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Monday, December 14, 2015

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

NBC's 'Xena' Reboot Lands 'Lost' Writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach

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Lucy Lawless Stars In The Show XenaNBC's upcoming reboot of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is continuing to add creative power behind-the-scenes, with the news that an original writer from "Lost" has joined the series.

Deadline reports that Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who won an Emmy for "Lost" and also currently serves as co-exec producer of CW series "The 100," has joined the reboot, which he will executive produce alongside original "Xena" creators Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert. In addition to his experience with network shows, Grillo-Marxuach is also the creator of graphic novel series "The Middleman," which was made into a short-lived TV show starring "Parks and Rec" alum Natalie Morales.

Grillo-Marxuach -- who also penned a lengthy, fascinating history of the original "Lost" writers room earlier this year -- confirmed his involvement in the "Xena" project on Twitter, posting a photo of himself with a Xena doll. He noted that he's expecting a daughter soon, and wants to give his unborn child some great female role models -- but also cautions that the project still needs the official go-ahead from NBC brass.

As for just which badass heroine will lead the new "Xena," it's still unknown if original titular star Lucy Lawless will be involved with this iteration. Lawless had previously expressed interest in starring in a "Xena" reboot, and NBC reportedly does want the actress to take part in the series in some way, but it's unclear yet just if or how that will happen. Our fingers are crossed that we get to see her wield her giant sword (and don that killer leather skirt) again soon.

[via: Deadline, Javier Grillo-Marxuach]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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Jennifer Lawrence Says 'It's Too Soon' for 'Hunger Games' Prequels

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There's been a lot of speculation lately that we may one day see prequels to the recently-wrapped "Hunger Games" series. And while by design they wouldn't include Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen, the actress still thinks that the planned spinoff films may not be the best idea.

Lawrence touched on that subject during a recent interview with Variety at the premiere of her new film "Joy," where she chatted with the trade about the possibility of "Hunger Games" prequels. The actress confirmed what we suspected -- Katniss definitely won't be in them -- and made it clear that she's not on #TeamSpinoff.

"I wouldn't be involved," Lawrence told Variety. "I think it's too soon. They've got to let the body get cold, in my opinion."

We side with Lawrence on this, especially since "Mockingjay -- Part 2" only just premiered a few weeks ago. The idea of "Hunger Games" prequels and spinoffs has been floated since at least the time that "Mockingjay -- Part 1" premiered, when director Francis Lawrence discussed the possibility in relation to another soon-to-be-revived franchise, "Harry Potter." But "Potter" prequel "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" waited five years to revisit J.K. Rowling's wizarding world ("Deathly Hallows Part 2" bowed in 2011, and "Beasts" is due out in 2016); a similar delay would seem appropriate for Suzanne Collins's series, too.

Nothing is set in stone just yet, so these prequels may never materialize after all. (And based on the ho-hum box office for "Mockingjay -- Part 2," it may not be financially beneficial for studio Lionsgate to return to the well, either.) But we want to warn filmmakers to be careful with the "Games"'s legacy -- after all, we all saw what greed did to the citizens of the Capitol.

[via: Variety]

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What's New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: December 14-20

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At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation"
The mission is now possible -- you can take home "Rogue Nation," aka "MI:5," on DVD and Blu-ray on December 15. The Blu-ray Combo Pack with Digital HD is packed with cast and crew interviews and a commentary by Tom Cruise and director/screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. You also get an inside look at the movie's stunts, including the Airbus scene, the underwater sequence, and the Moroccan car and motorcycle chase.

"Ted 2"
The sequel to the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time is also out on disc this week. Both the "Ted 2" Blu-ray and DVD include an "Unrated" edition with never-before-seen footage that was too "rude" for the cinema. The Blu-ray features deleted scenes, a gag reel, cameo buddies, and a giant opening dance number. Both the Blu-ray and DVD feature a couple of featurettes and commentary.

Check out this pretty hilarious and enlightening exclusive clip from the making of the movie:'Ted 2' Exclusive - Talk to the Teddy Bear
"He Named Me Malala"
A lot of blockbusters are coming out this month, but don't forget the quieter films, like this documentary about Malala Yousafzai out December 15. Malala was severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan. The then 15-year-old and her father were targeted by the Taliban for advocating for education for girls; Malala's activism led to her being named the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

"Fantastic Four"
The 2015 "Fantastic Four" reboot is out on DVD/Blu-ray this week, so you can take home Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, The Human Torch, and The Thing. Special features include "Powering Up: Superpowers of the Fantastic Four," "The Quantum Gates,' "Planet Zero," the score, and concept art.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

"Pan"Joe Wright's Peter Pan origin story -- starring young Levi Miller as Pan, Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily, and Garrett Hedlund as Hook -- has its Digital HD release on December 15. The Blu-rays/DVDs come out December 22.

"The Visit"
This found documentary-style thriller from M. Night Shyamalan and Jason Blum has its Digital release December 15, before the DVD/Blu-ray/On Demand drop on January 5. The Blu-ray and DVD will offer a bunch of bonus features included deleted scenes and an alternate ending. The Digital version apparently just has the theatrical ending. The story follows a family visit that takes a terrifying turn when two siblings learn who Grandma and Grandpa really are.

"Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension"
The sixth and final piece in the "Paranormal Activity" puzzle has its Digital HD release this week, way ahead of the disc drop on January 12. Critics were not too kind to this one, but if you're collecting the series or want to watch them front to back, here's your look at the end.

New on Netflix

"F is for Family"
"F is for Family" is one of four Netflix original series dropping on December 18. PC Principal would hate this one, but that may be why you love it. The animated sitcom, co-created by comedian Bill Burr, debuts its first six episodes on December 18. It's a "family comedy" set in the pre-PC world of 1970s "when you could smack your kid, smoke inside and bring a gun to the airport." Ah, the good ole days! Bill Burr voices the Murphy family patriarch, with Laura Dern as his wife, Justin Long as his eldest son, Debi Derryberry as his daughter, and Haley Reinhart as his young son.

Check out the very un-PC Season 1 trailer (warning: explicit language):
"Making a Murderer"
This real-life thriller, another Netflix original, was filmed over a 10-year period. It follows the story of Steven Avery, a DNA exoneree who, while in the midst of exposing corruption in local law enforcement, finds himself the prime suspect in a grisly new crime. As Netflix teased it, "Set in America's heartland, the series takes viewers inside a high-stakes criminal case where reputation is everything and things are never as they appear."

"Glitter Force": Season 1 (Netflix Original)
"Mike Epps: Don't Take It Personal" (Netflix Original)
Netflix is also offering two other very different originals this week: A stand-up comedy special from Mike Epps; and an extremely pink English-version of Japan's "Pretty Cure," following five preteen girls who learn that they are a legendary superhero squad known as the Glitter Force and must defend Earth from evil fairytale villains. Yep, it's a kids' show, but you can still pour some Fruity Pebbles and stream it on a Saturday morning, if you're so inclined.

TV Worth Watching

"Fargo" (Monday on FX at 10 p.m.)Maybe all Coen Bros. movies should inspire new TV shows. Season 2 of this instant classic series stars Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Jesse Plemons, Jean Smart, and Ted Danson, and the fun is ending with Episode 10, "Palindrome," on December 14. Check out why it just got some Golden Globe Award nominations and it has the highest percentage of added viewers throughout the week.

"The Expanse" (Monday on Syfy at 10 p.m.)
Syfy is launching its most ambitious series ever with the 10-episode space drama "The Expanse." Episode 1 starts December 14, with Episode 2 following the next night, Tuesday, December 15. The series will then air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. for the rest of the season. The drama is based on the best-selling book series set 200 years in the future after mankind has colonized space. The case of a missing young woman leads a hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain across the solar system to uncover the greatest conspiracy in human history.

"The Soup" (Friday on E! at 10 p.m.)
This is it. E! is ending "The Soup" after 22 seasons on Friday, December 18. The series started as "Talk Soup" with host Greg Kinnear, and was renamed and spruced up in 2004 when Joel McHale took over. Clear some time on Friday night to bid the show adieu.

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See Cute Photos From 'Game of Thrones' Season 6's Wrap Party

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And now their watch has ended? "Game of Thrones" Season 6 premieres in April 2016, and it looks like the cast is just about done filming the 10 episodes for HBO. A wrap party/Christmas party was held over the weekend at the Ulster Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and it looks like it was a grand old time. (Belfast is a main shooting location for GoT.)

Watchers on the Wall shared pics from the party, along with some end-of-season casting spoilers, which you can check out over here, if you'd like. Here are some wrap party photos of stars Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Liam Cunningham (Davos), and more:

#GoT6 Wrap Party was great, and thanks to @sophiet and @maisie_williams for the selfie! #gameofthrones #Belfast

A photo posted by Donavan Gallagher (@dvon316) on

Meeting Liam Cunningham! Such a gentleman!

A photo posted by Sheila (@shughes09) on



It has to be a good sign for their characters if they're at the wrap party, no?

Meanwhile, the first official Season 6 poster and teaser both featured Jon Snow (Kit Harington), so we know JS will be a major player in the 2016 season. HBO's first new Season 6 footage -- hidden in a network promo -- showed Cersei, Tommen, Ramsay, and Dany.

Are you excited for GoT to hurry back and tell us what happens next?

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'Jumanji' Cast: Where Are They Now?

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Has it really been 20 years since "Jumanji" opened in theaters? The movie about a magical board game opened on December 15, 1995 and was the 10th highest-grossing movie that year. Many of us have discovered it on TV and DVD, so it always feels new, even if the special effects are a tad dated. (And which is probably why *grumble* they're remaking it. The new version will be out in 2016.)

A lot has changed for the cast in 20 years: Some are now bigger names than ever, some really aren't acting at all anymore and, tragically, star Robin Williams is no longer with us.jumanji cast where are they now

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The First 'Star Trek Beyond' Trailer Is a Comedy Set to the Beastie Boys

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Listen, all of y'all, it's a sabotage. "Star Trek Beyond" is meant to debut a trailer during "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" screenings, but Paramount just dropped the first trailer online -- and the tone is reeeaaalllly different than what we were expecting. The "Star Trek" movies are always a lot of fun, but this is pure comedy, with joke after joke set to the Beastie Boys's "Sabotage."

See what you think:


When they're done rocking out we'll probably get a darker trailer, since it looks like some of this exact footage has more serious context. Like, Zoe Saldana's Uhura was probably screaming about something important, not to turn the music down.

Justin Lin ("Fast & Furious") directed this sequel to "Star Trek Into Darkness," with a script co-written by the genius Simon Pegg, aka Scotty. (Hence all the jokes?) "Beyond" stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana , Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, John Cho, and Idris Elba. It opens July 22, 2016.

Thoughts? Maybe Kirk pulled a Star-Lord and made his own tape called "Awesome Mix Vol. 3"...

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Check Out the 2016 Critics' Choice Awards Nominations

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Now we're talking! Forget the Golden Globe Awards and its category randomness. ("The Martian" is a musical or comedy? OK then.) The 21st annual Critics' Choice Awards nominations were just revealed -- including both TV and film categories -- and they added a lot of new players to the game. Some welcome players, too. (Nice to see you, "The Leftovers" and "UnREAL.") And maybe some not-so welcome players. (Tom Hardy gets an action star nod for "Mad Max: Fury Road"? He was barely in it.)

The winners will be named January 17 and the ceremony will air live on A&E, hosted by T.J. Miller.

Here are the film and TV nominees (via Gold Derby):


MOVIES

Best Picture

"The Big Short"
"Bridge of Spies"
"Brooklyn"
"Carol"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Martian"
"The Revenant"
"Room"
"Sicario"
"Spotlight"

Best Director
Todd Haynes, "Carol"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "The Revenant"
Tom McCarthy, "Spotlight"
George Miller, "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Ridley Scott, "The Martian"
Steven Spielberg, "Bridge of Spies"

Best Actor
Bryan Cranston, "Trumbo"
Matt Damon, "The Martian"
Johnny Depp, "Black Mass"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Revenant"
Michael Fassbender, "Steve Jobs"
Eddie Redmayne, "The Danish Girl"

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, "Carol"
Brie Larson, "Room"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Joy"
Charlotte Rampling, "45 Years"
Saoirse Ronan, "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron, "Mad Max: Fury Road"

Best Supporting Actor
Paul Dano, "Love and Mercy"
Tom Hardy, "The Revenant"
Mark Ruffalo, "Spotlight"
Mark Rylance, "Bridge of Spies"
Michael Shannon, "99 Homes"
Sylvester Stallone, "Creed"

Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Jason Leigh, "The Hateful Eight"
Rooney Mara, "Carol"
Rachel McAdams, "Spotlight"
Helen Mirren, "Trumbo"
Alicia Vikander, "The Danish Girl"
Kate Winslet, "Steve Jobs"

Best Original Screenplay
"Bridge of Spies"
"Ex Machina"
"The Hateful Eight"
"Inside Out"
"Spotlight"

Best Adapted Screenplay
"The Big Short"
"Brooklyn"
"The Martian"
"Room"
"Steve Jobs"

Best Animated Feature
"Anomalisa"
"The Good Dinosaur"
"Inside Out"
"The Peanuts Movie"
"Shaun the Sheep"

Best Foreign Language Film
"The Assassin"
"Goodnight Mommy"
"Mustang"
"The Second Mother"
"Son of Saul"

Best Documentary Feature
"Amy"
"Cartel Land"
"Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief"
"He Named Me Malala"
"The Look of Silence"
"Where to Invade Next"

Best Cinematography
"Carol"
"The Hateful Eight"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Martian"
"The Revenant"
"Sicario"

Best Costume Design
"Brooklyn"
"Carol"
"Cinderella"
"The Danish Girl"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"

Best Film Editing
"The Big Short"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Martian"
"The Revenant"
"Spotlight"

Best Hair & Makeup
"Black Mass"
"Carol"
"The Danish Girl"
"The Hateful Eight"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Revenant"

Best Production Design
"Bridge of Spies"
"Brooklyn"
"Carol"
"The Danish Girl"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Martian"

Best Song
"Fifty Shades of Grey" - "Love Me Like You Do"
"Furious 7" - "See You Again"
"The Hunting Ground" - "Til it Happens to You"
"Love and Mercy" - "One Kind of Love"
"Spectre" - "Writing's on the Wall"
"Youth" - "Simple Song #3"

Best Score
"Carol"
"The Hateful Eight"
"The Revenant"
"Sicario"
"Spotlight"

Best Visual Effects
"Ex Machina"
"Jurassic World"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Martian"
"The Revenant"
"The Walk"

Best Ensemble
"The Big Short"
"The Hateful Eight"
"Spotlight"
"Straight Outta Compton"
"Trumbo"

Best Young Actor/Actress
Abraham Attah, "Beasts of No Nation"
R.J. Cyler, "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl"
Shameik Moore, "Dope"
Milo Parker, "Mr. Holmes"
Jacob Tremblay, "Room"

Best Action Movie
"Furious 7"
"Jurassic World"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"
"Sicario"

Best Actor in an Action Movie
Daniel Craig, "Spectre"
Tom Cruise, "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"
Tom Hardy, "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Chris Pratt, "Jurassic Park"
Paul Rudd, "Ant-Man"

Best Actress in an Action Movie
Emily Blunt, "Sicario"
Rebecca Ferguson, "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"
Bryce Dallas Howard, "Jurassic World"
Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2"
Charlize Theron, "Mad Max: Fury Road"

Best Comedy
"The Big Short"
"Inside Out"
"Joy"
"Sisters"
"Spy"
"Trainwreck"

Best Actor in a Comedy
Christian Bale, "The Big Short"
Steve Carell, "The Big Short"
Robert De Niro, "The Intern"
Bill Hader, "Trainwreck"
Jason Statham, "Spy"

Best Actress in a Comedy
Tina Fey, "Sisters"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Joy"
Melissa McCarthy, "Spy"
Amy Schumer, "Trainwreck"
Lily Tomlin, "Grandma"

Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie
"Ex Machina"
"It Follows"
"Jurassic World"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"The Martian"


TELEVISION

Best Comedy Series
"Black-ish"
"Catastrophe"
"Jane the Virgin"
"Master of None"
"The Last Man on Earth"
"Transparent"
"You're the Worst"

Best Comedy Actor
Anthony Anderson, "Black-ish"
Aziz Ansari, "Master of None"
Will Forte, "The Last Man on Earth"
Randall Park, "Fresh Off the Boat"
Fred Savage, "The Grinder"
Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"

Best Comedy Actress
Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
Aya Cash, "You're the Worst"
Wendi McClendon-Covey, "The Goldbergs"
Gina Rodriguez, "Jane the Virgin"
Tracee Ellis Ross, "Black-ish"
Constance Wu, "Fresh Off the Boat"

Best Comedy Supporting Actor
Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Jaime Camil, "Jane the Virgin"
Jay Duplass, "Transparent"
Neil Flynn, "The Middle"
Keegan-Michael Key, "Playing House"
Mel Rodriguez, "Getting On"

Best Comedy Supporting Actress
Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
Kether Donohue, "You're the Worst"
Allison Janney, "Mom"
Judith Light, "Transparent"
Niecy Nash, "Getting On"
Eden Sher, "The Middle"

Best Comedy Guest Actor/Actress
Ellen Burstyn, "Mom"
Anjelica Huston, "Transparent"
Cherry Jones, "Transparent"
Jenifer Lewis, "Black-ish"
Timothy Olyphant, "The Grinder"
John Slattery, "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp"

Best Drama Series
"Empire"
"Mr. Robot"
"Penny Dreadful"
"Rectify"
"The Knick"
"The Leftovers"
"UnREAL"

Best Drama Actor
Hugh Dancy, "Hannibal"
Rami Malek, "Mr. Robot"
Clive Owen, "The Knick"
Liev Schreiber, "Ray Donovan"
Justin Theroux, "The Leftovers"
Aden Young, "Rectify"

Best Drama Actress
Shiri Appleby, "UnREAL"
Carrie Coon, "The Leftovers"
Viola Davis, "How to Get Away with Murder"
Eva Green, "Penny Dreadful"
Taraji P. Henson, "Empire"
Krysten Ritter, "Jessica Jones"

Best Drama Supporting Actor
Clayne Crawford, "Rectify"
Christopher Eccleston, "The Leftovers"
Andre Holland, "The Knick"
Jonathan Jackson, "Nashville"
Rufus Sewell, "The Man in the High Castle"
Christian Slater, "Mr. Robot"

Best Drama Supporting Actress
Ann Dowd, "The Leftovers"
Regina King, "The Leftovers"
Helen McCrory, "Penny Dreadful"
Hayden Panettiere, "Nashville"
Maura Tierney, "The Affair"
Constance Zimmer, "UnREAL"

Best Drama Guest Actor/Actress
Richard Armitage, "Hannibal"
Justin Kirk, "Manhattan"
Patti LuPone, "Penny Dreadful"
Margo Martindale, "The Good Wife"
Marisa Tomei, "Empire"
B.D. Wong, "Mr. Robot"

Best Movie/Miniseries
"Childhood's End"
"Fargo"
"Luther"
"Saints and Strangers"
"Show Me a Hero"
"The Wiz Live!"

Best Movie/Mini Actor
Wes Bentley, "American Horror Story: Hotel"
Martin Clunes, "Arthur and George"
Idris Elba, "Luther"
Oscar Isaac, "Show Me a Hero"
Vincent Kartheiser, "Saints and Strangers"
Patrick Wilson, "Fargo"

Best Movie/Mini Actress
Kathy Bates, "American Horror Story: Hotel"
Kirsten Dunst, "Fargo"
Sarah Hay, "Flesh and Bone"
Alyvia Alyn Lind, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors"
Rachel McAdams, "True Detective"
Shanice Williams, "The Wiz Live!"

Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actor
David Alan Grier, "The Wiz Live!"
Ne-Yo, "The Wiz Live!"
Nick Offerman, "Fargo"
Jesse Plemons, "Fargo"
Raoul Trujillo, "Saints and Strangers"
Bokeem Woodbine, "Fargo"

Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actress
Mary J. Blige, "The Wiz Live!"
Laura Haddock, "Luther"
Cristin Milioti, "Fargo"
Sarah Paulson, "American Horror Story: Hotel"
Winona Ryder, "Show Me a Hero"
Jean Smart, "Fargo"

Best Animated Series
"Bob's Burgers"
"BoJack Horseman"
"South Park"
"Star Wars Rebels"
"The Simpsons"

Best Reality-Competition Series
"Chopped"
"Face Off"
"MasterChef Junior"
"Survivor"
"The Amazing Race"
"The Voice"

Best Structured Reality Show
"Antiques Roadshow"
"Inside the Actors Studio"
"MythBusters"
"Project Greenlight"
"Shark Tank"
"Undercover Boss"

Best Unstructured Reality Show
"Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
"Cops"
"Deadliest Catch"
"Intervention"
"Naked and Afraid"
"Pawn Stars"

Best Reality Host
Ted Allen, "Chopped"
Phil Keoghan, "The Amazing Race"
James Lipton, "Inside the Actors Studio"
Jane Lynch, "Hollywood Game Night"
Jeff Probst, "Survivor"
Gordon Ramsay, "Hell's Kitchen"

Best Talk Show
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver"
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
"The Graham Norton Show"
"The Late Late Show with James Corden"
"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"


What do you think of this latest round of nominations? Who got snubbed this time, in your eyes?

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Johnny Depp's 18 Most Eccentric Characters, Ranked

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Johnny Depp has been making movies for more than 30 years. The Oscar nominee has had an unusual career, one marked by a persistent rejection of mainstream fare and conventional roles. But he somehow managed to act his way to the top of the A-list, playing a drunken, squinting pirate inspired by Keith Richards, for goodness sake.

He's become so identified with "quirky" roles that it's now a cliché, especially when audiences see he's in yet another Tim Burton film. Case in point: he told the LA Times in 2009 that his usual prep in finding a character includes painting a watercolor "to help him find the face and personality."

In honor of his growing list of idiosyncratic characters, we've ranked his performances from least eccentric to the most wigged-out, behatted, and over-the-top of his career.johnny depp eccentric characters ranked

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'Mike and Molly' to End After Shortened Season 6, Stars Thank Fans for Support

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Mike and Molly are ready to say goodbye -- or at least CBS is ready to say goodbye to "Mike & Mollly." Actor Billy Gardell (Mike Biggs) thanked the comedy's loyal fans while confirming that Season 6 would be the end:



The show was originally slated to have 22 episodes but that was shortened to 13. Rondi Reed (Peggy Biggs) posted a Facebook message on the final season, and the (failed) attempts to find a new life for the show elsewhere:

"Before you hear it elsewhere (and some already have) this is the Final and 6th Season of MIKE & MOLLY on CBS. It is also a shortened season (13 episodes) after the announced full renewal of 22 episodes back in March by the network. We are done taping as of January 27th 2016 and I am not sure exactly when/if the episodes will all be aired. The network has it's reasons, and I will not get into a debate, discussion, or campaign to get them to change their minds. Other venues were explored by WB and Bonanza Productions (Chuck Lorre) after CBS announced their intentions, but did not turn up a future for our show. It is a fact and we have known for a few weeks. I remain extremely grateful to have been a part of this and to have worked with a fabulous bunch of folks over the years. I have learned a lot about many things, including the Business we call Show. Also grateful for all the fans and for the personal support I have received over the (almost) 6 seasons. Stewart Talent has guided me every step of the way on this journey and for that I am also forever grateful."

It's not too surprising to see "Mike & Molly" end, since Melissa McCarthy's (Molly) career has skyrocketed in the six years since the show premiered in 2010. Ratings-wise, the show wasn't doing that bad -- the Season 5 finale had 7.75 million viewers and a 1.9/6 rating/share in the 18-49 demo. But these decisions aren't always just about ratings.

Are you disappointed to see the end of "Mike & Molly"?
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Ron Howard Shares 'Hopeful' Update on 'Arrested Development' Season 5

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We keep waiting for "Arrested Development" Season 5 to pop out and surprise us like Martin Mull's Gene Parmesan, but ... not yet. Last we heard -- from co-executive producer Brian Grazer -- they were aiming to start in early 2016 with new episodes premiering a few months after that. But he said that back in June and we're ready for an update. Cue Ron Howard, who is now promoting his new movie "In the Heart of the Sea," but took some time to answer Qs about the return of the Bluth family.

"Well, Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of the show, is working with writers now," Howard told Good Morning America (via Deadline), "Netflix is behind it, 20th Century Fox is behind it." However, the same issue that affected Season 4 is still a factor in Season 5 -- the actors all have other commitments, and getting them together for "Arrested" is like herding cats. Or seals.


As Howard explained, "It's hopeful. What has happened is that the cast has become so freakin' in demand and busy. Everyone wants to do it. Fans want it. I would be saddened if we didn't achieve it. I'm the announcer and the narrator, and I have to get back to that microphone."

So the real update is that Mitch is currently working with the writers, and Brian Grazer's early 2016 timeline may still be in play. But that doesn't change the actors' schedules -- including Tony Hale, who co-stars on HBO's "Veep," but would need a decent showcase in "Arrested" Season 5, since Buster Bluth got himself arrested for the murder of Liza Minnelli's Lucille Austero (her?) at the end of Season 4. They have to find a way to free Tony's schedule so he can give us more Buster in the 2016 season ... if there is a 2016 season. Don't make a huge mistake, give us more!

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13 Reasons Seth Cohen From 'The O.C.' Will Always Be the Nerd of Your Dreams

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Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) was "The O.C.'s" resident geek, but that didn't keep us from having a giant crush on him. He was smart, witty, sensitive, and was from a rich family. What more could you possibly want?

These are the 13 reasons Seth Cohen will always be the comic book nerd of our dreams.

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Will Ferrell Returns to 'SNL' With Brilliant Bush Cold Open

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Good ole Dubya! Is it wrong to want George W. Bush back in the headlines just for Will Ferrell's "Saturday Night Live" impressions? Bush is not, in fact, running for president again (that's not quite how our system works), but Will Ferrell opened SNL's December 12 episode to rapturous applause when appearing at the podium to announce his candidacy:

"The field of Republicans is so messed up I figure it makes you miss me, doesn't it? And that's saying a lot."

He then ripped into each GOP candidate (the Ben Carson one is classic), including Bush's own brother Jeb. "Poor Jeb. You gotta admit it's a pretty good plot twist that I turned out to be the smart one. Of course, I wish he would've asked me about the exclamation point on the end of his name. Look, I don't like the taste of broccoli, but it doesn't get any tastier if you call it 'Broccoli!'"

True. And you know he's right about the leprechauns. Those internment camps just backfired and leprechaun relations have never recovered since. "That's why they are so hard to find."


Please bring him back for a debate with Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton and Larry David's Bernie Sanders. The sketch doesn't need to match the current political outlook -- we get enough of that on the news -- it just needs to be entertaining, and this beautiful mess is bliss.

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The 'Independence Day: Resurgence' Trailer Has Everything But Will Smith

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They're baaaaack. Twenty years after Will Smith owned July 4th, the aliens -- and most of the 1996 cast -- have returned in "Independence Day: Resurgence." Studio 20th Century Fox dropped the first ID4 sequel trailer on December 13, featuring bigger, badder alien technology and new lead Liam Hemsworth, along with OGs Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, and Vivica A. Fox.

Just let this rousing trailer speech prepare you for the battle ahead:

"Today you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation. And should you win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice we will not go quietly into the night, we will not finish without a fight. We're going to live on. We're going to survive. Today we celebrate our ..." cue title!Independence Day Resurgence - Trailer No. 1
Looks pretty badass, but where's Will Smith? At the end of the trailer, you may have noticed the promo for "The War of 1996." That website includes the film world's history and reveals the fate of Will Smith's character, Col. Steven Hiller. As IGN pointed out, if you head to 2007 on the site's timeline, there's a "World Mourns Col Hillier" headline with this update:

"While test piloting the ESD's first alien hybrid fighter, an unknown malfunction causes the untimely death of Col. Hiller. Hiller's valor in the War of '96 made him a beloved global icon whose selfless assault against the alien mothership lead directly to the enemy's defeat. He is survived by his wife Jasmine and his son Dylan."

Which is a convenient way of explaining Will Smith's absence (did he want too much money?) and also potentially giving his cinematic son a story boost.

"Independence Day: Resurgence" is scheduled for release just before July 4, on June 24, 2016.

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'Star Wars': 15 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About the Original Trilogy

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We're now only days away from the release of a little film called "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The hype is real, but there's not much fans can do but wait patiently until opening night finally arrives.

Perhaps we can help pass the time a little. We've put together a list of 15 interesting facts about the original trilogy that even hardcore Star Wars geeks might not know. Whether they involve the troubled development of these films or some of the oddball minor characters that appear onscreen, these tidbits reveal just how unusual life is in a galaxy far, far away.

"Star Wars" (1977)
1. Peter Cushing (above) might have been intimidating as Grand Moff Tarkin, but only because his feet were never shown in the frame. Cushing found his boots uncomfortable and insisted on wearing slippers instead.

2. Lucas pitched the project to United Artists, Universal and even Disney before finding a home at 20th Century Fox. Disney could have saved themselves $4 billion if they had just locked up the rights to the franchise from the beginning.

3. The first film underwent extensive re-shoots and edits. According to the magazine Star Wars Insider, only 30-40% of the footage found in the final version was present in the original cut.
4. Harrison Ford's one complaint about flying the Millennium Falcon? The cockpit switches. They didn't stay in place when he flipped them, so, according to EW, the production designers took this note to heart when designing the new cockpit for Han Solo's iconic ship, and they made sure quality switches were installed. During his first day inside the cockpit, Ford tested out each switch to make sure they stayed in place when flipped. (And they did.)

5. Marvel began releasing a comic book adaptation of the film in May 1977, which eventually transitioned into showcasing the ongoing adventures of Luke, Han, Leia and the rest. The comic lasted many years and is largely credited with saving Marvel from financial ruin during a period of slumping sales.

"The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
6. Rather than being an intricately designed puppet, the original plan was for Yoda to be played by a monkey wearing a mask.

7. The reptilian bounty hunter Bossk wears a spacesuit that was actually borrowed from a 1966 episode of "Doctor Who" called "The Tenth Planet."

8. Fellow bounty hunter IG-88 (pictured) was also built from spare parts. His head is actually one of the drink dispensers seen in the Mos Eisley Cantina from the original film.
9. Fox's then-President Alan Ladd, Jr. was forced to resign after the studio discovered that he didn't secure merchandising and sequel rights from Lucas. In retaliation, Lucas brought "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to rival studio Paramount.

10. One of the many extras seen fleeing Cloud City is carrying what looks to be an ice cream maker. This minor character has become a source of fascination with fans, and he's acquired a backstory of his own as a Rebel agent safeguarding an important data cache.

"Return of the Jedi" (1983)
11. Many fans know that this sequel was going to be called "Revenge of the Jedi" until Lucas changed his mind at the last minute. But did you know "Star Trek II's" subtitle was changed from "The Revenge of Khan" to "The Wrath of Khan" to avoid confusing the two franchises?

12. Three of the guards on Jabba's sail barge are named Klaatu, Barada and Nikto. Those names are an homage to classic sci-fi film "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

13. This sequel was codenamed "Blue Harvest" during production to help maintain secrecy. The title was an homage to "Red Harvest," a film that heavily inspired Akira Kurosawa's samurai epic "Yojimbo," which itself heavily inspired the Star Wars films.
14. Lucas originally had darker plans in mind for the ending of this sequel. Earlier script drafts featured Luke claiming the mantle of Darth Vader for himself, and Han and the Rebel troops perishing on Endor.

15. Both David Lynch and David Cronenberg were approached to direct this sequel. Lynch wound up directing the adaptation of Frank Herbert's "Dune" instead -- which clearly was the best call.
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Why Did 'In the Heart of the Sea' Sink at the Box Office?

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On paper, "In the Heart of the Sea" may have looked like a no-brainer: an IMAX-scale adventure epic, made by an A-list director and starring the guy who plays Thor. Plus, it had the weekend all to itself, with no new wide-release competition.

So why did "Sea" sink like a stone at the multiplex? Ron Howard's $100 million film opened in second place, behind the four-week-old "Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2," earning just $11.0 million, according to Sunday estimates. That's at the low end of what was predicted, though few expected it to do better than $15 million anyway.

Looking back, it should have been obvious why the whaling-ship saga would flounder, though there were also some late-breaking problems that the film's producers and distributors might not have anticipated. For instance:
1. The Director
Howard's had an enviable career, filled with critical and commercial smashes. But aside from the two movies he adapted from Dan Brown's best-sellers ("The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons"), he hasn't directed a film that's grossed more than $62 million domestically in 14 years, since "A Beautiful Mind."

His last feature, car-racing drama, "Rush," grossed just $27 million here, though it cost just $38 million to make and ultimately earned a profit via overseas grosses. But with "Sea" costing a reported $100 million, Howard's recent track record doesn't seem to justify risking that big a budget on his movies.

2. The Star
Chris Hemsworth, of course, was the star of Howard's "Rush." That reteaming alone should have been enough to give the studio pause. In fact, there's no indication that Hemsworth is any kind of box office draw outside his Marvel movies and "Snow White and the Huntsman." When he has to carry a movie on his own, he's never made one that's grossed more than $45 million in North America. Again, that's not the kind of track record on which you risk a nine-figure budget.
3. The Studio
"Sea" is one of many ill-conceived projects Warner Bros. released this year, arguably one of the studio's worst in its history. There were several expensive, high-profile flops, including "Jupiter Ascending," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," and "Pan." (Not to mention cheaper bombs like "Hot Pursuit," "Entourage," and "Our Brand Is Crisis.") Warners only released two movies in 2015 ("Mad Max: Fury Road" and "San Andreas") that grossed more than $100 million in North America.

4. The Reviews
Critics tend to like Howard's movies; "Rush" actually earned rave reviews for both its human drama and its action sequences. But "Sea" has garnered only a 43 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. No doubt Warners was counting on better reviews than that for a Howard movie released at the height of awards season.

And good reviews are still important when it comes to persuading the older ticketbuyers who were the apparent target audience for "Sea." After all, exit polling found that 68 percent of those who saw the film this weekend were over 35 years old. And those viewers gave the movie a B+ at CinemaScore, which indicates only so-so word-of-mouth.
5. The Marketing
Howard is good with tales of adventure and people struggling in dire circumstances, from "Apollo 13" to "Rush." But it's hard to get anyone, even older viewers, interested in 19th-century all-male sailing adventures. (Even 2003's excellent "Master and Commander," an adaptation of a popular novel starring then-hot Russell Crowe, earned just $94 million in North America.) Warners' marketers touted "Sea" as being based on the true-life disaster that inspired Herman Melville to write "Moby-Dick," as if being the source of a book you were forced to read in high school but couldn't finish is a selling point. They also emphasized the whale over Hemsworth, missing the mark with his audience as well.

6. The Competition
"Sea" didn't have to compete against any other new wide releases this weekend, but it still had to face three holdovers that were apparently stronger than Warners anticipated. Besides "Mockingjay," there was Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur" (in third place with an estimated $10.5 million) and Warners' own "Creed," a rare 2015 hit for the studio that's doing better than anyone predicted. It was down just 32 percent this weekend to an estimated $10.1 million. (To date it's earned $79.3 million; by the end of the year, it could be Warners' third 2015 release to cross the $100 million mark.) The distance between first-place "Mockingjay" and fourth-place "Creed" was just $1.2 million, so the competition was very tight.
7. The Force
While "Sea" didn't have any new wide-release rivals this weekend, it does have one that hasn't even opened yet: next Friday's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Given the frenzied pre-sales for the film, it's possible that both advance ticket buyers and those who are waiting until December 18 simply weren't going to spend much money at all on this weekend's offerings. Indeed, the total sales at the multiplex for Friday through Sunday were just $75.1 million, down 23 percent from last weekend's already dismal numbers, making this 2015's second-worst weekend to date.

At least the prospect of all that "Star Wars" money means that sales for the final two weekends of the year should show an astronomical improvement over this "Sea"-sick session.
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