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  When audiences met Moana almost a decade ago, the determined heroine couldn’t wait to find out how far out to sea she might go on a quest for adventure. As we return to find her in Moana 2, the passionate young leader is several years older when she’s called once again by destiny to serve her people. This time it gives her pause, though. She knows to head out on another quest means leaving her village and family behind. As she considers her life path, she struggles with the choice. Directors David Derrick Jr. (previously a story artist on Moana, Encanto and Strange World), Jason Hand (formerly head of story on Encanto and a story artist on Zootopia) and Dana Ledoux Miller (whose past credits include writing for Narcos and Designated Survivor) wanted to show audiences a new Moana who has grown into her role as a leader of her people but still hears the call to adventure. For Ledoux Miller, who is Samoan American, honoring Moana’s heritage was especially important in the story. Evolution of a Friendship “As a first-time director, stepping into a huge film and with a huge crew, learning new things about animation, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about being a leader and the kind of leader that I want to be moving forward,” says Ledoux Miller. “I think we’re constantly pushing ourselves to be better and to do right by Moana and tell her story. I’d say for me, what’s really resonated, and especially as the story goes on after what you’ve seen, is that connection between Maui and Moana. It’s important to me to build on that friendship that started in that first film. They both were changed by meeting each other. So, we are exploring this idea of how they changed each other and how they might continue to push on each other.” Ledoux Miller believes what’s fascinating about the two characters in the first film is they don’t let each other get away with anything. She adds, “That’s still very much true in this film. Caring about someone and developing a deep friendship with someone changes you. It makes you vulnerable in ways that you know you weren’t before you had that relationship. It was really exciting to push on that and to see what our animators have done [with] those performances, the depth and the nuance of the acting.”   ph. by Evan Mulling ‘It’s important to me to build on the friendship between Maui and Moana. So, we are exploring this idea of how they changed each other and how they might continue to push on each other.’ — Director Dana Ledoux Miller       Hand felt the return of Auli‘i Cravalho as Moana was especially important for what the actor brings to the role. He also believed she brought a sense of continuity for the audience. “She was cast as Moana at 14 years old, so she’s come a long way on this journey, and we couldn’t be more excited about what she’s brought back into the recording of Moana 2 and really just who she is as a person,” says Hand. “We’ve been really fortunate on this film to have her come into the studio several times to just share what this movie means to her. She’s grown up with Moana, but, even more than that, just what it means to her as a Hawaiian and how this story has really impacted the world in a much larger way.” Only Connect: While ‘Moana’ (2016) was about correcting damage to nature by humans, the sequel focuses on the necessity of community, which is a powerful theme in Pacific Islander culture. Moana 2 boasts the returning vocal talents of Cravalho in her signature role as Moana and Dwayne Johnson in his unforgettable role as Maui. The voice cast also includes Rachel House (Gramma Tala), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui), Nicole Scherzinger (Sina), Hualālai Chung (Moni), David Fane (Kele), Rose Matafeo (Loto), Awhimai Fraser (Matangi), Gerald Ramsey (Tautai Vasa) and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, who plays Moana’s adoring, feisty little sister, Simea. In addition, Moana 2 features music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush (Encanto, Moana, Zootopia) and Ledoux Miller wrote the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson. Saying Aloha to New Faces  Because this is a new chapter in Moana’s life, we meet some new characters on the way. None of them is more vibrant or energetic than Simea, who is Moana’s baby sister. Animator Kevin Webb happened to have a daughter who was around the same age as Simea when he started working on the film. His daughter and home videos of her running, playing and having everyday adventures became perfect references for Simea’s movements, facial expressions and unique look. “I would watch my own daughter running or walking around at the age of three or so, and you see she’s excited but bumping into things. But that’s the way kids this age move, and it was great to have that as a reference for Simea, who really wants to be like her big sister and do all the things her big sister does, but she doesn’t quite have the coordination to do it yet,” says Webb. “So she’s trying and that contrasts with Moana, who has grown up a bit. We haven’t changed her that much, but there are subtle things. Her hair is different, like Moana has a little comb-over now that kind of comes in front of her face. She’s also someone who is very stronger in mind and physically fit, so you see she is a little more muscular.”   ©2024 Disney ‘These new animation tools have allowed us to put something even bigger up on screen. We wanted to maintain the look of the film but just continue to push it further. And I think that’s what our team’s done.’ — Director Jason Hand     Possibly the most personal influence on the look of Simea came from both Webb and his daughter. “When I was growing up, I had buck teeth for a long time and then, sure enough, my daughter had the same thing, and it kind of influences how you speak,” says Webb. “It was something we gave Simea that just gave her this sort of adorable look.” In the eight years since the first film was released, new tools have evolved and others have been refined. Both developments gave the animators more possibilities in terms of movement and emotion. “These tools have allowed us to put something even bigger up on screen,” says Hand. “We have more characters. The world where Moana lives and the places where she goes are more lush and beautiful than they’ve ever been. The water looks incredible. There’s foam up on top of the water, and our production designer was always so excited about it. It’s so great because we get to use all this incredible technology to make the film even more layered for the audience while we still kept the look of the first film. We were able to introduce all kinds of new, fun and interesting characters. We wanted to maintain the look of the film but just continue to push it further. And I think that’s what our team’s done.” Crafting this new depth to Moana 2‘s deeps wasn’t completely smooth sailing, despite the new tech, visual effects supervisor Carlos Cabral recalls. “Working with water was one of the very first early challenges. We haven’t done water at that scale since the original film. We’ve had water in some of our other films, but not the with the performance required,” he explains. “We knew this water in this film was going to be was a challenge, and so we did coordinate between both locations — Burbank and Vancouver — of our one studio. We worked together to come up with a strategy. We wanted to take our water and our water system to the next level . And so all of these three things — the tools, the process, the workflows — were all updated and we were working in a new paradigm with it.” With these refined tools, not only was the movement of the water more specific but the delicate facial movements and physical stances of the characters were also more precise. This gave animators more choices when deciding how characters would act. “I think a good example of that is we had some controls over some of her muscles, if we wanted to dial in on her bicep, for example, that was something that was different between the old film and this film,” says Webb. “This was a huge part of redeveloping the way Moana would move as someone who is now older, stronger and not a small kid anymore. There are also some new features in her face and new muscles that can be triggered in her face. For example, the mentalis muscle, which is the kind of muscle in your chin that is triggered when you begin to cry, is something we have more control over now. So, we show Moana and her little sister moving those muscles because [we] need to break some hearts. These little updates have allowed us to open up new acting possibilities.” Island Dreams: ‘Moana 2’ is directed by the trio of David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, who shared the goal of taking the familiar characters to new places as Moana grows in to her role as a leader of her people. Poetry in Motion The creators on Moana 2 pushed further into new movements by working with a choreographer to develop a range of actions, dances and expressions. Sometimes when they needed a reference for a kind of movement that wasn’t so clear to them, this gave them a starting point for their designs. “[Choreographer] Tiana Liufau was amazing to work with,” says Webb. “A lot of times we would look at a musical sequence and we would think maybe there’s some movement that can be more specific, and she would come right back to us with something that just fit. Other times we would be looking for a hand gesture or something that would fit with a moment or song, and she would come back to us with the perfect thing.” David Derrick Jr. ©2024 Disney Derrick was deeply touched by these specific movements while directing the movie. With his own ties to Moana’s cultural background, there was one moment that stays with him and bolsters the meaning of the film: “Speaking culturally, and for the story, one of my favorite moments in the film is where Moana is receiving the title from her father and from her village” he says. “There’s so much care and consideration went into every single frame of that. I love how it shows the specificity of culture, but it also shows the love of the community.” Less tender but equally effective motion rocks the screen in the film’s climactic, supernatural tempest. “[The biggest production challenge] was probably the storm sequence and manifestation of that magical storm controlled by our antagonist in the film,” notes VFX supervisor Kyle Odermatt. “That involved a huge collaboration between multiple departments working on it to try and capture the scope and the vision and what directors had in mind and provide the visualization and options so we could all formulate the idea together or come to the end result together. That sequence was a lot of interaction with the ocean, a lot of performance by the ocean, but also clouds, lightning, and all of our main characters involved. It was all the departments, modeling environments, effects, characters, everyone working at together at the same time.” “There was lots and lots of research on storms and tornadoes, and we referenced a lot of tornado footage,” Cabral adds. “We also looked at a lot of wave structure and we researched different types of seas. So we had a scale of intensity for the ocean that we could give to the directors. This way the directors would reference it in terms of what they’re envisioning for the intensity of the water.” Luckily, the sequel’s themes of coming together were reflected throughout the challenging production, as the Disney animation and VFX teams in both Burbank and Vancouver found a collaborative rhythm to bring Moana 2 to life. “We didn’t distinguish [between the facilities], so there was leadership and artists in both locations,” says Odermatt. “We had commingled crews and shots were cast by the particular nature of a given challenge, not by where an artist or supervisor was located. In the modern world with remote work and hybrid work workflows, it really has opened up many possibilities. It’s fabulous that we all got to work on this project together.”   Disney’s Moana 2 opens in theaters nationwide on November 27. Check out the latest sneak peek, “Big, Bad Matangi,” below. You can watch the official trailer here. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i07sCEEFPBM[/embed] #Venturing #Waters #Moana #Creative #Team #Surprising #Disney #Journey

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Vspo!, Virtual Entertainment's esports virtual YouTuber project, debuted a teaser video on Thursday to announce that it is launching plans for a feature-length anime film. The staff plans to complete this first part of the anime project by the end of 2025. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZROSmtuOdw[/embed] The members of Vspo! stream as VTubers and compete in esports tournaments. Hiroki Hirano (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation II) is directing the anime at PINE JAM. Fans can support the anime project by joining the "Studio Members" campaign for 33,000 yen (about US$220, tax included) each from November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025. The resulting anime will have two versions — one version in which the Vspo! members voice the dialogue, and another version using professional voice actors. (The version voiced by the Vspo! members will be exclusive to the "Studio Members" campaign's backers.) Other rewards include invitations to the advance screening of the anime's first six episodes with a talk show featuring the staff, having their names listed in the anime's credits, copies of the first episode's dialogue recording script, anime design sheets, animation drawings, membership cards, and advance news on the anime's progress. Update: Corrected description of the anime's version voiced by Vspo! members. Source: Comic Natalie #Vspo #Esports #VTuber #Project #Launches #Anime #Feature #Film #News

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On November 12th, Arrow Video delivers the beloved horror-comedy classic, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark on 4K UHD, starring the campy “hostess with mostest.” In 1988, Elvira departed the red sofa on the Movie Macabre set to star in her first major motion picture, solidifying her status as a major comedy/pop culture icon. The Limited-Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and hours of special features.Elvira (Cassandra Peterson, Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold) quits her job and is down on her luck when the phone rings with the news that a distant aunt has died and named her in the will. She embarks on a cross-country trip to accept the inheritance. As it turns out, the relative has left Elvira a poodle, a decrepit manor, and a family cookbook. The prudish locals, led by Edie McClurg (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), aren’t happy that the goth temptress remains in their precious town, and Elvira appears bound for a one-night bonfire instead of the lush life she envisioned.The special features include three vintage audio commentaries, a feature length making-of documentary with cast and crew, a featurette on the special effects, an introduction by the director, original storyboards, image galleries, and an Illustrated collector’s booklet with essays. Watch the trailer for Elvira: Mistress of the Dark here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZdrAqH78l8&t=1sOn November 12, The Invasion makes its global debut on 4K UHD, as well as Blu-ray. This 2007 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers puts humanity at risk from alien invaders, only this time it happens through an epidemic, instead of the pods used in previous versions. Featuring a 4K transfer, the film is presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and filled with both new and archival special features.When a space shuttle wrecks upon re-entry, the debris scatters from Washington D.C. to Texas. Eager souvenir hunters grab the chunks of heat shield without having a clue that they’re covered in alien spores. The collectors are becoming infected and transforming into new beings. A psychiatrist, Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman, Eyes Wide Shut), hears from a patient (Veronica Cartwright, Alien) who swears her husband is a different person. After their meeting, the psychiatrist notices strange things about the people around her: they are either freaking out or displaying no emotions. There are also reports of a fast-moving dangerous flu. After a night of trick-or-treating with her son, Carol makes a grisly discovery that she shares with her boyfriend, Dr. Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig, Knives Out), and a leading biologist (Jeffrey Wright, Casino Royale). Can they discover the true nature of the infection and what happens when people fall asleep? The Invasion was eerily ahead of its time, with its tale of the effects of a post-pandemic world.The special features include a brand-new audio commentary, a new visual essay, vintage featurettes with cast and crew interviews, trailer, an illustrated collector’s booklet with essays, and a double-sided fold out poster with new and original artwork.Watch the trailer for The Invasion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEj6PRJce9EOn November 19, the neo-noir crime thriller A Simple Plan arrives from director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead) on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. The Academy Award®-nominated film shows what can go wrong when an unexpected fortune falls from the sky. Featuring a 4K remaster from the original camera negative and approved by director Sam Raimi, the film is presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and contains both new and archival special features.Brothers Hank Mitchell (Bill Paxton, Apollo 13) and Jacob Mitchell (Billy Bob Thornton, Bad Santa), with their friend Lou (Brent Briscoe, Twin Peaks: The Return), search in the snowy woods for a lost dog. What they find instead is a crashed plane with a bag stuffed with over $4 million in hundred-dollar bills inside. When they decide to keep the money and not tell anyone about it, things begin to unravel quickly.The special features include two brand new audio commentaries, a new visual essay, new interviews with cast and crew, vintage on-the-set interviews with the stars and crew, trailer and an Illustrated collector’s booklet with essays.Watch the trailer for A Simple Plan here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8aZUd6O9AOn November 19, the ‘90s J-Horror box office hit Tomie makes its U.S. debut in a Limited Edition Blu-ray release. Based on the smash-hit series by cult manga artist Junji Itō (Uzumaki), Tomie is about a detective Harada (Tomoro Taguchi, Tetsuo: The Iron Man), who investigates the murder of high school girl Tomie Kawakami (Miho Kanno, Dolls). He quickly learns this is a bigger case since several of her classmates and a teacher have committed suicide or have gone insane. The detective’s research shows that there was someone also named Tomie Kawakami who was murdered three years ago in a rural part of Japan. Further startling evidence reveals that numerous women named Tomie Kawakami have been murdered for over a century. The detective locates Tsukiko (Mami Nakamura, Tales of the Unusual), a surviving classmate of the latest Tomie. Instead of losing her mind, she merely suffers from amnesia. She has no memory of the time around Tomie’s murder. Tsukiko also doesn’t notice her neighbor’s fast-growing child who begins calling herself Tomie. What is the secret to this woman who won’t stay dead? Tomie’s box office success spawned seven sequels.The special features include a brand-new audio commentary, new interviews with cast and crew, image gallery, trailer and an Illustrated collector’s booklet with essays.Watch the official trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ry_GZw5e-MOn November 26, Shawscope Volume 3 arrives with a Limited-Edition Blu-ray box set containing 14 movies from the vault of Hong Kong’s legendary Shaw Brothers Studio: The One-Armed Swordsman, Return of The One-Armed Swordsman, The New One-Armed Swordsman, The Lady Hermit, Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan, The 14 Amazons, The Magic Blade, Clans of Intrigue, Jade Tiger, Sentimental Swordsman, The Avenging Eagle, Killer Constable, Buddha’s Palm, and Bastard Swordsman. Shawscope Volume 3 explores the wuxia genre that features heroic warriors wielding legendary weapons. Thirteen of the movies feature new 2K restorations by Arrow Films from the original negatives, and a new 4K restoration of The One-Armed Swordsman by Celestial Pictures.Jimmy Wang Yu (Master of the Flying Guillotine) became a superstar with one arm tied behind his back to play Fang Gang in The One-Armed Swordsman. Fang must retrain to be able to sword fight with his left arm after losing his right arm in a fight involving a jealous woman. Can his new one-armed technique defeat the long-armed Devil and his goons? Return of The One-Armed Swordsman has Fang Gang (Jimmy Wang Yu) happily retired with his wife. A group of wicked warriors calling themselves the Eight Sword Kings arrive on the scene and terrorize all the local schools. They want rival students to cut off their sword arms as a sign of surrender. Fang once more picks up his sword to defend the students before they suffer his fate. The New One-Armed Swordsman introduces David Chiang (Shaolin Temple) as the new title character. Lei Li (Chiang) cuts his own arm off after losing a duel that he doesn’t realize was crooked. He takes a humble job as a waiter until one night, he steps up to help someone. During the fight, he’s joined by Feng (Ti Lung, A Better Tomorrow). He relearns how to fight with Feng’s help. Eventually Lei Li seeks revenge against the cheater who cost him his arm.  All three of The One-Armed Swordsman films were directed by Chang Cheh (Five Deadly Venoms).The Lady Hermit puts a sword back in the hands of Cheng Pei Pei (Come Drink With Me). Swordswoman Leng Yushaung (Pei Pei) gets injured in a fight with the Black Demon (Wang Hsieh, Jade Tiger) and hides out as a cook at a protection order. She quietly trains a female student before the Black Demon and his men show up. Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan is a murder mystery. A wealthy businessman is found dead, and the prime suspect is the courtesan Ainu (Lily Ho, The 14 Amazons). A masked fighter attempts to derail the police investigation into Ainu and the activities at the Four Seasons brothel.The 14 Amazons has a grandmother (Lisa Lu Yan, Crazy Rich Asians) lead her clan into battle when she gets frustrated with the ineffective military leaders. Her women-led force proves formidable on the battlefield.The Magic Blade declares Fu Hongxue (Ti Lung, The Avenging Eagle) as the best swordsman in the empire. His biggest opponent Yan Nanfei (Lo Lieh, King Boxer) can’t touch him at tournaments. The rivals must unite when the up-and-coming Gong Ziyu (Tang Ching, The Black Dragon) seeks the revolutionary “Peacock Dart” so he can claim Fu’s title.Three leaders of clans are poisoned with spiritual water in Clans of Intrigue. Swordsman Chu Liuxiang (Ti Lung) arrives on the scene with three female disciples and is immediately suspected as the killer. In order to prove his innocence, Chu must uncover the culprit within a month otherwise he’ll be put to death.Jade Tiger tells the tale of a bitter family feud. Zhao Wuji (Ti Lung) interrupts his wedding day for a fight. He returns victorious only to discover the ceremony has been raided by the rival Tang Clan. His father’s head has been cut off. Can the Zhaos get revenge for ruining this special day? Sentimental Swordsman has Li Xunhuan (Ti Lung) head back home to protect an old girlfriend (Candice Yu On-On, Death Duel) from a villainous swordsman. Sentimental Swordsman was a massive hit for Shaw Brothers with the mix of action and broken romance. The Avenging Eagle has Black Eagle Qi Mingxing (Ti Lung) rescue Zhuo Yifan (Alexander Fu Sheng, The Chinatown Kid) from dying in the desert. Qi was part of the legendary Thirteen Eagles but is now being hunted down by his former brothers.Leng Tianying (Chen Kuan-Tai, Executioners from Shaolin) is assigned to find the thieves that robbed the palace vault in Killer Constable. This isn’t an easy investigation since the head of the robbers Fang Fengjia (Ku Feng, One-Armed Swordsman) orders the “Killer Constable” murdered. Leng can’t learn what palace insider was part of the heist. Buddha’s Palm is a fantastical tale of a secretive technique. Swordsman Lung Kim-Fei (Derek Yee Tung-Sing, Sentimental Swordsman) is taken by a giant bird to a cave to meet the blind Koo Hon-Wan (Alex Man Chi-Leung, Bastard Swordsman). He’s taught the supernatural Buddha’s Palm and wants to repay Koo by tracking down a magical pearl that can restore his vision. Bastard Swordsman features the Silkworm Style of swordplay in a tale of rival clans. Yun Feiyang (Norman Tsui Sui-Keung, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) seems to be a mere minion to the Chief of the Wudang, but turns out to have a deeper connection.The special features include hours of compelling bonus features, including feature commentaries on each movie, several cast-and-crew interviews from the Frédéric Ambroisine Video Archive, the Korean cut of Killer Constable, a compact disc with soundtrack music from different films and an Illustrated collector’s booklet with essays.Watch the trailer for Shawscope Volume 3 here: https://youtu.be/Rq9ARhDRZw8?si=1P7papjNFe2RlslF #Arrow #Video #Invasion #Simple #Plan #Elvira #JHorror #Shawscope #November #Pulse

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The ever-iconic Saturday Night Live has officially entered its landmark 50th season. Created by Lorne Michaels, the late-night sketch comedy show has been airing on NBC since 1975, with the inaugural episode hosted by stand-up legend George Carlin, which will soon be portrayed in Jason Reitman's recently released dramedy Saturday Night. The series has received a whopping 84 Emmy wins, the most out of any other television show in history, and has been hailed by many as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. The series is headlined by a supremely talented ensemble of comic performers, a host (often there to promote a new project), a musical guest, and numerous cameos. Saturday Night Live has helped skyrocket the careers of some of the biggest names in film and television, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Chris Farley, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Norm Macdonald, Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Kate McKinnon, and Pete Davidson; and that's just to name a few. The sketch show has even branched out of television and has turned some of its fan-favorite sketches into feature films, such as Wayne's World, The Blues Brothers, Coneheads, MacGruber, and most recently Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain. Will There Be a New Episode of 'SNL' Tonight? Image via NBC Yes, there will be a new episode of SNL tonight. Since its inception, Saturday Night Live has always aired live from New York on NBC, and that's probably not ever going to change. Season 50 Episode 3 will air on Saturday, October 12 at 11:30 pm EST, both on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The new episode will also be available to stream on Peacock afterward, along with every other season of the show. Watch on Peacock Who Is Hosting 'SNL' This Week? Pop sensation Ariana Grande is set to host this week's episode of Saturday Night Live. Grande has served as a musical guest before in Season 40 (Chris Pratt) and Season 49 (Josh Brolin), as well as going double-duty as the host and the musical guest in Season 41. However, tonight's episode will mark the first time that Grande has hosted where she won't be the musical guest. Grande initially began her career as an actress, appearing in the Broadway musical 13 before being cast as Cat Valentine in the popular Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious, and the spin-off series, Sam & Cat. Although Grande's career truly took off in the music industry, having won 2 Grammy Awards and received 13 additional nominations. Grande has released seven studio albums, including Yours Truly in 2013, My Everything in 2014, Dangerous Woman in 2016, Sweetener in 2018, Thank U, Next in 2019, Positions in 2020, and Eternal Sunshine in 2024. While music seems to take priority for Grande, she has still acted from time to time, having most recently appeared in Adam McKay's Oscar-nominated satire Don't Look Up in a supporting role. She will next be seen playing Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu's highly anticipated feature film adaptation of Wicked, which hits theaters in November. So far, the Season 50 host lineup has included Hacks' Jean Smart and stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze. Who Is the Musical Guest on This Week's 'SNL'? Image via FX Two-time Grammy winner and rock and roll icon Stevie Nicks is set to be the musical guest for tonight's episode of Saturday Night Live, marking her second time on the show, having performed back on Season 9 (Flip Wilson). One of the most revered names in the history of rock music, Nicks has been performing since 1966 and soon became a household name during her tenure with the beloved band, Fleetwood Mac. Nicks has released eight albums as a solo artist, including Bella Donna in 1981, The Wild Heart in 1983, Rock a Little in 1985, The Other Side of the Mirror in 1989, Street Angel in 1994, Trouble in Shangri-La in 2001, In Your Dreams in 2011, and the recently released 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault. So far, the Season 50 musical guest lineup has included Jelly Roll and Coldplay. Who Is in the Current Cast of 'SNL'? Image via NBC As with any long-running television program, the cast of Saturday Night Live has radically changed through the years. Credited as "repertory players" for Season 50 are Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Michael Longfellow, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Devon Walker, Bowen Yang, and Weekend Update anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost. Featured players this season include newcomers Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline. Staff writers Martin Herlihy, Ben Marshall, and John Higgins, known as the comedy trio Please Don't Destroy, also appear in digital videos that appear in nearly every episode and often feature the host interacting with the three young comedians. Maya Rudolph will also be making appearances on the show as Kamala Harris alongside Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff and Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz in the episodes leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election. Who Is Hosting the Next Episode of 'SNL'? The October 19 episode will see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton return to host the show for a fourth time, with musical guest star Billie Eilish. The November 2 episode will have stand-up-comedian John Mulaney returning to host for a sixth time with Chappell Roan making her SNL debut as the musical guest star. Saturday Night Live A famous guest host stars in parodies and sketches created by the cast of this witty show.Release Date October 11, 1975 Cast Leslie Jones , Aidy Bryant , Kyle Mooney , Alex Moffat , Kate McKinnon , Beck Bennett , Kenan Thompson , Colin Jost , Mikey Day , Cecily Strong , Michael Che , Pete Davidson , Melissa Villaseñor Seasons 48 Franchise snl Story By Colin Jost Network NBC Directors Lorne Michaels Showrunner Lorne Michaels Expand #SNL #Tonight #Whos #Hosting

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Lara Croft has had many death-defying adventures across the decades of the “Tomb Raider” video game franchise. The biggest puzzle for this iconic character has been her inability to find a worthy adaptation in other formats. The silly, Angelina Jolie-led duology was kitschy, and the reboot with Alicia Vikander, meant to resemble the Crystal Dynamics-developed 2013 video game reboot, was forgettable. All of them were excessively cartoonish for their own good, to be honest. And in an ironic twist of fate, Croft’s latest iteration, a Netflix animated series fittingly titled “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft,” is the finest the character has been realized in an adaptation. Serving as a sequel to the ‘Survivor’ video game trilogy (“Tomb Raider”; “Rise of the Tomb Raider”; “Shadow of the Tomb Raider”), the eight-episode series sees Croft (voiced by Hayley Atwell) wrestling with her grief amid a globe-trotting adventure. This pertains to her uncle/mentor Conrad Roth’s (voiced by Nolan North) death during the events of the first Survivor installment. However, for those new to the series, the series establishes their relationship quite effectively within the first episode. In the show’s prelude, a young, inexperienced Croft completes her late father’s adventure to recover an ancient Chinese artifact. She’s commended by Roth, who happens to be nearby. When they run into deadly mercenaries outside an ancient temple, Roth teaches Lara a valuable lesson about survival, instructing her to be independent. This carries on in the three-year time jump that follows after his death. In the present day, Lara is hardened, spiritually and physically, far too afflicted by her pain to deal with it head-on. She would rather spend her days overseas fighting in competitions than returning home to Croft Manor. Even when it puts her at the crossroads of her best friends, right-hand travel companion and cook Jonah (Earl Baylon, reprising his role from the games), and tech expert Zip (Allen Maldonado). At their suggestion, Lara auctions off some of her late father’s belongings. At the event, a scorned man with a past, Charles Devereaux (Richard Armitage, relishing in his devious line deliveries), steals her artifact. Lara soon learns she harbored one of four mystical stones with the power to mind-control others and the world. Across the season, Lara and Jonah go on a globe-trotting chase for the remaining pieces before Devereaux brings about the end of the world.  The animation in “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” was produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios, the same house behind Netflix’s Castlevania series. It is telling from the familiar, sharply-angled character designs, with some minor facial details that set it apart. The animators preserve the action-adventure elements from the source material and impart a grander, more intense atmosphere appropriate for the medium. Many perilous locations and action scenes throughout Croft’s quest exhibit a vibrant visual appeal, flowing with artistic exhilaration. The writers, including executive producer Tasha Huo and producer Shakira Pressley, examine the titular character uniquely. Each episode goes into Croft’s past, mostly through each mystical MacGuffin she finds. The action direction is often cool, but the direction conveying the underlying pain Croft feels within herself is the most impressive visual feat of the series. Atwell’s committed voice performance amplifies the strong character writing, further enhanced by bold imagery more akin to a psychological thriller. She may be animated, but this iteration is the most fully rendered Croft has been yet outside of the games. “Tomb Raider: Legend of Lara Croft” fits alongside the acclaimed TV versions of “Fallout” and “The Last of Us,” continuing the strong streak of video game television adaptations that are far better than they have any right to be. All episodes were screened for review. Now on Netflix. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLYZKVlgaUU[/embed] #Netflixs #Tomb #Raider #Legend #Lara #Croft #Life #Iconic #Character #TVStreaming

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AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson reacted to Claudio Castagnoli’s last match statement ahead of WrestleDream 2024. At All Out, Moxley shocked fans by attacking Danielson right after his title defense against Jack Perry. Christian Cage appeared ready to cash in his AEW title clause, but Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Pac arrived. In a surprising twist, Moxley and Castagnoli turned on Danielson while Pac held back Wheeler Yuta. After turning on Danielson, Jon Moxley secured the number one contender spot for AEW WrestleDream 2024, taking the opportunity from Darby Allin, who was the original number one contender. The Blackpool Combat Club has been targeting Bryan Danielson since AEW All Out. Recently, Claudio Castagnoli, a member of the faction, spoke with Sports Illustrated. He revealed that this match will be Danielson’s last on Dynamite before his career-ending bout against Jon Moxley at WrestleDream. On Dynamite, Bryan Danielson was scheduled to team up with Wheeler Yuta to face PAC and Claudio Castagnoli. Before the match, Danielson addressed Claudio’s remarks about it being his final Dynamite appearance. Bryan Danielson to Claudio Castagnoli: ‘This isn’t my last match on dynamite’ Before AEW Dynamite, the promotion shared a video featuring Bryan Danielson’s reaction to Claudio Castagnoli’s remarks. In the video, Danielson addressed Claudio’s claim about it being his last match on Dynamite, asserting it wouldn’t be. He confidently stated that he and Wheeler Yuta would defeat Claudio and Pac on Dynamite. He stated, “So apparently Claudio did an interview with Sports Illustrated, telling everybody this was gonna be my last match on Dynamite. Well guess what Claudio, big news, this isn’t gonna be my last match on Dynamite. Tonight, I’m gonna run through you and PAC. Me and Wheeler Yuta are gonna run through you guys. And then Saturday at WrestleDream, Mox, you don’t know what you got coming to you. Danielson also added, “Listen Claudio, I’ve been a supporter of you for 20 years. 20 years, I have been your friend. 20 years, I have supported you in every company that we’ve worked together with. But tonight, tonight, there’s gonna no support. There’s just gonna be me in Spokane, Washington kicking your f**king head in.” Later on in the show, Bryan Danielson and Wheeler Yuta defeated Claudio Castagnoli and PAC. With Danielson gaining the upper hand, he is set to defend the AEW World Title against Jon Moxley this Saturday, October 12, at AEW WrestleDream 2024 in Washington. #Bryan #Danielson #Fires #Claudio #Castagnolis #Match #Statement

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Despite Pixar’s vaunted status in the world of animation, the studio has been questioned a lot lately. This isn’t an entirely bad thing. Pixar never belonged on a pedestal, though some of us are guilty of placing it on there. I’ve never had any reason to doubt Pixar, and my faith in them has always been justified. Elemental is the first Pixar movie I watched in theaters since Onward in 2019. It’s been a frustratingly long four years. Some personal turmoil also made it difficult for me to really anticipate this movie. I just wasn’t as excited as I normally would be. Maybe this too wasn’t an entirely bad thing, because I had no idea walking into that theater what awaited me. This movie, par for the course, is unlike anything we’ve seen before. It’s the type of story that couldn’t have come from anywhere else. It is so distinctly Pixar even as it lights a new way. LIGHTHEARTED FUN — In Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” go-with-the-flow guy Wade (Mamoudou Athie) ushers fiery young woman Ember (voice of Leah Lewis) out of her comfort zone to experience Elemental City like never before. Directed by Peter Sohn (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Party Cloudy” short) and produced by Denise Ream (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Cars 2”), Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” releases on June 16, 2023. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. Pixar films in recent years have taken on a more intimate and personal tone. We’ve watched a myriad of experiences unfold onscreen: the woes of a parent watching their child grow up; a child learning to fill the space left by a parent; a boy leaving his family and another finding one; a girl’s terrifying but hilarious journey into puberty. Director Pete Sohn drew on his own upbringing as a child of Korean immigrants in Elemental. The prejudices portrayed throughout are unfortunately true to our own world. Sohn wrote a very touching letter that brought me to tears. Like his parents, mine sacrificed so much to be here. Sometimes I’ve felt unworthy of that sacrifice.  The tagline of this movie is opposites react. Fire and water can’t touch. There’s so much hostility between these two elements, so much mistrust. It’s the buddy movie formula Pixar has perfected, but this time as a love story.  Ember (Leah Lewis) is the daughter of Bernie (Pixar’s Ronnie del Carmen) and Cinder (Sheila Vosough), shopowners who journeyed on a ship from the old country to a new land. They arrived in Element City when Ember was still, well, an ember in her mother’s womb. She grew up to be feisty, independent, and fiercely devoted to her family and their business, The Fireplace. Ember also has a temper she can’t control. But she tries! Oh does she try. One day Wade (Mamoudou Athie), a city inspector and a water guy bursts through the pipes in the shop and immediately writes up a bunch of citations. The store is in danger of closing which would crush Bernie. Ember is also being primed to take over the business, something she’s very impatient to do.  Despite Wade’s role in The Fireplace being shut down, an unlikely friendship springs up between them which eventually leads to a very sweet romance. But how can their love be accepted? They can’t even touch each other. But somehow they are meant to be.  FUELING THE FIRE – Sparks fly in Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” when Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, gets to know a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade. Featuring the voices of Mamoudou Athie and Leah Lewis as Wade and Ember, respectively, “Elemental” releases on June 16, 2023. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. Elemental is really too special for words. It glows with this earnestness and vitality, a story about family, sacrifice, love, and trust. Ember and Wade are both irresistible. The latter in particular is endearingly precious, a goofball who’s prone to loud displays of crying. Ember continues the tradition of red haired Pixar ladies, her indomitable spirit layered with vulnerability. It’s also refreshing that she isn’t concerned with her own dreams, but just that of her family’s. She’s always putting herself second. (Not a bad thing either).  Pixar has created another astonishing world I want to live in. Element City is rippling with color and texture, so unbelievably vibrant that all you can do is soak it in. I couldn’t even look for any easter eggs! Computer animation continues to evolve in such thrilling ways.  We can thank Elemental and Across the Spiderverse for a banner year of animation, stunning us with visually innovative feats and featuring immigrant stories that reflect our own lives.  Also playing with Elemental is “Carl’s Date,” the short film directed by Bob Peterson. It’s taken a while to get to the big screen, after Disney+ delays. But it’s finally here! The tradition is being revived and I couldn’t be happier. A lot of fans weren’t happy with the premise of this short. I wasn’t one of them. Ellie is my favorite Pixar character, and I loved seeing her in this short, even if it was only in her wedding photograph with Carl. It’s a charming and heartwarming few minutes that remind you of how amazing Dug is. Carl is less the grouch but still totally lovable. You’ll be left wondering how his date actually goes because we never see it! Maybe there will be a part two. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT — In “Carl’s Date,” a brand-new short from Pixar Animation Studios, Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner) reluctantly agrees to go on a date with a lady friend—but admittedly with no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, his lovable talking dog Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends—if you’re a dog. Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, “Carl’s Date” opens in theaters on June 16 in front of “Elemental.” © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. See Elemental and “Carl’s Date” now playing in theaters everywhere. Last modified: September 10, 2023 #Invigorating #Pleasures #Elemental

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The official Disney Princess YouTube channel has released a new storybook-style short exploring the inaugural Winter Festival. In celebration of the mega-popular animated film franchise, the annual event brings in a storm of new stories and products for fans. Some Things Never Change: Frozen Fan Fest is back!The annual event brings in new stories and products so exciting that fans won’t be able to “Let it Go.”Premiering today, the official Disney Princess YouTube channel launched a new Frozen story titled Disney Off the Page Adventures: Arendelle Ice Calamity. The story reunites Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff in a storybook style in a new standalone tale. Using the power of family and friendship, the group will have to save the Winter Festival from an outright calamity threatening to ruin the inaugural event. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xag0YmJj2xQ[/embed] Launching on October 7th on the Disney Princess YouTube channel, fans can experience even more of the chilling fun of these fan favorite characters in Disney Frozen: Winter Festival. The new stop-motion series will also explore the inaugural Winter Festival. With fun festivities celebrating the beginning of winter, Frozen’s unforgettable characters will set up the event, sharing warm treats with friends and family. New episodes of the series will premiere weekly during the month of October.Make sure you celebrate these classic Disney Princesses by heading to Disney+ to stream Frozen and Frozen 2. Read More Frozen: Maxon Faber Based in Los Angeles, California, Maxon is roller coaster and musical theatre nerd. His favorite dinosaur is the parasaurolophus, specifically the one in Jurassic World: The Ride. #Frozen #Fan #Fest #Explore #Flurry #Stories #Products #Celebrating #Iconic #Animated #Film #Series

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Worldwide simultaneous release planned for series' 1st new volume in 4 years Image via Haruhi Suzumiya franchise's X/Twitter account© Nagaru Tanigawa, illustration Noizi ItoKadokawa's BookWalker Global store is listing that The Theater of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekijō), the new volume in Nagaru Tanigawa's Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series, will launch in English on November 29.BookWalker describes the volume's story: SOMETIMES EVEN HARUHI DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS! While the SOS Brigade visits a shrine to ring in the New Year, Kyon can't help but notice a distinct lack of supernatural or reality-bending phenomena. Despite this, he's as wary as ever. After all, Haruhi has a tendency to turn even the most mundane events into impossible uproars! That danger could not be more pressing when their club activities lead them into a world of school wonders and whodunit mysteries. Even peaceful moments are remarkably bizarre when Haruhi is around... ANN reached out to Yen Press, but the company did not respond as of press time. The account previously announced on August 31 that The Theater of Haruhi Suzumiya will have a simultaneous worldwide release on November 29. The initial announcement did not state if the volume would have releases in languages other than Japanese. The volume will include two short stories previously published in Kadokawa's The Sneaker magazine, plus a new sequel to those two stories. The "Suzumiya Haruhi Gekijō: Fantasy-Hen" (Haruhi Suzumiya Theater: Fantasy Arc) short story ran in the August 2004 issue of The Sneaker. It begins when the SOS Brigade are apparently transported to a fantasy world. The story continues in different worlds through the "Kaete Kita Suzumiya Haruhi Gekijō" (Return of Haruhi Suzumiya Theater) follow-up story in the June 2006 issue of The Sneaker. The upcoming new volume will then add a new sequel short story to these earlier stories. Tanigawa and illustrator Noizi Ito published 11 novels for the original series between 2003-2011. The light novel series has more than 20 million copies in print as of 2017. The Little, Brown Books for Young Readers imprint and Yen Press released the entire series (at the time) in 10 volumes between 2009-2013. The first 10 volumes are also available in English digitally. Kadokawa published The Intuition of Haruhi Suzumiya, another volume of two earlier short stories and one new short story, in November 2020, and Yen Press published the volume in English digitally at the same time, with the print version following later in June 2021. The first season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime series premiered in 2006 in a non-linear order, and was rebroadcast in 2009 with new episodes and a new chronological order. Kyoto Animation animated the show's first and second seasons. Bandai Entertainment previously held the license to both series, but Funimation rereleased the anime in 2016. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya anime film opened in 2010. Bandai Entertainment and later Funimation released the film on home video. The novels have also inspired a manga and spinoff manga. Several of the spinoff manga have also inspired anime works. Sources: Haruhi Suzumiya series' X/Twitter account, BookWalker Disclosure: Kadokawa World Entertainment (KWE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, is the majority owner of Anime News Network, LLC. One or more of the companies mentioned in this article are part of the Kadokawa Group of Companies. #BookWalker #Global #Store #Lists #English #Release #Theater #Haruhi #Suzumiya #Light #November #News

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We’re deep into Spooky season and Arrow Video is looking to scare you with three releases. Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment brings Pinhead to 4K UHD (and also available on Blu-ray) to frighten you even more. The boxset includes the first four entries in the series starting with Hellraiser directed by Cliver Barker. J-Horror Rising boxset contains 7 movies from the era in Japan when filmmakers went deep into frights. The films are Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, Inugami, St. John’s Wort, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, Persona, and Noroi: The Curse. Trick ‘r Treat is an anthology film about four stories that take place on the same Halloween night. Are you going to answer the door with candy after seeing them? Here’s the press release from Arrow Video with all the details and bonus features: New from Arrow Video US  Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment [Pinhead Slipcase Limited Edition] [4K UHD] [Blu-ray] 10/22/24 J-Horror Rising [Limited Edition] [Blu-ray] 10/29/24 Trick ‘r Treat [Limited Edition] [4K UHD] 10/29/24 via MVD Entertainment Group Arrow in October Summons Hellraising Heatwith a Stunning Clive Barker Collection,Japanese Horror & a 4K Trick ‘r Treat! On October 22nd, Arrow Video unleashes the Limited-Edition, Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. The box set contains Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, and Hellraiser: Bloodline, featuring brand new 4K restorations from the original camera negatives with presentations in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), and hours of both new and archival special features. Hellraiser, the dazzling directorial debut from writer/director Clive Barker, introduces us to Pinhead, and otherworldly beings called Cenobites, who seek carnal experiences but can no longer differentiate pain from pleasure. With a mysterious puzzle box, Frank (Sean Chapman, Scum) unwittingly summons a trio of demonic beings who torture and murder him. When his ex-lover Julia (Clare Higgins, Ready Player One) discovers his partially resurrected body, the duo embark on a murderous campaign to return Frank to his complete, rejuvenated form. Frank’s teenage niece Kirsty (Ashley Laurence, Creepshow the Series) takes the puzzle box, unknowingly beckoning the sadomasochistic Cenobites and their leader, Pinhead (Doug Bradley, Nightbreed), who will stop at nothing to get Frank back. Andrew Robinson (Dirty Harry) co-stars.Hellbound: Hellraiser II picks up after the events of the first film with Kirsty (Ashley Laurence, Slipknot: Snuff) being admitted into a psychiatric hospital. Her doctor (Kenneth Cranham, Hot Fuzz), secretly obsessed with the Cenobites, uses another patient’s bloody death to unlock the world of the demonic beings and resurrect the murderous Julia (Clare Higgins, The Sandman). Entering the labyrinthian world of the Cenobites is Kirsty’s only chance of survival.In Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, a New York City club owner purchases an intricately carved pillar for his apartment, not realizing it holds the key to the Cenobites and their realm. A reporter (Terry Farrell, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and young club-goer (Paula Marshall, Malignant) are thrust into a race against the Cenobites that they have unwittingly unleashed. They quickly realize they are humanity’s only hope between the Cenobites and hell on earth. In addition to the original theatrical release, this collection includes an alternate unrated version of the film.The fourth installment, Hellraiser: Bloodline, serves as both a prequel and a sequel, flashing back to the 18th century and a toy maker (Bruce Ramsay, Supernatural) tasked with the creation of the puzzle box called the Lament Configuration, a portal to hell which will eventually unleash the Cenobites. Then in the 20th century, the toy maker’s descendant, an architect (Ramsay), creates a building in the form of the Lament Configuration, and in the 22nd century, an engineer (Ramsay) and the descendant of the toy maker and architect work feverishly to unlock the Lament Configuration. All three timelines merge in the stunning conclusion of the Clive Barker-produced Hellraiser series. In addition to the original theatrical release, this collection includes a newly discovered work print version of the film.The special features for both 4K UHD and Blu-ray collections include new and archival audio commentaries, documentaries, and interviews with casts and crews, archival on-set interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, FX dailies, new visual essays and critical appreciations, original and newly discovered EPK interviews, trailers and TV spots, image galleries, and drafts of screenplays.Simply put, Arrow’s Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment will Tear Your Soul Apart!Watch the brand new trailer here: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEYlVOGiu0E[/embed] On October 29th, J-Horror Rising is released in a Limited-Edition Blu-ray box set containing an assortment of seven versatile titles in the Japanese horror genre: Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, Inugami, St. John’s Wort, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, Persona, and Noroi: The Curse. Each title has been remastered and filled with both new and archival special features.  All is not what it seems in Shikoku, as a young woman returns to her hometown and learns that her childhood best friend died at age sixteen. Her friend’s mother, a Shinto Priestess trained in exorcisms and séances, may have more planned for her departed daughter than anyone realizes. In Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, a woman with ESP helps survivors of a massive earthquake find loved ones who have passed. She then faces her greatest battle as she encounters a spirit with multiple personalities, one of which may possess supernatural powers.  In Inugami, a dark love story that proved to be the final from master director Kon Ichikawa (Odd Obsession, Tokyo Olympiad), a young teacher finds himself falling in love with a woman, only to be antagonized by her family with ties to the supernatural. A video game designer (Megumi Okina, Ju-On: The Grudge) is forced to confront her past in St. John’s Wort, as she gathers footage and inspiration from the long-abandoned mansion she inherited from her father.  Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman is a supernatural tale of a teacher who investigates the abductions of children. These crimes lead the teacher down a rabbit hole and may be tied to an urban legend of a cursed mother who possesses others, and the only telltale sign is a persistent cough. Body horror, action, and the supernatural all converge in Persona as two women – a medical researcher and student – possess the same body, a body that begins to grow superpower abilities. The two are not the only ones who have become “Personas,” as they learn they are a part of a secret government program. A documentary filmmaker and paranormal researcher finds more than he bargained for in the inventive film Noroi: The Curse. The film pieces together a mystery using footage shot by a cameraman, revealing supernatural powers that the filmmaker inadvertently invoked.  Special features include audio commentaries, new and archival interviews with directors, casts and crews, archival making-of featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, trailers, TV spots, and image galleries. Watch the trailer for Shikoku here: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb2gnOkyfR0[/embed] On October 29th, Michael Dougherty’s (Krampus) clever, modern horror classic Trick ‘r Treat is released on 4K UHD. Featuring a brand new 4K restoration approved by Dougherty, the film is presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and filled with both new and archival special features.  This anthology film, in the tradition of Creepshow, tells four interwoven tales of wicked trickery: a murderous principal (Dylan Baker, Happiness) attempts to put his latest victim to rest, a young college student (Anna Paquin, True Blood) seems destined to become prey to a serial killer, a junior high schooler falls victim to the bullying of her classmates, and a cruel, old curmudgeon (Brian Cox, Succession) in a creepy, dilapidated house finds something far more frightening than himself. Each vignette takes place on the same blood-chilling night under the sinister guidance of the spirit of Samhain. The special features include new and archival audio commentaries, brand new interviews with cast and crew, archival featurettes focusing on the various aspects of the production, a short film by director Michael Dougherty with commentary, deleted and alternate scenes with commentary, promos, multiple image galleries, and trailers Watch the trailer here: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzHsF6WiwyU[/embed] The cult classic anthology horror movie makes its debut on 4K Ultra HD. Dive into the sinister and darkly humorous world of Trick ‘r Treat, written and directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus). This anthology film communes with the spirits of classic horror portmanteaus like Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt, weaving together four chilling tales, all taking place during the same fateful Halloween night. Follow the secretive and disturbing life of a high school principal who leads a double life as a ruthless serial killer; the journey of a young girl (Anna Paquin, X-Men) looking for love who finds something infinitely more macabre; a group of teenagers playing a prank with disastrous consequences; and an old man (Brian Cox, Succession) confronted by Sam, a mischievous trick-or-treater with a terrifying secret. With its interwoven tales of terror and unforgettable characters, Trick ‘r Treat has cemented itself as a Halloween essential, paying loving homage to the golden age of horror comics and 80s creature features with a slick modern style sure to send shivers down the spine of any fright fiend. Get ready for the scariest Halloween of your life – and remember, always check your candy! Bonus Materials 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films, approved by writer-director Michael Dougherty 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Archival audio commentary by Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins and composer Douglas Pipes Becoming Sam, a brand new interview with actor Quinn Lord The Devil is in the Details, a brand new interview with production designer Mark Freeborn If Looks Could Kill, a brand new interview with director of photography Glen MacPherson Designs to Die for, a brand new interview with costume designer Trish Keating Bark at the Moon, a brand new interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos Mark Freeborn Remembers Bill Terezakis, a new tribute to the late make-up effects designer Tales of Folklore & Fright, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty, Breehn Burns and Simeon Wilkins Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick ‘r Treat, an archival interview with Michael Dougherty on the making of the film Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Douglas Pipes Tales of Dread & Despair: Releasing Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Rob Galluzzo of the Shock Waves podcast, exploring the film’s release and fandom Season’s Greetings, a short film from 1996 directed by Michael Dougherty with optional director commentary The Lore and Legends of Halloween, an archival featurette narrated by actor Brian Cox School bus VFX comparison Deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by director Michael Dougherty FEARnet promos Sam O’Lantern Storyboard and conceptual artwork gallery Behind the scenes gallery Monster Mash comic book set in the Trick ‘r Treat universe Trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck Six postcard-sized artcards Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Becky Darke and Heather Wixson Brand new audio commentary with writer-director Michael Dougherty moderated by James A. Janisse & Chelsea Rebecca from Dead Meat Podcast Experience the sublime agony of the first four Hellraiser films like you never have before in all-new 4K restorations in this limited edition set. WE HAVE SUCH SIGHTS TO SHOW YOU… In the 1980s, Clive Barker changed the face of horror fiction, throwing out the rules to expose new vistas of terror and beauty, expanding the horizons for every genre writer who followed him. With Hellraiser, his first feature film, he did the same for cinema. Hedonist Frank Cotton (Sean Chapman) thinks he has reached the limits of earthly pleasure. But a mysterious puzzle box will take him further than he can possibly imagine, opening the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible and summoning the Cenobites, whose experiments in the higher reaches of experience will tear his soul apart. When he manages to escape, Frank returns to the world skinless and in need of help. Now his former lover Julia (Clare Higgins) must kill to make him whole again. But the Cenobites want Frank back, and there’ll be hell to pay when they find him. Hellbound: Hellraiser II expands on Barker’s original vision as screenwriter Peter Atkins takes Julia Cotton, her step daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) and the sinister Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham) into the dominion of the Cenobites themselves. Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth sees Pinhead set loose on the sinful streets of New York City to create chaos with a fresh cadre of Cenobitic kin. Then, Hellraiser: Bloodline sinks its hooks into past, present and future with the story of Phillip LeMarchand, the 18th-century toymaker who made the lament configuration puzzle box, his descendent John Merchant – a 20th-century architect whose most recent building bears a striking resemblance to the lament configuration – and Dr. Paul Merchant, a 22nd-century engineer and designer of The Minos, a space station which is a great deal more than it seems. Experience the sublime agony of this quartet of torment like you never have before in all-new 4K restorations from the original camera negatives. Hell has never looked better! Bonus Materials 4-DISC ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS Brand new 4K restorations of all four films from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films Ultra High Definition (2160p) presentations of all four films in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Original lossless stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio for all four films Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Ages of Desire, an exclusive 200-page hardback book with new writing from Clive Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes Limited edition layered packaging featuring brand new Pinhead artwork DISC 1 – HELLRAISER Brand new audio commentary featuring genre historian (and unit publicist of Hellraiser) Stephen Jones with author and film critic Kim Newman Archival audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker and actor Ashley Laurence, moderated by Peter Atkins Archival audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker Power of Imagination – brand new 60-minute discussion about Hellraiser and the work of Clive Barker by film scholars Sorcha Ní Fhlainn (editor of Clive Barker: Dark Imaginer) and Karmel Kniprath Unboxing Hellraiser – brand new visual essay celebrating the Lament Configuration by genre author Alexandra Benedict (The Beauty of Murder) The Pursuit of Possibilities – brand new 60-minute discussion between acclaimed horror authors Paula D. Ashe and Eric LaRocca celebrating the queerness of Hellraiser and the importance of Clive Barker as a queer writer Flesh is a Trap – brand new visual essay exploring body horror and transcendence in the work of Clive Barker by genre author Guy Adams (The World House) Newly uncovered extended EPK interviews with Clive Barker and stars Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, and effects artist Bob Keen, shot during the making of Hellraiser, with a new introduction by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman Original 1987 Electronic Press Kit Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser – archival interview with the actor Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser – archival interview with the iconic actor about his first appearance as ‘Pinhead’ Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score – archival interview with Coil member Stephen Thrower Trailers and TV spots Image gallery Draft screenplays DISC 2 – HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II Brand new audio commentary featuring Stephen Jones and Kim Newman Archival audio commentary with director Tony Randel, writer Peter Atkins and actor Ashley Laurence Audio commentary with director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins Hell Was What They Wanted! – brand new 80-minute appreciation of Hellbound, the Hellraiser mythos and the work of Clive Barker by horror authors George Daniel Lea (Born in Blood) and Kit Power (The Finite) That Rat-Slice Sound – brand new appreciation of composer Christopher Young’s scores for Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II by Guy Adams Archival on-set interview with Clive Barker Archival on-set interview with cast and crew Behind the scenes footage Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellbound – archival interview about the actor’s return to the role of Frank Cotton Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellbound – archival interview with the iconic actor about his second appearance as ‘Pinhead’ Lost in the Labyrinth – archival featurette featuring interviews with Barker, Randel, Keen, Atkins and others Trailers and TV spots Image gallery DISC 3 – HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH Alternative Unrated version (contains standard definition inserts) Brand new audio commentary featuring Stephen Jones and Kim Newman Archival audio commentary with screenwriter Peter Atkins (Theatrical Cut only) Archival audio commentary with director Anthony Hickox and actor Doug Bradley (Unrated Version only) Previously unseen extended EPK featuring interviews with Clive Barker and Doug Bradley FX dailies Time with Terri – archival interview with actor Paula Marshall Raising Hell on Earth – archival interview with director Anthony Hickox Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser III – archival interview with the iconic actor about his third appearance as ‘Pinhead’ Theatrical trailer Image gallery DISC 4 – HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE Brand new audio commentary featuring screenwriter Peter Atkins, with Stephen Jones and Kim Newman The Beauty of Suffering – brand new featurette exploring the Cenobites’ connection to goth, fetish cultures and BDSM Newly uncovered workprint version of the film, providing a fascinating insight into how it changed during post production Hellraiser Evolutions – archival documentary on the evolution of the franchise and its enduring legacy, featuring interviews with Scott Derrickson, Rick Bota and Stuart Gordon among others Books of Blood and Beyond: The Literary Works of Clive Barker – archival appreciation by horror author David Gatwalk of Barker’s written work, from The Books of Blood to The Scarlet Gospels Theatrical trailer Image gallery Easter egg J-Horror Rising presents seven of the genre’s most distinctive titles in this limited edition set from Arrow Video. Remastered from the best available elements and packed with a host of new and archival extras, J-Horror Rising presents seven of the genre’s most distinctive titles. In the ghostly pastoral horror of Shikoku, a young woman returns after many years to her rural birthplace, only to find her best friend from childhood has died by drowning when just sixteen. The dead girl’s mother, the local Shintoist priestess, has embarked on the region’s famous pilgrimage – but why is she walking backwards? The aftermath of the devasting Kobe Earthquake of 1995 creates fissures in the already fractured mind of a high-school girl in Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, allowing an unwelcome intruder to set up home in her head and leaving a volunteer worker with psychic powers to determine which of her personas is the fake one. In Inugami, a teacher finds himself drawn to a local papermaker, only to find himself the subject of some hostility from her extended family, who are rumored to be the descendants of the guardians of ancient evil canine spirits. Megumi Okina (Ju-On: The Grudge) plays the art designer for a horror-themed videogame in the innovative St. John’s Wort, who is forced to confront her childhood traumas when her colleagues ask her to gather visual materials from the creepy gothic mansion she has inherited from her estranged artist father. Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman features the titular predatory murderess drawn from urban legend, where it turns out home isn’t the safest place for her potential child victims in this disturbing supernatural horror. A new craze for wearing ceramic masks sweeps the students of a high school, unleashing a wave of anonymous juvenile delinquency amongst the literal fashion-victims of Persona. Last but not least, the chilling Noroi: The Curse adopts a pseudo-documentary format as an investigative reporter into paranormal phenomena is forced to confront horrors beyond his wildest imagination after learning about an ancient folkloric demon. LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all seven films Original lossless 5.1 and lossless stereo sound options for Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, Inugami, St. John’s Wort, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman and Noroi: The Curse, and original lossless stereo audio for Persona Optional English subtitles for each film Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Eugene Thacker, Jasper Sharp, Anton Bitel, Amber T., Mark Player, Jim Harper and Sarah Appleton Double-sided foldout poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Conlon Limited Edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Conlon DISC ONE: SHIKOKU / ISOLA: MULTIPLE PERSONALITY GIRL Brand new audio commentary on Shikoku by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes Brand new audio commentary on Isola: Multiple Personality Girl by critics and Japanese cinema experts Jasper Sharp and Amber T. The Aftermath, Tom Mes discusses J-Horror at the turn of the millennium Something in the Water, a brand new interview with Shikoku director Shunichi Nagasaki Archive interviews with director Shunichi Nagasaki and actors Chiaki Kuriyama and Yui Natsukawa on Shikoku Archive interview with actors Yoshino Kimura and Yu Kurosawa on Isola: Multiple Personality Girl On-set footage of the filming of Shikoku Original trailers and TV spots for both films Image galleries DISC TWO: INUGAMI / ST. JOHN’S WORT Brand new audio commentary on Inugami by Japanese cinema expert Jonathan Clements Brand new audio commentary on St. John’s Wort by Japanese cinema expert Amber T. Dog Days, brand new video interview with Inugami director Masato Harada The Making of St. John’s Wort, archival featurette Archive interviews with St. John’s Wort actors Megumi Okina, Koichiro Saito, Reiko Matsuo and Koji Okura On-set behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of St. John’s Wort Original trailers and TV spots for St. John’s Wort Image galleries for both films DISC THREE: CARVED: THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN / PERSONA Brand new audio commentary on Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman by Japanese folklore expert Zack Davisson Why So Serious?, a brand new interview with Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman director Koji Shiraishi Weapon of Choice, a brand new video essay on Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman by Japanese horror specialist Lindsay Nelson Confessions of a Mask, a brand new interview with Persona director Takashi Komatsu Image galleries for both films DISC FOUR: NOROI: THE CURSE Brand new audio commentary by film critic Julian Singleton Director’s POV, a brand new video interview with Noroi: The Curse director Koji Shiraishi The Man in the Shadows, a brand new interview with Noroi: The Curse producer Taka Ichise Changing Perspective, a brand new video essay on Noroi: The Curse by Japanese horror specialist Lindsay Nelson Ectoplasmic Worms, a brand new video essay on Noroi: The Curse and Japanese cosmic horror by Japanese cinema expert Amber T. How to Protect Yourself Against Curses Urgent report! Pursuing the Truth about Kagutaba!! TV Special Over half an hour of deleted scenes Trailers and TV spots Image gallery #Arrow #spooks #October #Hellraiser #JHorror #Rising #Trick #Treat #Pulse

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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available. Not long after Lewis Pullman made headlines in the first Thunderbolts* trailer, he's also the face of another trailer for a movie that couldn't be more different. Utopia has released the first trailer for The Line, a movie detailing the life of university students who live without fear or consequences. The trailer shows Alex Wolff and Austin Abrams as your frat boys who just can't seem to stay out of trouble, but are somehow always bailed out by the leader of their house. The Line will make its world premiere in New York on October 18 before premiering worldwide the following week on October 25. Halle Bailey, Bo Mitchell, and the late Angus Cloud all star in The Line and make an appearance in the first trailer as well. Zack Purdo, Alex Russek, and Ethan Berger wrote the script for The Line, with Berger stepping into the director's chair to helm the film. Russek and Purdo will both make their feature writing debut on the project, with Russek having worked on several shorts prior. Berger will also make his directorial debut on The Line, but he has experience working as a producer on several episodes of the LeBron James-led documentary series, More Than an Athlete, which explores LeBron's life on and off the court. Berger also worked as a music consultant on The Air I Breathe, the 2007 crime thriller starring Brendan Fraser, Kevin Bacon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Clark Gregg, Emile Hirsch, Forest Whitaker, and Jon Bernthal. What Else Have ‘The Line’ Stars Been in Lately? Wolff is best known for his roles in Hereditary and Pig (Nicolas Cage), and he also played a small role in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Abrams plays Ethan Lewis in Euphoria, and is also known for his role as Ben in Paper Towns and Tommy Milner in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Pullman is best known for his role as Bob in Top Gun: Maverick, and he recently starred alongside Brie Larson in the Apple TV+ series, Lessons in Chemistry. John Malkovich, best known for his role in In the Line of Fire, and Scoot McNairy, who plays Joe Stafford in Argo, will both also star alongside Pullman and Wolff in The Line. The Line premieres in theaters everywhere on October 25. Check out the first trailer for the film above and find tickets below for a showtime near you. FIND TICKETS This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available. Your changes have been saved Follow Followed Follow with Notifications Follow Unfollow #Lewis #Pullman #Fraternity #House #Line #Trailer

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When John Ashton appeared first in Haroula Rose’s “All Happy Families,” now in theaters, I smiled. As he did so many times throughout his career, Ashton helps ground Rose’s film in the believable. He was an actor who never seemed fake, even in the broadest comedy scenes of hits like “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Midnight Run,” two of the best such films of their era. Ashton added a relatable everyman believability to everything he did, all the way to the end, which sadly came this week when the character actor passed away from cancer at age 76. A USC School of Theatre graduate, John Ashton was a TV and film staple in the ‘70s and ‘80s, appearing in several episodes of “Dallas,” and one-shots on everything from “Columbo” to “Police Squad!” He played characters in films like “Breaking Away” and even “King Kong Lives,” but his gruff persona fit perfectly in a pair of beloved ‘80s action-comedies. First, as Taggart in “Beverly Hills Cop,” Ashton was the perfect foil for Eddie Murphy, capturing the conservative, old-fashioned cop that Murphy’s Axel Foley was designed to replace, while also refusing to turn him into a two-dimensional dinosaur. Other actors would have leaned into the differences between Axel and Taggart, but Ashton gives a more complex performance than that, eventually realizing that his way of policing may not be the only one. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUmelrncGRc[/embed] He’s even better in 1988’s “Midnight Run,” again knowing how to be a perfect supporting actor by balancing out the energy of the leads while never stealing focus from them. He appeared memorably in “Some Kind of Wonderful” in between the two, but the ‘90s were rougher on Ashton with a lot of forgettable roles in forgettable films. He had basically disappeared when Ben Affleck made the very smart decision to cast Ashton in “Gone Baby Gone,” where he reminded viewers how much he can do in even a limited role. He was recently seen reprising his role in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” and, again, can be seen in Rose’s film, making what he did well look so, so easy. #Reliable #Force #John #Ashton #Tributes

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Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour has captivated audiences worldwide, creating a wave of enthusiasm and garnering attention with each performance. As the tour continues to unfold, fans are buzzing with anticipation for her next shows, especially the highly awaited event on September 29, 2024. Are you curious about where Taylor Swift is tonight? Here’s a complete overview of her upcoming schedule and plans. Where is Taylor Swift today, September 29? On September 29, Taylor Swift will be taking a brief hiatus from her tour. With no concerts on the agenda for the day, she appears to be dedicating this time to unwind and rejuvenate before resuming her captivating performances. Ryan Murphy, the creator of Grotesquerie, recently shared that Taylor Swift encouraged her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, to audition for a role on the FX show. In an interview with E! News at the premiere in New York City, Murphy expressed his excitement about Swift’s support for Kelce, noting that she wanted him to explore this opportunity if he was interested. Murphy praised Kelce, describing him as a natural talent with the potential to become a major movie star. He mentioned that he had heard only positive things about Swift from Kelce and admitted to having a fondness for her as well. Discussing Kelce’s dedication to his craft, Murphy highlighted how he went above and beyond by learning everyone’s lines and exhibiting great discipline on set. He emphasized Kelce’s charm and leadership qualities, stating that it was an honor to work with him. When is Taylor Swift’s next show? Taylor Swift will make a highly anticipated appearance at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on October 18, 2024. This thrilling three-night engagement, which includes Gracie Abrams as the opening act, will continue until October 20. Following her performances in the U.S., Swift will travel to Canada in November, wrapping up the tour with her grand finale on December 8, 2024. #Taylor #Swift #Today #September #Show

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Hey howdy hey, welcome to another episode of Woody’s Round-Up! I happened to be in Disneyland last week and I rode The Incredicoaster for the first time! What is there even to say. It’s exhilarating and terrifying, in the best way. My legs were shaking when I disembarked and I was flailing a bit because I couldn’t see (having stowed my glasses away, and not in the bag compartment on the ride; the thing actually goes upside down, so bye bye glasses if I had), but it was totally worth it. Hearing other people’s screams while walking around Pixar Pier made me glow with pride. I survived that! And what do you know, I even met Mr. Incredible too when the ride was over! This latest round-up is definitely more tame but plenty incredible. Read on for more. Elemental on Disney+ Today is the day when you can revisit Element City on Disney+. The film will be available on DVD and blu-ray on September 26th. I cannot wait to be immersed in the vibrant world again. And as an extra special bonus, “Good Chemistry,” a behind the scenes documentary, is also included. The short “Carl’s Date” gets its streaming premiere today as well. If you’re on Instagram, enter the Disney Movie Insiders Elemental giveaway! But hurry, it ends on September 18th. Elemental performed exceptionally well at the box office despite a slow start, and its success in South Korea can be attributed to singer-actor D.O. of the k-pop boyband EXO. He even performed a cover of Lauv’s “Steal the show” from the soundtrack. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkjuhhLAsL8[/embed] He really is Elemental‘s biggest fan! I hope he gets to visit the studio and even get cast in a future movie. Disney 100 The studio’s centenary is officially on October 16 but it’s a yearlong celebration! In honor of the big occasion, an original Pete Docter sketch will be donated for the Make a Wish Foundation. For more, visit the Create 100 website. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmis0wnhjj8[/embed] Football Funday Toy Story and ESPN team up for the upcoming game of the Falcons vs. the Jaguars on October 1st. It will be broadcast live from Andy’s room. That’s right, it’s an animated version of the game! As I’m not a football fan, that’s the one I’ll be tuning in for. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_BNyFL6H8k[/embed] Fan art by https://twitter.com/VanillaCherie lovely art shared by Pixar on National Sisters Day! Last modified: November 5, 2023 #Steal #show #Upcoming #Pixar

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Optimus Prime and Megatron put up a fight, but in the end, the robots were no match for everyone’s favorite bio-exorcist. After an unusually close box office race, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” emerged victorious over newcomer “Transformers One” to retain the No. 1 spot for three consecutive weekends. The spooky Warner Bros. sequel added a strong $26 million from 4,172 theaters, bringing its tally to $225 million domestically and $329.7 million globally. Meanwhile, “Transformers One” kicked off behind expectations with $25 million from 3,978 venues. It’s a meager start for Paramount and Hasbro’s animated movie, which cost $75 million and was targeting a start of $30 million to $40 million. It only brought in $14 million internationally for a worldwide total of $39 million. Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson lead the voice cast of “Transformers One,” the franchise’s first theatrical animated film since 1986’s “The Transformers: The Movie.” That film was a box office disappointment, though its reputation among fans has improved over the years. “Transformers One,” an origin story directed by Josh Cooley (“Toy Story 4”) about the feuding Autobots and Decepticons, has received positive reviews and encouraging audience scores, so ticket sales could rebound in the coming weeks. Several post-pandemic animated films, including Pixar’s “Elemental” and Illumination’s “Migration,” ended up having the staying power to keep bringing in audiences in the months after their debuts. Yet “Transformers One” might face competition from “The Wild Robot,” an animated film that opens on Sept. 27. “This is a lukewarm opening for an animation adaptation in a live-action series,” says David A. Gross of movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. He believes it’s to be expected that initial revenues wouldn’t be anywhere near the live-action “Transformers” series, which have amassed $5.28 billion across seven films. “Industry expectations are high for a big series like this, but an animation adaptation is not going to hold all or even most its live-action audience,” Gross adds. “It’s too big a shift.” Another newcomer, Lionsgate’s “Never Let Go,” landed in fourth place with a disappointing $4.5 million from 2,667 venues in its debut. The Halle Berry-led survival thriller is the latest bleak single-digit start for Lionsgate after last weekend’s assassin thriller “The Killer’s Game” ($2.6 million debut) and a string of August releases, including “The Crow” reboot ($4.6 million debut), “1992” ($1.6 million debut) and “Borderlands” ($8.6 million debut). Reviews and audience scores have been mixed — “Never Let Go” holds a 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and “C+” CinemaScore — which doesn’t necessarily bode well for word-of-mouth on the $20 million-budgeted film. Also new to theaters is Demi Moore’s body-horror satire “The Substance,” which opened in sixth place with $3.1 million from 1,949 theaters. Coralie Fargeat (“Revenge”) directed the movie about an aging celebrity who takes a black market drug to recapture her youth. Mubi is releasing “The Substance,” which premiered at Cannes and earned Moore some of the best reviews of her career. Elsewhere on box office charts, “Speak No Evil,” Universal and Blumhouse’s remake of the 2022 Danish thriller, slid to No. 3 with $5.9 million from 3,375 theaters. That’s a 48% decline from its opening, which is solid for the horror genre. The pitch-black comedy of manners, starring James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis, has grossed $21.45 million in North America and $42 million worldwide to date. Disney and Marvel’s superhero sequel “Deadpool & Wolverine” rounded out the top five with $3.8 million from 2,450 locations in its ninth weekend of release. The R-rated film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has remained in the top three since it released in late July and has grossed a remarkable $627 million domestically and $1.317 billion globally to date. It’s the fifth-biggest domestic and seventh-largest global release in the MCU. It’s also the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. In limited release, A24’s dark comedy “A Different Man” grossed $56,126 from four screens in New York and Los Angeles — translating to $14,031 per location. Directed by Aaron Schimberg and co-starring Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson, the film follows an aspiring actor who undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his face. Sort of like “The Substance,” this extreme method of betterment doesn’t necessarily make everything better. “A Different Man” will expand again on Sept. 27 and continue to slowly roll out in North American through the fall. Overall, domestic revenues are 11.9% behind the same point in 2023 and 25.7% behind 2019. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has been the lone breakout of September, with Tim Burton’s film accounting for around 47% of domestic revenue for the otherwise sleepy month, according to Comscore. “The marketplace is in dire need of a boost,” says senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “Fortunately, October is on track to deliver interesting [films, such as] ‘Joker: Folie À Deux,’ ‘Saturday Night’ and ‘Anora.'” #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice #Beats #Transformers #Box #Office #Upset

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© Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei AnimationEpisode 1120 continues to set the stakes higher and higher as we build towards what must (or might?) be the series' grand finale. This is a continuation of Sabo's escape from the Mary Geoise. Well, Sabo and Vivi and Wapol I suppose—but it is mostly about Sabo and is from Sabo's point of view. I have to admit I found this section rather compelling. I tend to not care for Sabo or maybe it would be more accurate to say I'm rather neutral on him as a character. I appreciate what he means and represents to Luffy—and his relationship with Ace too—but as a rule, I don't leap out of my seat to see him get solo stories. I tend to prefer when he is paired with a character to create more interest (in my case, Koala or especially Robin). Nevertheless, this all worked really well for me. Sabo being wounded and on the run made for a tense exfiltration/escape narrative. Despite his powers and skill set, he wasn't in a much better position than either Vivi or Wapol—and their attempts to dodge patrols and stow away on vessels was a nice, grounded story for a change. It's a tension we seldom see these days given the sheer power scale on display by a whole host of main cast members. On the other end of the spectrum, we got some harrowing sequences with the Five Elders and Imu. Imu's entire shtick is ominous and the room with the butterflies is eerie in any palette. The introduction of Imu as a persona on the throne of the world government wielding weapons from bygone eras is part of why I get the sense we are heading toward a conclusion for the series. Perhaps there is more after this but it's hard to imagine who or what that might be at this stage. Rating: One Piece is currently streaming on Crunchyroll. 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Episode 1120 #Episode #Piece

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Damiano Damiani captured the reality of the Mafia life in Italy in numerous films. While other directors might have made crime movies, often they stuck to the safety of a movie studio backlot. Damiani went to the heart of the Mafia by shooting in Sicily, the home of the Cosa Nostra. This is a harsh and dangerous island where people who displease the local crime chieftains vanish or just get shot in the streets. Radiance had already given us Cosa Nostra – Franco Nero In Three Mafia Tales that had three stories about the organized crime syndicate directed by Damiani. A Man On His Knees returns Damiani to Palermo, Sicily with a man who goes straight only to find himself in the crosshairs of a mobster hitman. Nino Peralta (A Pistol For Ringo‘s Giuliano Gemma) is doing his best to avoid the criminal life after getting out of prison. He was one of the best car thieves in Sicily. When he was busted by the cops, they didn’t find his stolen loot. His wife and children suffered for a bit, but after his release he used the hidden cash to buy a coffee kiosk next to a busy street. He’s able to provide his family a better life. But this all comes crashing down one morning when his pal Colicchia (Cinema Paradiso‘s Tano Cimarosa) swears a mobster hitman is looking for Nino. What could he have done to upset any of the crime families? He tracks down a few low-level connections to see if his past crimes haven’t come back to haunt him. When the cops visit his neighborhood, they check out a warehouse across the street. Nino is brought over to identify a murdered body. He also sees a storage unit where a kidnapped person was kept. Nino had no clue about the kidnapping when he brought coffee over to the warehouse over the last month. Colicchia gives him the news that the hitmen have been hired as revenge for the kidnapping. Nino is one of the people that have contracts on their heads. He uses the potential hitman (The Pyjama Girl Case‘s Michele Placido) as a way to communicate to those who want him dead. He’s willing to go to any extreme to not vanish from his family again. But will there be any hope in this violent city for Nino to survive? A Man On His Knees is an exceptional mobster film for so many reasons. The first is avoiding the cliche of Nino being a criminal who is drawn back into a life of crime by a “Godfather” for one last heist. The mobsters don’t want him back. They just want him dead. The hits of the other people on the list shows how efficient the hitmen are in completing the contracts. The clock is ticking for Nino as he scrambles around Palermo. Getting to see this mysterious and dangerous city is another reason to watch. Eleonora Giorgi (Dario Argento’s Inferno) emotionally gets into the wife who suffered while her husband was behind bars and now fears being potential widow. Michele Placido complicates his hitman so it’s not just another cold-blooded guy with a gun. Tano Cimarosa is perfectly cast as Nino’s friend. This is my favorite Giuliano Gemma performance. Whether being a caring dad or descending into the underworld of Palermo, Gemma is magnetic on the screen as he hustles to stay alive. We get an overwhelming sense of how dangerous Palermo can be as no one appears safe on the streets. A Man On His Knees is the best introduction to the work of Damiano Damiani. The Video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The 1080p transfer is taken off a 4K restoration of the original camera negative. You’ll get the details of life in Palermo. The Audio is Italian LPCM mono. The mix lets you hear what’s lurking in the dangerous neighborhoods. The movie is subtitled in English. Alberto Pezzotta (23:44) is an interview of the author of Regia Damiano Damiani. He gets into the time when the director made A Man On His Knees. He discusses how the rise of television in the ’80s shrunk the Italian cinema as audiences stayed home. This led to genre directors having issues getting budgets. This was one of Damaini’s last big films in Italy along with The Warning. The director did get an American film when he made Amityville II: The Possession for Dino De Laurentiis. Giuliano Gemma (8:45) recalls being happy to make a third mafia film with Damiani. He actually learned how to make drinks at the stand and has a great story about an unsuspecting customer. There’s another great tale about how a garbage collector watching the filming found himself in a major role. Gemma passed away in 2013. Tano Cimarosa (8:59) has the actor get a drink at a cafe and talk about his life. His dad was a puppeteer. While he worked other jobs he always acted and directed. Tano gets into his relationship with Damiani that led to him appearing in seven movies. The director let him improvise and change the script. He recounts working all over the world yet never America. He did make it to Canada. Mino Giarada (20:41) has the assistant director recount working with Damiani. He was a lawyer when he got involved in cinema. He later returned to law. When he met Damiani in Rome, the director wanted him to work on his films. He taught him a lot about filmmaking as they worked together for 10 years. We get a sense of the dangers of shooting in Sicily. Trailer (3:15) lets us know that this is about a man willing to do anything to keep his family safe from the Mafia. Booklet includes an essay by Roberto Curti. Radiance Films present A Man On His Knees. Directed by Damiano Damiani. Screenplay by Nicola Badalucco & Damiano Damiani. Starring Giuliano Gemma, Eleonora Giorgi, Michele Placido, Tano Cimarosa, Ettore Manni, Luciano Catenacci, Nello Pazzafini, Fabrizio Forte & Nazzareno Zamperla. Running Time: 110 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: September 24, 2024. #Man #Knees #Limited #Edition #Pulse