BLUFF CITY LAW -- "Pilot" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Caitlin McGee as Sydney Strait, Michael Luwoye as Anthony Little, Jimmy Smits as Elijah Strait -- (Photo by: Jake Giles Netter/NBC)
I’m so old that I remember when Jimmy Smits was also carving out a movie career (anyone remember Old Gringo?) during is L.A. Law days. He’s seen his share of films, but television (The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Sons of Anarchy) has been his bread and butter. The Memphis based Bluff City Law has a ton of promise, and if you’re into character driven procedurals, give the pilot a sample taste!
On episode 103 of CinemAddicts, Anderson Cowan and I cover Running With the Devil, Monos, It: Chapter Two, Ad Astra, and Villains. Most importantly, Cowan’s feature directing debut Groupers is also discussed!
Brad Pitt stars in “Ad Astra”. Credit: Francois Duhamel. Copyright Twentieth Century Fox
Ad Astra, which roughly translates as “through hardships to the stars” is the type of serious-minded sci fi epic that is rare in an era of movies glutted with superhero franchises or Star Wars and Star Trekreboots.
Maika Monroe, Bill Skarsgård, Kyra Sedgwick, Jeffrey Donovan in "Villains" (Alter)
Combining outlandish comedy humor and thriller elements can often make for an uneven blend, but “Villains” succeeds thanks to winning performances and inspired direction from Dan Berk and Robert Olsen. It all starts off with a dream of Florida . . .
Representing your hometown can put a personal spin on one’s work, and Charm City Devils are celebrating Baltimore with their fourth studio release 1904. The EP debuts November 22 via Broken World Records.
Fritz Lang is best known for his classic German films Metropolis and M. The Tiger of Eschnapur and The Indian Tomb, both made after his exile from Hollywood, will be playing at New York’s Film Forum on September 27!
STUMPTOWN - STUMPTOWN'S Michael Ealy, Camryn Manheim, Tantoo Cardinal, Adrian Martinez and Cole Sibus, joined by executive producers Jason Richman and Matt Olmstead enjoy Feast Portland, the largest food and drink festival in the Northwest. The cast and EPs, joined by executive producer and author of the "Stumptown" graphic novels, Greg Rucka, participate on a panel moderated by KATU's Wesleigh Ogle at Rose City Comic-Con in Portland, Oregon in anticipation of the series premiere on Wednesday, September 25. (ABC/Allyson Riggs)
MICHAEL EALY, CAMRYN MANHEIM
There’s a couple of reasons why I’m pretty excited to check out Stumptown. For one, it’s based on a Greg Rucka graphic novel, and Rucka is one of the most acclaimed writers in the comic book industry. Secondly, the cast has its share of talented actors, and Emmy winning actress Camryn Manheim (The Practice, Ghost Whisperer) discusses why she’s excited about being a part of Stumptown.
Alexandra Daddario in "Can You Keep A Secret?" (Vertical Entertainment)
Based on a Sophie Kinsella novel, Can You Keep A Secret? is a romantic comedy that should appeal to enthusiasts of the genre. There’s more layers behind that romcom sheen, and if you dig a bit of improvisation in your cinematic cocktail, Can You Keep A Secret? may also be up your alley.
The Colombia set thriller/epic Monos is my favorite film of this year, and during my interview with Julianne Nicholson she briefly discussed her #1 movie (Sydney Pollack’s Tootsie, which stars Dustin Hoffman). Take a listen below!
Freaksis a sci-fi thriller that doesn’t depend on a $100 million budget to deliver the goods. Directed and penned by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, the indie managed to attract an A-list cast, and the pair talked about the key to unlocking that important element in the video below!
