Film release cancellations in Russia added to boycotts in response to invasion
Just days ahead of the highly anticipated theatrical release of “The Batman”, Warner Bros. made the swift and necessary decision to cease any distribution plans in Russia. A spokesperson for the studio said in a statement, “In light of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, WarnerMedia is pausing the release of its feature film ‘The Batman’ in Russia”.
While getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, British actor, known for his latest roles in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “The Power of the Dog” also called specifically for action to bring the assault on Ukraine to an end, when he emphasized in his speech that “This is no longer a time for avarice or sloth or inactiveness or ineptitude. We need to act.”
Walt Disney Co. and Sony Pictures also have plans to pause any releases of their films in Russia which includes the previously scheduled release of the Pixar film “Turning Red” for March 10, as well as Sony’s “Morbius” which is currently slated for release early April.
The Ukrainian Film Academy called for an international boycott of the Russian film industry. The Motion Pictures Association also condemned Russia for its attack and made the statement that it “stands with the international community in upholding the rule of law and condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
“we r hot” show dance rehearsal with commentary (hilarious sexy fun)
After her wild Ukulele post popped up on her crazy subterranean TikTok account and a couple of random posts since, today Billi Eilish posted what appears to be a impromptu reversal video with some hilarious commentary. Set to the song “Lost Cause” (very hot now).
The account which only has 14 videos since it first popped up and has 35.4 million followers (of course!) and 190.3 millions likes, and the video (below) got a whopping 3.2 million in the first hour and currently has accumulated 80 million views to date. The first full video on the account – other than the Ukulele post mentioned above. That one went live back on November 13, 2020.
It’s pretty clear from the humor, voice over and the attitude that Billie loves the vibe and spontaneity of TikTok and this video and her rogue account style fits right in!
Even at the relatively elderly summit of 19 her sultry, dark style along with top of the world presence continues to command loyalty and love for her music and style. Her recent biographical photo book was also a hit and the new songs will likely continue at the top of our summer list. The documentary is great also.
Oh, and the WORLD TOUR 2022 starts in February! Kicking off in Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA, however, unfortunately tickets for that show has since been SOLD OUT!
Straight from a recent Justice League photo shoot, Zack Snyder shared a new Batman image. Fans can catch a glimpse of (Ben Affleck) suited up in the Knightmare version. Albeit, you only see his backside, it definitely helps to hype-us-up for his Director’s Cut, which is coming in a little over a month’s time.
Snyder shared the back of Batman, wearing a trench coat, the same one he wore in “Batman vs. Superman”. It was confirmed during a live commentary track for “Batman vs. Superman”, that there would be a Knightmare sequence, one in which Bruce Wayne dreams of a hellish/dystopian future, and Superman has become a servant of Apokolips (with potential to set the stage for “Justice League with the teaser trailer”!?)
The new updates about Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League and the format came to surface at the beginning of the year. Originally the concept was that the 4 hours of the first cut would be separated into one hour segments ( indicating more like a multi-part series), however based on a screenshot posted from the director’s Vero account, it will actually be a full, non-stop, 4-hour movie.
We will just have to wait and see all the changes and additions to “Justice League”, the countdown begins and it will, finally, be available to stream on HBO Max starting on March 18, 2021.
On any given day, particularly the weekend, there are more than a handful of different options you can choose from when you are deciding what to stream for some entertainment. Almost every week, in fact, yes, there is on almost every streaming platform, some new and exciting content to watch.
Not only is it difficult to keep up with the constant changing slate of offerings, but they way they are presented often makes it more difficult to sort though the new, the type and the quality of film or show you might want to choose.
We try to cut through the confusion and give a little bit of help to make choosing an entertainment option less of a chore and more of a joy. There’s a big-time partnership between Warner Brothers and HBO max which is adding a lot of fresh new content to the premium streamer this year. Here are some of the highlights we’ve seen so far:
Although “Wonder Woman: 1984” in not considered a new release anymore since it was released in theaters and the HBO Max streaming platform Christmas day. Time is running out on being able to watch the superhero sequel, there are only days until it will be no longer available to stream, Jan. 25, 2021 to be exact. And if you do watch, its more than worth the wait to sit and watch the post-credit scene.
“Euphoria” Part 2
The release of the second part of the 2-part special episode “Euphoria” will get a little bump to its release. Originally slated for Jan 24, it will be released Friday Jan 22. Titled: ‘“F*ck Anyone Who’s Not A Sea Blob”. As for the actual Season 2 of the show, the release date is unclear due to the pandemic and difficulties resuming production, we may just have to wait until later in 2021 or even 2022.
The Little Things
Another anticipated HBO Max movie is “ The Little Things”. Denzel Washington plays Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter (played by Rami Malek) to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case. The movie also has includes actor Jared Leto.
“Justice League”
Some new updates have recently surface about Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League. Originally the concept was the 4 hours of footage would be cut into 1 hour segments (multi-part series), however based on a screenshot posted from the director’s Vero account, it will actually be a 4-hour movie. The film is still on schedule to be released for the dual: theater and HBO Max premier this coming March 2021.
Robert Eggers Returns to Design another Horror-Period Piece in “The Lighthouse”
In 2015, production designer Robert Eggers pulled off something quite difficult—he successfully blended the horror and period piece genres to write and direct “The Witch,” a critically acclaimed film that deals with supernatural and terrifying phenomena during the early seventeenth century. Mixing these estranged genres together is a challenging feat, but Eggers managed to do it well, earning a name for himself in the movie business.
Egger’s next film, “The Lighthouse”—which he wrote with his brother Max Eggers—will also take place in a bygone era. Set in the 1890s, this upcoming black-and-white horror movie follows the story of two lighthouse keepers as they battle cabin fever, intoxication, madness, mystery, and mayhem on a secluded New England island.
Shines an Eerie Light on stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson
The two lighthouse keepers are played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. These two stars are the only principle members of the cast. There is only one other credited role, and it goes to an unknown actress named Valeriia Karaman who plays a mermaid. Clearly, the movie will deliver on its eerie feeling of isolation.
Still, these two actors could be enough star power to carry the film along. Willem Defoe is a veteran actor at this point. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards, most recently getting back-to-back nominations for “The Florida Project” and “At Eternity’s Gate” in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Meanwhile, many may still think of Robert Patinson as a pretty face from the “Twilight” series, and some are suspicious of his upcoming leading role in “The Batman.” However, those who are up-to-date on Hollywood’s indie scene will know that Patinson is a more than gifted actor, as he delivered wonderful performances in both 2017’s “Good Time” and 2014’s “The Rover.”
Both actors have already received praise for their roles in “The Lighthouse,” as the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and critics raved about its beauty, brilliance, and above all, its masterful use of a sinister tone.
Prestigious Blend of Psychological Thrills and Supernaturalism that will Mess with Your Head
The movie is foremost a psychological thriller, as the loneliness of living together on a forsaken island leads the two lighthouse keepers into states of hypnosis and madness, so much so, that they become enemies. This makes the bulk of the movie fit into a certain subgenre of horror. One that bends the audience’s mind with surrealism in the same vein as Darren Arronofsky’s “Black Swan” or Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.”
At the same time, given the character’s hallucinatory states, “The Lighthouse” also becomes a supernatural horror movie. We know from the casting that there will be a mermaid in the film, and the trailer shows us brief, partial images of a tentacled creature—quite possibly a sea monster.
Will these supernatural things really be there in the movie’s diegesis? That is likely up to the viewer to decide. Like many psychological thrillers, it is not always clear weather paranormal events are really going on, or if the characters are just losing their minds.
Black & White Aesthetic brings Artistic Brilliance Reminiscent of Classic Horror Films
Regardless, the black-and-white cinematography gives “The Lighthouse” a very cool look, especially when combined with these mysterious creatures. Of course, the lack of color primarily adds to the movie’s gloomy mood and ominous feeling, but on top of that, it also makes the film look reminiscent of classic Universal horror films, most potently “The Creature From The Black Lagoon.”
Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke also employs contrasting lighting and what seem to be primitive lenses in order to invoke a retro, almost German Expressionist feel. It gives the movie a very raw feeling that gives the audience a sense for the way things were at the turn of the twentieth century.
Robert Eggers impressed us with “The Witch,” and quite frankly, “The Lighthouse” looks like far less of a risk. The movie may send us back in time, but not so far back as the Salem With Trials. Likewise, it is backed by A24, which is essentially the go-to studio for indie projects nowadays. This creates an element of prestige in “The Lighthouse” that we did not quite have in Egger’s earlier films.
This is not a bad attribute. In fact, it is a very good one for both Eggers and the audience. Essentially, we are saying that “The Lighthouse” has a larger appeal, a more promising cast, and a story that will be easier to latch on to. Also, now that Eggers has a bit of a reputation under his belt, he may be more willing to bend some rules within his craft. Of course, there will be twists and turns along the way, but we are confident that “The Lighthouse” will rattle our bones throughout and keep us questioning the truth up until its very end.
