviews with Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson and Ian McDiarmid.

Hayden Christensen reflected on his time in the Star Wars franchise. “It’s been a remarkable experience,” Christensen said. “And just a very heartwarming one. The journey that I’ve been on with Star Wars over the last 20 plus years… it’s been a wild ride, and where we’re at now is really meaningful to me.” Of course, the backlash against the prequels was rather intense at the time, with plenty aimed at Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker. Those opinions have simmered over the years, with a new generation of fans holding the Star Wars prequel trilogy in high regard.

I think that those movies have held up well over time. It feels like vindication for the work that we did,” Christensen said. “Everyone that worked on those movies thought that we were part of something special. We all wanted to do our very best work, and we cared a lot about it. And so to see the response from the fans now, it’s very cool.

Following the release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, it seemed that Hayden Christensen’s time in the franchise had come to an end, but he recently returned for appearances in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka on Disney+ and a fanbase ready to embrace him. Empire asked Christensen if he had any advice for his younger self, who stepped into the shoes of the galaxy’s greatest villain all those years ago. “Even though I was a bit overwhelmed, I was also a confident young man, and I wanted to make my mark,” Christensen said. “But I guess if I were to have some advice for me during that general time in my life, it would be: ‘Patience’. Because my journey with the character and with Star Wars has at times been a bumpy one… but I’m in a good place with it now. And so that’s why I say patience.

As for the future, who knows, but Christensen has said that he’d be open to reprising the role for a Darth Vader series down the road. “If the opportunity presents itself, I would be all for it,” he said. “I think this is a character that is very complex, and there’s a lot there to further explore. If the powers that be were so inclined, I would be so excited to get to do so.

The post Hayden Christensen says Star Wars prequel trilogy has held up well appeared first on JoBlo.