Two British movie trailers for you today, first a delightful one for PADDINGTON 2 a sequel to the 2014 hit movie which now boasts an exquisitely strong thespian cast with Hugh Bonneville, Hugh Grant, Imelda Staunton, Julie Walters, Brendan Gleeson, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent and Ben Whishaw! It is out November in Europe, January 2018 in USA.
PADDINGTONis happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor
Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community,
spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the
Julie Walters plays crazy aunt Lucy
perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, Paddington
spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks
upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's
up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.
'VICTORIA AND ABDUL' TRAILER
JUDI DENCH GOES ROYAL AGAIN
There is also a rather nice first trailer for September historical drama VICTORIA AND ABDUL in which Judi Dench plays one of English queens for the fourth or fifth time, methinks. Directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) it also stars Olivia Williams and Michael Gambon.
MOST UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later
years of Queen Victoria’s (Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul
Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in
the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favour with the
Judi Dench first played Victoria exactly 20 years ago in Mrs Brown
Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held
position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty
to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to
destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing
world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity.
First photos from some of the upcoming period set movies this Monday, starting with Stanley Tucci's FINAL PORTRAIT, a drama which he wrote and also directed, out in cinemas this August in UK and Germany. Geoffrey Rush plays Swiss painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti who, back in Paris, 1964, bumps into his old friend, the American critic, James Lord (Armie Hammer), and begs that he sits for a portrait because he has an interesting face. It'll just take a couple of days in his studio. Lord is flattered by the request and as the days go by and turn into weeks and weeks seemingly with no end in sight he realises his entire life has been hijacked by this erratic genius. The portrait continues to ebb and flow. Veering between frustration and joy, Lord ultimately sees logic in the artist's chaotic mind and together we witness a genius complete one of his last masterpieces.
1ST 'KEEPERS' PHOTOS
GERARD BUTLER THRILLER First photos have also been released for Gerard Butler's thriller
KEEPERS inspired by the Flannan Isle mystery. A small relief boat
approaches the Isle, a tiny isolated island 20 miles off a rugged coast.
Its aim is to routinely replace the three lighthouse keepers, after 6
weeks alone manning the light. It nears the dock and none of the men
greet them. The winch is broken. A call. Nothing. Experienced keepers
Thomas, James and Donald have vanished. The lamps are clean and
refilled; the table is laid for dinner. There is an upturned chair. Two
sets of yellow oilskins are missing. The men were never found. Peter
Mullan also stars.
1ST 'GUERNSEY' PICS WITH
MICHIEL HUISMAN & LILY JAMES
Two photos with Michiel Huisman and Lily James from the big screen adaptation of GUERNSEY are also here. Directed by Mike Newell it is the film version of Annie Barrows' Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society that also stars Jessica Brown Findlay, Penelope Wilton, Glen Powell and Matthew Goode.
STORIES OF WORLD WAR 2 Lily James plays a writer who forms an unexpected bond with the
residents of Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II when she
decides to write a book about their experiences during the war.
If you thought The Viceroy's House will be the only period set movie we will watch this year with the story going on in India, you were wrong: here's another one! Ready to open up in cinemas in USA, Canada, Australia, India and UK July 21st is THE BLACK PRINCE, a movie based on the true story of the last King of Punjab, one of the most powerful and
prosperous Kingdoms of the 19th century before it was ruthlessly annexed by Britain!
THE BLACK PRINCE is a story of Queen Victoria (Amanda Root) and the
Last King of Punjab, Maharajah Duleep Singh (Satinder Sartaaj). His
character as it evolves, torn between two cultures and facing constant
dilemmas as a result. His relationship with Queen Victoria will be the
most impactful relationship in the film, the Queen representing the
English culture he was drawn into. The Black Prince begins a lifelong
struggle to regain his Kingdom. It takes him on an extraordinary journey
across the world.
THE TRAGIC MAHARAJAH
Produced by Brillstein Entertainment (12 Years A Slave), THE BLACK PRINCE, was written and directed by Kavi Raz carefully capturing the tragic, yet fascinating true story and legacy of Maharajah Duleep Singh, providing a visual narrative of one of India’s most noble kings, and his fragile relationship with, Queen Victoria, who was Godmother to his children. Jason Flemyng also stars as Dr. Login, his foster parent!
DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON The
King,
Maharajah
Duleep
Singh,
was
placed
on
the
throne
at
the
age
of
five
only
to
be
robbed
of
his
throne
by
a
bloody
treason
at
the
hands
of
trusted
courtiers.
He
was
then
torn
from
his
mother
andtaken
to
England
by
the
British
at
age
fifteen.
While
in
England,
he
was
introduced
to
Queen
Victoria,
who
took
an
immediate
liking
to
him,
calling
him THE BLACK PRINCE.
He
was
indoctrinated
into
Christianity
and baptised,
changing
his
life
forever! Maharajah
Duleep
Singh
died
in
1893
at
the
age
of
55
years,
a
lonely
pauper
in
a
hotel
in
Paris! The movie will also mention the historically significant and
priceless Kohinoor diamond, which was purportedly
gifted by a young 13
year old Maharajah to Queen Victoria in a ceremony held in 1850, at
Buckingham Palace, London. His life story filled with faith later on
inspired India's fight for independence!
It is a very slow weekend, people, and the only thing I have for you today are the first cast photos and a trailer for the third season of SyFy's popular science fiction adventure action television series DARK MATTER which starts its third run this summer with thirteen new episodes beginning Friday June 9th! Based on the graphic novel of the same the series has been a hit with the audience from the first season bringing back the feel of a team spirit among the space ship crew members seen before in cult Firefly series.
THE ALL OUT WAR IS ON! Following the second season finale that saw the crew of The Raza
spaceship scattered and presumed dead after a huge explosion at a space
station where they were investigating an intergalactic peace summit
sabotage (and some of them even trying to start one), DARK MATTER’s third season opens a compelling new chapter of
the spellbinding series! As you can see from the trailer below they are
obviously all alive, escaping the clutches of death for who knows which
time exactly now. What we do know is that the galactic corporations are
very ready for an all out war after the attack on their summit and that now they have a crowned Zairon emperor among them. Will that make them behave more classy? Will their android develop its human side even more? We shall wait and see.
We are having a French menu for the end of the working week, first up the new movie from Marion Cotillard FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON which has just got its first posters and trailer! To be released in France at the end of July, this romantic drama is a big screen adaptation of a novel by Milena Agus.
Two new period set series of epic proportions today! 'Deadline' reports that Amazon will be the latest to try and put legendary Egyptian queen CLEOPATRA on the small screens as they have put into development a series with Black Sails team. Written by Robert Levine, it is described as a revisionist take on one of history’s most misunderstood women, The Godfather in Ancient Egypt. After nearly losing her life in a bloody coup, Cleopatra must use her natural wit and political genius to take back her throne and restore honour to her family and kingdom. None of the Cleopatra projects, both TV and the movie ones, we've announced in recent years, has reached the production stage, sadly.
'THE LEOPARD' TV SERIES
ON ITALIAN RISORGIMENTO After we fell in love last season with Medici: Masters of Florence
(which starts shooting its second season this September but withoutRichard Madden), we might be getting new English language period set
series produced in Italy as Indiana Production is looking to turn
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel THE LEOPARD into mini series.
They're currently searching for partners in Cannes for a rich and lavish
epic series that chronicles the changes in Sicilian life and society
during the 19th century unification of Italy known as the Risorgimento.
Translated into more than 40 languages, it was turned into a classic
movie with Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster, which was
so lavishly opulent that it got an Oscar nomination for costume design.
ELISABETH MOSS TO PLAY TYPHOID MARY FOR BBC AMERICA
BBC America is to produce a small screen adaptation of Mary Beth Keane's novel FEVER into a period set mini series starring Elisabeth Moss! It tells the story of the first known healthy carrier of typhoid fever who became known as “Typhoid Mary” as she spread typhoid across the burgeoning metropolis of early twentieth century New York.
DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON
Typhoid Mary was an immigrant in turn of the century New York, she
was stubborn and in fierce denial of any wrongdoing until her death
where she lived out her days imprisoned on an island just off of the
Bronx! She carried typhoid in herself spreading the deadly disease
around her since she worked as a cook, but she was herself immune to it.
She was forcibly isolated a few times, and in the end spent over three decades
locked up. In every new family and kitchen she worked in as a cook
outbreaks of typhoid would follow. She directly killed three people and contaminated more than 20.
'LORE' HORROR SERIES
CATHAL PENDRED TO LEAD
Staying to the grim genre today, Amazon has, meanwhile, found their lead star for new horror fantasy anthology series LORE. Former UFC fighter Cathal Pendred will lead the series which recounts true stories of frightening and paranormal occurrences. As 'Deadline' reports, he will play Michael Cleary, a real-life character from Irish folklore in the horror anthology series. A cooper who makes barrels for a local creamery, Michael is married to the younger Bridget. When Bridget starts making more money than he does, and starts questioning his decisions, Michael is convinced that his loving wife has been replaced by a changeling — and he will do anything to prove himself right.
New roles for our fave British boys today, beginning with our dearest Colin Morgan who is, after Merlin, Humans and The Living and the Dead series, moving over to the big screen in WAITING FOR YOU in which he stars next to Fanny Ardant!
The story revolves around Paul (Colin Morgan) whose father lies
dying, delirious and in pain, hinting at something he lost, something
taken from him by his former commanding officer in the British Army.
After he passes away, the angry and grieving Paul heads to the South of
France where he meets the mysterious Madeleine (Fanny Ardant) and
unearths an extra ordinary secret that has lain hidden for several
decades. The movie has already played on some of the European festivals. Colin is also set to star in THE HAPPY PRINCE Oscar Wilde biopic next to Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Everett and Tom Wilkinson. He will play writer Alfred Douglas who was Wilde's lover.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE JOINS
OWEN WILSON IN 'MIRACLE WORKERS' TV COMEDY
In a totally opposite move, after a rather unsuccessful movie career after his Harry Plopper gig, Daniel Radcliffe is transferring over to the small screens! TBS has ordered MIRACLE WORKERS comedy series with Owen Wilson.
With seven episodes planned for next year, MIRACLE WORKERS, as
'Deadline' reports, will be a heaven set workplace comedy based on Simon
Rich’s book What in God’s Name. Daniel Radcliffe will play
Craig, a low level angel responsible for handling all of humanity’s
prayers, and Owen Wilson will play Craig’s boss, God, who has pretty
much checked out to focus on his favorite hobbies. To prevent Earth’s
destruction, Craig must achieve his most impossible miracle to date.
Period set news for you this Monday, people, starting with the first clip from the second season of VICTORIA epic series released today to celebrate Victoria's Day. It shows a scene from the christening of Victoria's (Jenna Coleman) and prince Albert's (Tom Hughes) first child that was born at the end of the first season.
The second season will see her expand her family with new babies (she
had nine kids in total) while trying to balance family life with her
royal duties in mid 1800's. Prince Albert is, meanwhile, still
struggling to find a suitable role for himself in their marriage and in
the kingdom. VICTORIA will also face the Irish potato blight of 1845,
where more than a million people died and people hated her calling her
the famine queen cause she donated just 2000 pounds. When it returns this Autumn, with eight episodes plus a
two hour Christmas special, VICTORIA will also have some new actors in
the cast, Diana Rigg as the new Duchess at court and Victoria's new
Mistress of the Robes and Martin Compston to name two. David Oakes
returns as everybody's favourite charmer Prince Earnest, Albert's
brother.
FIRST 'OPHELIA' PHOTO
DAISY RIDLEY AS HAMLET'S LOVER
The first photo, of Daisy Ridley in the title role, has been published for OPHELIA movie, which, set in the 14th century but spoken in a contemporary voice, is a dynamic re-imagining of the Shakespeare’s tragedy that tells the untold story of her tragic romance with the prince. She is the Queen’s (Naomi Watts) most trusted lady-in-waiting. Beautiful and intelligent, she soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet (George MacKay) and a forbidden love blossoms. Clive Owen is Claudius, Tom Felton is Laertes and Devon Terrell Horatio.
Just two more weeks before cinemas around the world open their doors and screens for the first solo movie outing of legendary WONDER WOMAN and today we'll feed you with everything you need to know about the film before you rush to the theatres! First reviews and impressions have been over whelmingly positive, calling the movie absolutely stunning, brilliant and amazing, funny and massively entertaining! The predictions for the opening weekend earnings range from $80 to well over $100 million and it remains to be seen what success WONDER WOMAN will score given the rather modest marketing she got from the studio compared to their other superhero flicks.
PRINCESS OF AMAZONS Diana, princess of the Amazons, played by Gal Gadot, was raised on a sheltered island and
trained to be an unconquerable fighter. After an American pilot Steve
Trevor (played by Chris Pine) crashes on the island and tells her about a
massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home to try to stop the war convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to
end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers... and her true
destiny!
THE LADIES OF THEMYSCIRA
As you know Connie Nielsen will
be her mother, Amazonian Queen Hippolita, a revolutionary leader, who struggles to
shelter her only daughter from the outside world. Robin Wright is
Diana's aunt Antiope, who trains Wonder Woman to fight preparing her to deal with
that world. Lisa Loven Kongsli is Antiope's lieutenant, Menalippe! This trio of immortals is responsible for both raising and training
Diana, the only child born on the mythical isle, but they don’t always
agree!
THE BOYS AND THE VILLAINS
Diana's love interest Steve Trevor is played by Chris Pine, he is captain from the United States Army Air Service, roguish, cynical realist who's seen the awful brutish nature of modern civilization, but he is a worldly, charming guy! Danny Huston plays General Erich Ludendorff, an ambitious and iron fisted general of the German Army during World War I, while
David Thewlis is Ares: The treacherous son of Zeus (who is also Diana's father) and god of War, who masquerades as Sir Patrick Morgan an advocate for peace on the war council, but seeks to destroy humanity. Elena Anaya is Doctor Maru or Doctor Poison: A mad scientist who is associated with General Ludendorff and specializes in chemistry such as poisons. Lucy Davis plays Etta Candy, Steve Trevor's comical but loyal and friendly secretary who befriends Diana.Ewen Bremner is Charlie: A heavy-drinking sharpshooter, who’s already had a tour of duty and has post-traumatic stress disorder, an ally of Steve Trevor.
WONDERLICIOUS MOVIE FACTS After she finishes her solo adventure this June, Diana of Themyscira
will also lead the cast later this November in DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE
movie! The
movie will have three settings with the second part of the movie set in
War World One London, and the
third part in modern days. Before Gal Gadot got the role, Élodie Yung
and Olga Kurylenko have also auditioned! Gorgeous super model Doutzen
Kroes will appear in the movie as the Amazon Venelia while writer and
director Zack Snyder has a cameo as a WW1 soldier! Pop star Sia will
sing the lead song for the movie To Be Human! The soundatrack will also have Sia's solo's version of I Forgive You, an epic ballad she sung last year with French star Maitre Jims titled Je Te Pardonne and you can hear it above. Director Patty Jenkins has
announced a possibility of a sequel!
While some of you are enjoying the new television version of The Handmaid's Tale, another of Margaret Atwood's small screen adaptations ALIAS GRACE has just got the first trailer and first photos for the mini series that will launch September 25th at Netflix and CBC in Canada.
A 19TH CENTURY MYSTERY The six part mini series follows Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) a
poor, young Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Upper Canada who,
along with stable hand James McDermott (Kerr Logan), was
convicted of the brutal
murders of their employer and his housekeeper in 1843. James was hanged
while Grace was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1843. Grace claimed to
have had no memory of the murder yet the facts were irrefutable. A
decade after, Dr. Simon Jordan tried to help Grace recall her past.
Grace was one of the
most enigmatic and notorious women of her time for her supposed role in
the sensational double murder, but was eventually exonerated after 30
years in jail. Her conviction was controversial and sparked much debate
about whether Grace was actually involved in the murder or merely an
unwitting accessory. Zachary Levi is also in the cast alongside Reign's Michael Therriault and Edward Holcroft as the doctor! Atwood has a cameo in the series!
'MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS'
DAN STEVENS PICS AS DICKENS
There are also the first pictures from another period set project, this time a movie starring Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens! THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS also stars Christopher Plummer as “Scrooge” and Jonathan Pryce as Dickens’ father.
THE BIRTH OF CHRISTMAS CAROL October 1843. Charles Dickens was broke and distressed. Despite early
success, his last three books had failed. Rejected by his publishers,
he set out to write and self-publish a book he hoped would keep his
family afloat. This is the story of the six fever-pitched weeks in which
Dickens created A Christmas Carol, the masterpiece that changed the
holiday into the merry family event we know today.
