Monday, February 28, 2022

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON RUSSIAN EPIC TV SERIES JANISSARY WITH ILYA MALAKOV: A STORY OF HONOUR, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE SET IN THE LATE 17TH CENTURY

  JANISSARY EPIC SERIES  
TO LAUNCH TOMMOROW!
Janissary will start in Russia tomorrow
Now I cannot tell you if the plan is still on given the current situation over in dear old Matushka Rossiya, but according to official schedule new historical series JANISSARY ((Русский пленник or Янычар) should start on the First Channel of Russia's national broadcaster tomorrow, February 28th with the action set in the dark and blood thirsty Ottoman empire within lavish new 12 episodes! Beside our dearest Ilya Malakov (whom you remember from their historical movie Kolovrat or Furious) in the lead role, the cast also includes actors from Serbia, Georgia, Ethiopia, Latvia, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, thus making it a panslavic and international project with more than 150 actors involved in total. The shooting started back in the summer of 2019 so it was a very long production process. The story is set at the end of the15th and the beginning of the 16th century so beside the infamous Turkish sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (Serbian actor Ivan Bosiljcic), the series will also include Russian tzars Fedor Ivanovich (Vladimir Koshevoi) and Boris Godunov (Artur Ivanov). Samvel Tadevosian, controversial Serbian actress Milena Radulovic, Arina Zharkova, Richard Lepers also star. Ivan Shurhovetzkiy, who helmed Kolovrat, is also directing this one. A whole city was built in Turkey for the needs of the production and some of the mass scenes include more than 2000 people on screen. It it interesting that the sets were done by Tims Production which also did famous Magnificent Century, Turkey's most popular historical series ever. The series has already been sold to ex Yugoslav countries, Turkey, and some of the Middle East and North African countries.
THE STORY OF THE PRISONER 
 Alekha (Ilya Malakov) is an honest, strong, freedom loving Cossack from the end of the 16th century, who decided to fulfill his father's last will. As a result, he goes to a foreign land in order to bow to the Virgin Mary. By the will of fate, he finds himself in the palace of the Sultan Mehmed (Serbian star Ivan Bosiljcic) of the Ottoman Empire. Here the Russian is taken prisoner and sent to become one of the evil Jannisaries (sultan's elite squads made from the children and prisoners who are taken from the enslaved regions of the empire and then trained and forced to turn against their own families and people). In an instant, not only plans, but also the life of the protagonist goes downhill. The man tries to fight fate, but the circumstances are stronger. As a result, he becomes an Ottoman prisoner who must serve the hated sultan. Here Alekha will face many trials and hardships. But during the whole journey, he does not give up on the faith that one day he will return home - to his native land. In parallel, he finds the love of his life. But even here difficult tests await him. But for a real Cossack there are no barriers when he loves. He is ready to give his life for his beloved, because in a true Cossack, love for a woman is equated with love for the Motherland. Check out the trailer for the series below and tell us what you think:

Sunday, February 27, 2022

SEE STRIKINGLY BEAUTIFUL TRAILER FOR THE ROAD DANCE AWARD WINNING WW1 SET MOVIE DRAMA WITH WILL FLETCHER! 19TH CENTURY SET IRISH SERIES THE LIBERTIES TO AIR AT SERIESMANIA

 THE ROAD DANCE TRAILER 
BASED ON TRUE EVENTS
After Benediction yesterday, I have another beauty for you today coming from the isles: THE ROAD DANCE WW1 drama based on the book by John MacKay. The audience award winner of last year's Edinburgh Film
The Road Dance will open in cinemas May 20th
Festival, follows life in the Scottish Hebrides which is harsh - the edge of the world some call it. For the beautiful Kirsty (Hermione Corfield), her love for gorgeous Murdo (Will Fletcher whom we shall watch in Rings of Power series) and their shared dreams of America promise escape from the
The movie won Audience award at Edinburgh Film Festival
scrape of the land and a stifled destiny. But the Great War changes all when Murdo is conscripted. The night before the young men go off to battle, tragedy is set in motion as villagers swirl and sup at a “road dance.” The movie will hit UK and Irish cinemas May 20th! Mark Gatiss also stars.
 
  THE LIBERTIES SERIES 
WILL ARRIVE TO SERIESMANIA
Speaking of the isles, check out the teaser for new period set Irish series THE LIBERTIES that will compete at this year's SeriesMania.  It is set in 1815: Following the failed uprising in 1798 and subsequent Act of Union, tensions have risen considerably between the Irish and their British
Boxer Dan Donnelly is one of the characters in the series
counterparts. The Catholic Emancipation movement is gathering momentum and a young Daniel O’Connell is making his presence felt. THE LIBERTIES tells the interconnected stories of three siblings from this little-seen period. They are William, Mary and Pondersbury Kelly. Each is part of the landed
Pierce Ryan, Gary Duggan, Brian Durnin are the creators
gentry class – the previous generation of their family having converted to Protestantism to hold onto their land and title.The legendary life of boxer Dan Donelly and his links with the Kellys, provide the spine of Season 1. His unlikely partnership with William leads to success that, again and again,
The series is set in the early 19th century Dublin
neither man can hold onto for very long. We are also introduced to Peg Plunkett, the most infamous madam of the era. In a male-dominated society, William’s sister, Mary, becomes gradually affiliated with Peg’s business in an effort to wrestle back some autonomy and power for herself.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

SEE GORGEOUS BENEDICTION PERIOD SET DRAMA TRAILER WITH JACK LOWDEN AS WW1 POET SIEGFRIED SASSOON HAVING A ROMANCE WITH JEREMY IRVINE!

 BENEDICTION MOVIE TRAILER 
STARRING JACK LOWDEN
Benediction should be out this spring
We've waited for a long time, but the wait was worth it as first trailer for BENE- DICTION really is a treat to see: out this spring it will see our dearest Jack Lowden playing a complex man who survived the horrors of fighting in the First World War, Siegfried Sassoon, a soldier decorated for his bravery on the battlefield, who became a vocal critic of the government’s continuation of the war when he returned from service. Legendary still today for his poetry inspired by his experiences on the Western Front, he was adored by both members of the aristocracy as well as stars of London’s literary and
Our dearest Jack Lowden takes the lead role in Benediction
theatre scene. He embarked on affairs with several high-profile men as he attempted to come to terms with his homosexuality, whilst at the same time,
The movie was directed by Terence Davies
broken by the horrors of war, his life’s journey became a quest for salvation. Directed by Terence Davies it also stars Julian Sands, Jeremy Irvine, Gemma Jones, Ben Daniels and Simon Russell Beale.

Friday, February 25, 2022

GRANT GUSTIN AND HIS DOG WILL MELT YOUR HEARTS IN RESCUED BY RUBY MOVIE TRAILER FROM NETFLIX! SEE TRAILER FOR PACHINKO TV SERIES ADAPTATION AT APPLE TV PLUS

 RESCUED BY RUBY MOVIE 
TRAILER WITH GRANT GUSTIN
Grant will be saved by Ruby March 17th
While Channing Tatum is currently scoring success at the boxoffice with his Dog, Grant Gustin has his own pooch project: RESCUED BY RUBY will arrive to Netflix March 17th with him as state trooper Dan who dreams of joining the K-9 Search & Rescue team, but no one will give him the chance. Shelter dog Ruby dreams of having a home, but is running out of hope. Her original owner surrendered her to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals because of her generally “unmanageable” personality. The cute pup was quickly
Scott Wolf also stars in the film beside Grant Gustin
adopted and then returned – five times. When fate brings Dan and Ruby together, it’s their unshakable bond that helps them face their toughest challenge yet. Scott Wolf also stars!

  
   PACHINKO TRAILER   
FOR NEW APPLE TV SERIES
Preparing for March 25th premiere, Apple TV has released trailer for their PACHINKO series, a sweeping drama told across three languages – Korean, Japanese, and English. Epic in scope and intimate in tone, the story
Pachinko will arrive this March to Apple TV Plus
begins with a forbidden love and crescendos into a saga that journeys between Korea, Japan and America to tell an unforgettable story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning. The series is based on the acclaimed New York Times bestselling novel by the same name and is created by Soo Hugh.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

MATTHEW MACFADYEN, KEELEY HAWES TO LEAD STONEHOUSE TV SERIES AT ITV AS A MARRIED COUPLE! SEE CHANNEL 5 THE HOLIDAY SERIES TRAILER WITH JILL HALFPENNY!

  STONEHOUSE ITV SERIES  
KEELEY HAWES AND MATTHEW MACFADYEN TO LEAD
Reallife couple Keeley Hawes and Matthew MacFadyen will lead together new ITV series STONEHOUSE! The three part series will tell the life and times of disgraced Labour minister John Stonehouse. It will depict
Keeley Hawes and Matthew McFadyen will lead the cast
how Stonehouse, a high flying member of Harold Wilson’s (Kevin R McNally) Government, vanished from the beach of a large luxury hotel in Florida in November 1974, leaving a neatly folded pile of clothes as he swam
Exclusive first look at Matthew as Stonehouse
into the sea, intent on faking his own death. He apparently wanted to start a new life in Australia under a fake name. Keeley will play his wife Barbara with Emer Heatley as his mistress Sheila Buckley!
   THE HOLIDAY SERIES   
STARTS MARCH AT CHANNEL 5
Channel 5 has released a trailer for their new four part series THE HOLIDAY based on T.M. Logan's book which arrives March 1st in a four day event! The story follows what appears to be a perfect family holiday until
The Holiday will air next week from Tuesday till Friday
Kate (Jill Halfpenny) discovers that her husband (Owen McDonnell) is having an affair with one of her best friends. One of these women is willing to sacrifice years of friendship and destroy her family. But which one? As Kate
Jill Halfpenny is leading the cast of The Holiday
closes in on the truth in the stifling Mediterranean heat, she realises too late that the stakes are far higher than she ever imagined! The cast also includes Lara McDonnell and Aidan McCann as the couple's children, Liv
First look at the whole cast of The Holiday four part series
Mjones and Siobhan Hewlett as Kate's friends and Aidan McArdle and Andrew Macklin as their respective husbands. Also on the cast are Molly McCann, Cat Simmons and Shaun O’Callaghan Wade as Jake.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

SF TUESDAY: SEE NEW CHARACTER POSTERS FOR PARAMOUNT'S SF TV SERIES HALO WITH PABLO SCHREIBER, NATASCHA MCELHONE! NETFLIX' BLACK CRAB POST APOCALYPTIC MOVIE TRAILER SENDS NOOMI RAPACE, JAKOB OFTEBRO TO FROZEN ARCHIPELAGO

   HALO SF TV SERIES   
LANDS CHARACTER POSTERS
Halo will launch March 24th this Spring
There is a number of big epic series arriving this year, and among them is Paramount + TV series adaptation of famous HALO video game which has just got a set of character posters after we got the new trailer and a launch date from March 24th a few weeks ago! Pablo Schreiber leads the cast as Master Chief, the Spartan in the middle of an epic 26th century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as The Covenant, who happens to be humanity’s best weapon against the invading alien race, as he was enhanced an trained for one purpose: to win this war. At least that is what Natascha McElhone’s Dr. Halsey says in the trailer. The cast also includes Jen Taylor as Cortana, Bokeem Woodbine, Shabana Azmi, Natasha Culzac, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kennedy, a rather unrecognisable Charlie Murphy, Danny Sapani, alongside Ryan McParland, Burn Gorman and Fiona O’Shaughnessy. Watch below the trailer which opens to the brilliant and haunting new sf version of In the Air Tonight by Phill Collins. The series was created by Steven Kane and Kyle Killen and shot over in Hungary. It was originally set over at Showtime before it moved to Paramount Plus streamer. Jonathan Liebesman who helmed Shanara Chronicles and Otto Bathurst who is also helming Billy the Kid series over at Epix are directing the episodes.
 
 
  BLACK CRAB TRAILER  
FOR NETFLIX SF MOVIE
The mission starts March 18th at Netflix
Speaking of sf genre, check out the first trailer and poster for post apocalyptic sf movie BLACK CRAB which lands at Netflix March 18th coming from Sweden and starring Scandinavian stars Noomi Rapace and Jakob Oftebro and directed by Adam Berg who also worked on the scenario for the movie.  Set in a post apocalyptic world, this Swedish action thriller follows six soldiers sent on a covert mission to transport a mysterious package across a frozen archipelago without knowing what dangers lie ahead or who - if anyone - they can trust.But for speed skater turned soldier Caroline Edh, the mission is about something else entirely as she needs to save her daughter as well.
 

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

HUMANS ARE MUTATING INTO ANIMALS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM MOVIE WITH ROMAIN DURIS! SEE 1ST PICS FROM SPANISH EPIC FANTASY MEDIEVAL MOVIE ADVENTURE IRATI!

  ROMAIN DURIS TO LEAD  
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM MOVIE
While you are currently enjoying him in Eiffel in cinemas around Europe and while he is shooting the wildly expensive new movie adaptation of
Romain Duris will lead the new movie
The Three Musketeers, French superstar Romain Duris has another new project in his sleeve: according to Cineuropa, he will star in THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (Le Règne animal ) for director Thomas Cailley. The story of the film, which starts production in May and will also star Adèle Exarchopoulos, takes place two years after humans first start showing signs of mutating into animals. Society is adapting to, taking charge of and trying to treat these "creatures" in specialised facilities. But one such convoy gets caught up in an accident and the Creatures disappear into the countryside!

   IRATI EPIC MOVIE  
FIRST PHOTOS ARE HERE
Speaking of European projects, a bit south from France, down in Spain they are working on another massive historical project and we have first
Irati will arrive sometime this year
photos and posters from it. IRATI will be shown this May at Marche du Film at Cannes Film Festival coming from director Paul Urkijo Alijo who also penned the story himself beside sitting behind the helm! The story of this dark historical fantasy, which features battles, mythological creatures and fantasy elements in a mix of Basque legend and historical events, is set in 8th century A.D. A group of Christian and Muslim warriors journey through the forests of the Pyrenees in an attempt to recover the treasure that Charlemagne lost at the Battle of Roncevaux pass. Irati, an enigmatic young
The movie is currently in post production process
girl from the area, will guide them in an ancient and pagan mythological world where everything that has a name exists. The movie shot in Basque language is
The movie was offered to buyers over at Berlin Movie Market
expected to be released in Spain sometime this year. IRATI stars Eneko Sagardoy, Edurne Azkarate, Elena Uriz and Itziar Ituño. Filmax owns the international rights and according to Variety, the movie was offered to buyers over in Berlin movie market.

Monday, February 21, 2022

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON VIKINGS: VALHALLA EPIC TV SERIES STARTING NEXT WEEK WITH LEO SUTER, SAM CORLETT, DAVID OAKES! SEE NEW CHARACTER POSTERS AND TRAILER

  VIKINGS: VALHALLA SERIES  
Vikings Valhalla starts February 25th
ARRIVES NEXT WEEK!
I have to warn you, people, to lock your daughters in right away as the Vikings are arriving next week, February 25th when VALHALLA epic TV series streams on Netflix with its first season and the second one has already been shot too as the whole series, coming from Tudors and Vikings creator Michael Hirst, has originally been ordered for 24 episodes which is four seasons. Our old friend Trevor Morris is scoring the music for the series which shot its first two seasons from October 2020 till November 2021!
Valhalla will have an eight episode first season
 
VIKINGS VALHALLA STORY Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, VALHALLA chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived — the legendary explorer Leif Erikson (Sam Corlett), his fiery and headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory. VIKINGS: VALHALLA, set over a hundred years after the end of the original Vikings series, is a new adventure that blends historical authenticity and drama with gritty, immersive action!
 
HARALD SIGURDSSON 
The great-grandson of Harald “Finehair,” Harald is a natural and charismatic leader who excels in spycraft. A Christian driven by the viking pursuit of glory, he prefers compromises when possible to avoid bloodshed. He’s taken with Freydis at first sight and the two grow close despite their opposing religious beliefs
 
LEIF ERIKSSON 
 Leif’s upbringing in Greenland makes him an outsider to the Danes, and his father’s violent legacy makes him a distrusted outsider. When he travels to Norway seeking vengeance for his sister, he hopes to earn the confidence of the vikings with his seamanship and warcraft and to step out of his father’s shadow for good.
 
FREYDIS ERIKSDOTTER 
 Unlike her brother, Leif, Freydis seems more than willing to embrace the darkness passed down by her father. A trained shieldmaiden, Freydis is one of the most formidable warriors in Norway. Her devotion to traditional beliefs is strengthened with a pilgrimage to Uppsala and a meeting with The Seer, but her faith puts her at odds with Harald.
 
WHO ELSE IS IN THE CAST?
The series that shows the end of the Viking Age, marked by Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, also stars our dearest David Oakes as Earl Godwin,
Vikings Valhalla comes from Michael Hirst of Tudors
the king's manipulative councilor, Laura Berlin as queen Emma of Normandy who wants to protect the country she loves, Bradley Freegard as
The series has already shot its second season last year
King Canute "the Great" who wants to create a great Northern Empire and is as adept in politics as he is in battle, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as
Emma of Normandy and David Oakes as Earl Godwin
Olaf "the Holy" Haraldsson the king of Norway who is Harald's very clever brother, Caroline Henderson as Jarl Haakon the black ruler of Kattegat,
Bradley Freegard is Danish king Canut the Great
Pollyanna McIntosh as Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark who is Canute's wife, Louis Davison as Prince Edmund, Bosco Hogan as King Æthelred the
Emma of Normandy and Earl Godwin in the series
Unready, gorgeous Gavin Drea plays treacherous and charismatic Eadric Streona the elderman of Mercia. and many others. Check out the glorious new
Gavin Drea is elderman Eadric Streona of Mercia
trailer coming from Netflix and tell us are you excited about the new series and will you watch it? Who is your favourite character?