Friday, 16 July 2021

Channel 4 invites viewers’ feedback in new series Complaints Welcome

Channel 4 has commissioned Rumpus Media to make Complaints Welcome (w/t), a new comedy entertainment series putting viewers' opinions at the heart of the show.

Comedians Tom Allen, Jessica Knappett and Munya Chawawa, will join forces to assemble a "Complaints Committee" of viewers with plenty to say about the television shows getting the nation talking each week. From daytime to documentaries, preschool to politics – no genre of TV is off-limits.

Munya Chawawa (in his first prime time series on Channel 4), Jessica Knappett (Taskmaster, The Inbetweeners Movie) and Tom Allen (Bake Off: The Professionals, Quizness) will be joined in the studio each week by guests from the world of telly as they playfully dissect the week's televisual complaints, looking for resolutions, and ultimately deciding whether the viewers' feedback will be upheld or rejected. The show will feature sketches, stunts and studio discussion covering all aspects of TV.

Tom Allen comments: "Jess, Munya and I will be putting TV on trial. If you've got an opinion on anything from the corsets in Bridgerton to a frown about Countdown, we want to hear from you. Complaints Welcome will be standing by to review the reviews viewing viewers viewed."

Complaints Welcome will air later this year on Channel 4.

Channel 4 have commissioned Flicker Productions to make a 1x60 film exploring social media, racism and football, fronted by Jermaine Jenas

There have been growing calls for social media companies to address online trolling after nearly 2,000 discriminatory abusive tweets targeted Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling in the 24 hours after the Euros final. For the last six months Jermaine Jenas has been tackling the issues head on, by confronting the people who hide behind their screens, interviewing Premier League footballers on the receiving end of the abuse and discussing his own personal experiences.

Jermaine Jenas says, "This film is incredibly important to me and something I've been working on for a while. there has been an ongoing conversation surrounding racism and football for as long as I can remember, and the reactions to the Euros has been heart-breaking. I've felt sick to my stomach reading the comments and chants and promise to make it my mission to help create positive change... @instagram @twitter @facebook and all the other social platforms out there, we have to hold these trolls accountable, we have to do better."

Friday, 9 July 2021

Baddiel and Skinner join Adam, Alex and Josh for a 90-minute Euro 2020 special of The Last Leg this Friday

After 55 years of hurt, could football finally be coming home?

Last Leg of the Euros with Baddiel and Skinner, a 90 minute extended episode of the multi award-winning The Last Leg, will probe that very question this Friday at 10pm. Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker will be joined live in the studio by none other than the Three Lions comedic heroes David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and legendary band The Lightning Seeds as they count down to the must see event of the year – the England v Italy Euro 2020 final.

With our enduring love affair for unofficial national anthem, Three Lions at an all-time high, the team will celebrate its 25th anniversary and ask whether Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds might need to pen a new song come Monday morning…

Comedian Tom Allen, former Tory Party co-chairwoman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and some surprise guests will also join the gang for an epic night of footballing fun, acerbic wit, unmatched satirical insight – and quite possibly, a monumental end of the show musical performance.

As ever, the hashtag #isitok will also play a key role in the night's proceedings.

Last Leg of the Euros with Baddiel & Skinner

Friday 9th July at 10pm on Channel 4



'Joy Womack: The White Swan' feature documentary on the prima ballerina releases on digital 19 July 2021

Experience the joy and pain of professional ballet with Joy Womack: The White Swan, an intimate look at the journey of professional ballerina Joy Womack from her humble beginnings in Texas to performing as prima ballerina with the Kremlin Ballet. This beautiful and insightful film dances on to digital on 19 July 2021 courtesy of 101 Films.

Joy Womack is lauded as one of the greatest ballerinas in the world, and now a brand-new evocative documentary follows her early family life in Texas and sees her passion and drive that takes her to the top of her profession to become a world-class ballet dancer.

More info at

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Red Soil - UK Trailer - Starring Zita Hanrot, Olivier Gourmet and Céline Sallette

Red Soil is a described as an edge-of-your-seat thriller and is produced by the Dardenne brothers and directed by Farid Bentoumi. Zita Hanrot (The Hookup Plan), Olivier Gourmet (The Kid with a Bike) and Céline Sallette (The Returned) lead the cast. The film serves as part of the official selection of Cannes 2020 and will finally street in August.

Nour (Hanrot), a young nurse, finds a job running the infirmary at the chemical plant where her dad (Sami Bouajila) has been labouring for 30 years. She soon discovers a vast cover-up involving toxic waste dumping, cancer victims and a corrupt local government. Now the young woman will have to choose between hiding the truth for her father's sake or becoming a whistleblower and speak out against corporate greed to uncover the local pollution scandal.

Watch Trailer at

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

The Love Trap - Hosted by Joel Dommett - Coming to Channel 4

Channel 4 has commissioned The Love Trap, an entertaining gameshow from Great Scott Media, the indie launched by the executive producers behind Too Hot To Handle, Leon Wilson and Ed Sleeman.

In the modern world of dating, it's harder than ever before to know who to trust. Now this brand-new reality-gameshow hybrid ingeniously subverts familiar dating show tropes in order to explore just how good we all are at spotting a genuine connection.

Comedian and presenter Joel Dommett presides over The Love Trap, as twelve women do all they can over a series of dates to win the affection of one single man. In a twist, only half of the women want to win our bachelor's heart, the other half want to stay in the game to be one step closer to winning a big cash prize. Successfully enticing our single man means they also avoid the elimination at the end of each episode when one suspected love trap will be dumped, quite literally, through the trap door.

 
Joel Dommett said "Super proud to announce I'll be presenting the new series, Love Trap on Channel 4! I love lying, love, and trap doors so it's all I've ever wanted. It's genuinely a huge idea and I'm excited that they have trusted me at the helm."

Saturday, 3 July 2021

Channel 4 announces new comedy Hullraisers, from Lucy Beaumont

Channel 4 has commissioned a brand-new, hull-arious series, Hullraisers (6 x 30') from Hull's very own Lucy Beaumont (Meet the Richardsons, To Hull and Back, Live at the Electric), written by Lucy Beaumont and Anne-Marie O'Connor (Trollied, Mum) and produced by Fable Pictures (Rocks, Wild Rose, Anne Boleyn).

Hullraisers celebrates female talent, both on and off screen in a laugh-out- loud, chaotic comedy that embodies the ups and downs of life, friendship, and family.  The series centres on three women; Toni, played by Hull-native Leah Brotherhead (Bridgerton, White Gold), Rana, played by Taj Atwal (Line of Duty, Truth Seekers) and Paula, played by Sinead Matthews (The Crown, The Power) and looks at their disheveled, messy and joyful lives. The series explores the hilarious and agonising reality of what it is to be a working-class woman juggling work, kids, demanding friends, family and frustrating parents from the school playground - all whilst trying to have some fun too.

Toni is a big-hearted tornado of chaos.  She's a self-described actress with no acting jobs (she can currently be found 'auditioning' to hand out cheese samples in a supermarket car park). She adores her 4-year-old daughter Leah and her soulmate Craig, but she still dreams of escaping Hull and craves her old life. Like many of us, she's caught between being the person she once was and the person she's becoming.

Toni's bestie is Rana, a confident policewoman who's daily life is ruled by her libido. She would rather date the full spectrum of Hull's most disappointing bachelors than think about settling down. Completing the trio is Paula, Toni's self-deprecating, down-to-earth matriarchal older sister who married her childhood sweetheart Dane, Rana's big brother. She's always been the polar opposite of Toni: she's never imagined being anywhere other than Hull, she doesn't approve of Rana's irresponsibility, and just can't understand Toni's unsettledness and constant need for more.

Hullraisers has been adapted from the Israeli hit show, Little Mom, which has been recommissioned for its fifth series, and is exclusively distributed worldwide by Dori Media.

Wednesday, 30 June 2021

REVIEW: Just Die Already on Xbox One

In recent years the "Sandbox Game" has become more and more popular, for those unaware a Sandbox Game is basically a game that allows you to have much more creativity within the game to complete tasks towards an end goal, as opposed to a much more linear experience that many games have.

Just Die Already is an "old people mayhem sandbox game". You start off the game in a care home for the elderly, apparently you are living in the near future where people are no longer having children, and no one is going to work as instead they are playing video games all day, so with no one paying the bills to look after the elderly, you find yourself having no choice but to escape the retirement home (or are you kicked out?) and find a way to survive on your own in a world that just wants you to die. Hence the title of the game.

Read full review at

The Champion of Auschwitz - The incredible true story of the boxing champ who fought for his life in Auschwitz

The Champion of Auschwitz tells the unknown story of one of the first inmates of camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, prisoner number #77. During his 3-year imprisonment in the camp, Tadeusz "Teddy" Pietrzykowski fought over 40 victorious duels, becoming a symbol of hope for victory over Nazi terror. His on-screen history has been documented in detail based on archival statements of former prisoners of Auschwitz and the memories of the boxer himself.
 
It is 1940. The first transport of prisoners arrives at the newly created concentration camp Auschwitz. One of them is Tadeusz "Teddy" Pietrzykowski, pre-war boxing champion of Warsaw. The camp officers force him to fight in the ring for his and other prisoners' lives. However, his every win strengthens the hope that Nazis are not invincible. Auschwitz officers notice the growing resistance. The confrontation with the authorities of the camp becomes inevitable.

The Champion of Auschwitz will be available in UK/EIRE Cinemas from 3rd September

Watch Trailer

Jolt - Official Trailer Starring Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, Jai Courtney, Laverne Cox, David Bradley,

Directed by Tanya Wexler
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, Jai Courtney, Laverne Cox, David Bradley, Ori Pfeffer, with Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci

Lindy is a beautiful, sardonically-funny woman with a painful secret: Due to a lifelong, rare neurological disorder, she experiences sporadic rage-filled, murderous impulses that can only be stopped when she shocks herself with a special electrode device. Unable to find love and connection in a world that fears her bizarre condition, she finally trusts a man long enough to fall in love, only to find him murdered the next day. Heartbroken and enraged, she embarks on a revenge-filled mission to find his killer, while also being pursued by the police as the crime's prime suspect.

91 Minutes | Rated R

Watch Trailer
http://www.beentothemovies.com/2021/06/jolt-official-trailer-starring-kate.html

Friday, 25 June 2021

Out Of Death - Trailer - Starring Bruce Willis and Jaime King

Directed by Mike Burns, who makes his feature film debut, Out of Death stars the legendary action icon Bruce Willis (Die Hard), Jaime King (Sin City, My Bloody Valentine) and Lala Kent (Hard Kill, Vault).

Still grieving the untimely death of her father, photojournalist Shannon Mathers (Jamie King) spreads his ashes in the woods when she witnesses a cop (Lala Kent) shooting and killing an unarmed henchman during a drug deal. She captures the whole scene on her camera before being discovered. Shot at, scared, helpless and on the run, she races her way through the woods with no recognition of her location.

Distracted by the violent noise of the attack, Jack Harris (Bruce Willis) a newly retired police officer who is relaxing at his cabin, saves Shannon just in time and the two narrowly escape into the woods. Not sure of whom she can trust, as more dirty cops arrive to help hunt her down, including the brutal town sheriff Hank Rivers (Michael Sirow), she decides to rely on Jack, her only real chance to fight back the corrupt police and bring it to justice.

Coming to Digital Download from August 2nd & DVD from October 4th

Watch Trailer

Dirt Music - Trailer - Starring Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund & David Wenham

Adapted by Gregor Jordan from Tim Winton's critically acclaimed novel of the same name, the film features an incredible cast including leading performances from Kelly Macdonald (Line of Duty), Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) & David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings).

Dirt Music follows Georgie (Kelly Macdonald) who's barely holding it together these days without a drink. Once a nurse, now she's trapped in White Point with local crayfish baron, Jim Buckridge (David Wenham) and his two sons. One hazy night she sees the lone figure of Lu Fox (Garrett Hedlund) appear in the mists of the bay. A long time ago he was a dirt musician, but now he survives as a poacher - an unwise choice given Jim's iron-grip on the local fishing trade. Georgie is instantly drawn to Lu, and the pair begin an intense affair. What Georgie doesn't realise is that the Foxes and the Buckridges have a long, murky history which just might rise to the surface.

Dirt Music will be available on Digital Download from 19th July

Watch Trailer at

Sunday, 20 June 2021

Gok Wan hosts brand new ITV series Bling

Hosted by Gok Wan, the 20 x 60' series delves into the dazzling world of jewellery and beyond; from buying and selling to making and fixing eye-catching pieces, figurines and more.

In the show's very own Bling store, bling is king. It's a one-stop shop with four distinct counters, one dedicated to each process, with charismatic experts on hand to guide, advise and get the best deals.

Heart-warming stories abound as excited couples seek that perfect engagement ring, sell a hidden gem such as a delicate pocket watch, fix a much-loved family treasure, or even create a one-off bespoke item. While customers also share the more emotive stories behind their trinkets; perhaps beloved family heirlooms they hope are not damaged beyond repair or treasured objects belonging to a departed loved one.

Heart and purse strings will be pulled, as some customers look to sell and buy - perhaps even restore and sell - within the same visit.

And it gets competitive as the experts are ready to pounce on a colleague's customer if a piece catches their eye. When a customer hears a big valuation, maybe that cherished heirloom might suddenly seem dispensable!

Meanwhile the craft experts at the fix and make counters will have their skills stretched as they work on everything from necklaces to carriage clocks. All are set to be wowed and surprised with items ranging from costume jewellery to crystal figurines and unique objet d'art.

Join Gok and the team as eye-catching items, emotional stories, hard bargains and quick deals collide under one roof.

Gok Wan said: "Jewellery can mean so much more than simply being just an accessory. And figurines, timepieces and delicate heirlooms often carry a special significance. I can't wait to see some beautiful bling and delve into the stories that really make it sparkle"

Giddy Stratospheres - Trailer - Starring Jamal Franklin and Laura Jean Marsh

GIDDY STRATOSPHERES follows Daniel (Jamal Franklin) and Lara (Laura Jean Marsh), indie-kid soul mates in the centre of the storm of guitars and broken glass that was the 00's indie music scene. Beautiful, mischievous, dishevelled, and on a quest for the ultimate euphoria and excitement that comes with dancing and thrashing on the front row to your new favourite song by your new favourite band. They don't miss a gig. They don't miss a beat. But as the night draws to a close, a darkness looms in the shadows of the after party. And the next day Lara can't quite work out why Daniel is so desperate for her to remember the events of the night before. Why is she in denial?

Set to a fantastic soundtrack, GIDDY STRATOSPHERES is the writing/directing debut of Laura Jean Marsh with a supporting cast including Nick Helm, Richard Herring, Bethany Slater, Charlotte Weston, Charlotte Milchard and a host of up-and-coming talent.

Watch Trailer

Thursday, 17 June 2021

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World - Official Trailer

Fifty years after the premiere of Death in Venice, Kristina Lindström & Kristian Petri's celebrated documentary explores the life of Björn Andrésen, the former teen star who embodied the legendary character Tadzio and whom director Luchino Visconti dubbed "the most beautiful boy in the world".
In 1970, filmmaker Luchino Visconti travelled throughout Europe looking for the perfect boy to personify absolute beauty in his adaptation for the screen of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice. In Stockholm, he discovered Björn Andrésen, a shy 15-year-old teenager whom he brought to international fame overnight and led to spend a short but intense part of his turbulent youth between the Lido in Venice, London, the Cannes Film Festival and the so distant Japan. Fifty years after the premiere of Death in Venice, Björn takes us on a remarkable journey made of personal memories, cinema history, stardust and tragedy.

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World is released in UK / Irish cinemas 30th July

Watch Trailer

Summer shocks in July on Horror Channel

Considered one of David Cronenberg's early genre classics, SCANNERS was based on Cronenberg's scripts The Sensitives and Telepathy 2000, which he planned to pitch to Roger Corman. Starring Michael Ironside and Patrick McGoohan, the film went on to became one of the first produced in Canada to successfully compete with American films at the international box office. Also airing is David Cronenberg's other cult classic body horror THE BROOD, which stars Oliver Reed and Samantha Eggar. To many this remains one of the director's most frightening and resonant movie.

Although not an outright hit when it was released in 2001, JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS, which stars Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Jason Statham and Pam Grier, has since gone on to cultivate a cult following, largely due to for the hard-core space action sequences and the soundtrack. Equally, Eli Roth's notorious post-modern celebration of the Italian cannibal genre, THE GREEN INFERNO, has divided mainstream opinion but continues to delight genre fans for its homage to Italian cannibal films of the late 1970s.

Other Highlights include Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer's stunning contemporary occult tale of Hollywood ambition, STARRY EYES, Timo Vuorensola's barnstorming surreal sci-fier IRON SKY. Julian Gilbey's harrowing British survival shocker, A LONELY PLACE TO DIE, starring Melissa George and Ed Speelers and fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger will welcome the clone-seeker's top-notch performance in THE 6TH DAY

Full film details in transmission order at

Wednesday, 16 June 2021

REVIEW: Chivalry 2 on Xbox

I have had Chivalry 2 since launch day, and played it a fair bit, first thing I would say is that this is not a game for newbies, for a start the game has a complex melee system, and that is exactly how it has been advertised. Pretty much everything you can think of, is in there, and it is not just about bashing the buttons and hoping for the best, you need to time your attacks, as well as your blocks, you will lose stamina if you just hold the defend button down, so you do need to think and try to time things, as opposed to the old turtle approach.

Before I go on, I will say that this is an online, multiplayer game only. There is no single player mode, not even a tutorial, and you need to also pay for the Gold Subscription to play online, which is annoying, but sadly this is the state of affairs these days, companies and Microsoft especially are incredibly greedy. Whereas on PC you get online mode for free, on Xbox you have to pay.

Read Full Review

First Look Picture: Anne Robinson joins Rachel Riley and Susie Dent to become the three ladies of Countdown

Anne Robinson takes up the Countdown reins from Monday 28 June on Channel 4, replacing Nick Hewer as the first female host of Channel 4's longest running series.  She will join numbers whizz Rachel Riley and wordsmith Susie Dent, where together they will be the TV programme's formidable female trio, every weekday at 2.10pm.

On her new all-female team, Anne Robinson, who will become Countdown's sixth host said: "Three Girls Do Countdown - who wouldn't want to watch?"

Reflecting on filming with journalist and broadcaster Anne Robinson, Rachel Riley said: "It's been really fun watching Anne very quickly find her feet in the Countdown studio and seeing the contestants in the new groove with her. She's not shy of asking them funny questions and the responses have ranged from going into their own comedy routines to not looking directly at her and hoping she doesn't see them - it's been very lively!"

Susie Dent added: "I'm so pleased to be able to work with Anne again. She has been a heroine of mine ever since she gently rescued me from an embarrassing moment on my first bit of live TV. With her flair and wit, she's going to be a wonderful addition to the Countdown team."

Countdown, which airs every weekday at 2.10pm, is filmed in Salford and produced by ITV Studios Entertainment.  It was the first programme to broadcast on Channel 4, when the channel launched 39 years ago, in November 1982, making it one of the longest running quiz shows in the world.

Saturday, 12 June 2021

Hero Mode - Official Trailer (aka. Mayfield's Game)

Get into character and activate Hero Mode, the entertaining gaming comedy from director A. J. Tesler (Campaign Trail, Magnolia's Hope). The film draws inspiration from classic and retro video games to create a nostalgic yet fresh story released on digital 14 June from 101 Films.

Teenage genius Troy Mayfield (Chris Carpenter – As Far As The Eye Can See, Amanda And Jack Go Glamping) has been coding since he could talk, and all he wants to do is design his own smash hit video game. When he's suspended from school for doing a good deed, his mother – and CEO of Playfield Video Games (Mira Sorvino – Mighty Aphrodite, Modern Family) – allows him to join the game design team. But being a prodigy who knows it all has its downsides, and Troy must learn that teamwork and listening to those around him are keys to success he had never considered before.

With Playfield Games facing financial difficulty and their lead designer Jimmy (Sean Astin – Lord Of The Rings, Stranger Things), refusing to cooperate, it's down to Troy to create the world's greatest video game to premiere at PixelCon, and he has just 30 days to do it before the company goes under…

Will Troy and the team be able to move past their differences and work together to save Playfield Games?

Get in on the action with Hero Mode, a fun family feature.

Released on digital 14 June 2021

Watch Trailer

Friday, 11 June 2021

REVIEW: Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town on Nintendo Switch

Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town, but for the sake of this review I will just call the game Willy Morgan. Willy Morgan is point and click game, yes, I know there are millions of them out there, but what makes this one different, or better? Well for a start the graphics. The graphics are truly stunning. Featuring great 3D cartoon graphics, it will instantly catch your eye.

Let us start with the general story of the game.
10 years have passed since the mysterious disappearance of Willy's father, the famous archaeologist Henry Morgan. One day, the postman delivers him a strange letter:

"If you receive this letter, it means that something went wrong
and it's up to you to finish what I started. Go as fast as you can
to Bone Town, room 09, but don't trust anyone..."

Now I know what some of you are thinking. The main character is called "Willy" and he needs to travel to "Bone" town. For a start get your mind out of the gutter, this is not Leisure Suit Larry, instead this is a game aimed firmly at the younger gamer, but still has enough to it, and it will entertain and challenge a more experienced gamer too.

Read on at

Thursday, 10 June 2021

Channel 4 commissions Rachel Nickell; My Mother’s Murder

Channel 4 has commissioned Monumental Pictures, Angel Station & Hatchling Films to make the 1x60 min documentary Rachel Nickell:  My Mother's Murder. This deeply personal authored film looks at the high profile murder of Rachel Nickell from her son Alex Hanscombe's  perspective and will also reveal the impact on the adults around him.  For the first time on television Alex revisits the events around his mother's murder, considering how this shaped the man he is today.

Alex was just two years old when he was the sole witness to his mother's brutal murder on Wimbledon Common.  After Rachel's death in July 1992, press and public alike became obsessed with the 'tragic tot' who witnessed his mother's murder just weeks before his third birthday.  Family, friends and professionals involved in the investigation worried about the impact it had on the young child, and many have not seen him since.

Months after Rachel's death, Alex and his father Andre fled the country to escape the public gaze.  Now, for the first time, they return to the UK and to Wimbledon common together.  Alex revisits this period of his life as he meets key people from the time, some of them friends of the family and relatives, others professionals involved in the case.

Whilst revisiting incredible trauma experienced by a young boy, we get to know Alex Hanscombe the man, offering hope that a life after unimaginable loss is possible.

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Ron's Gone Wrong - Official Trailer

20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation's "Ron's Gone Wrong" is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device, which is supposed to be his "Best Friend out of the Box." Ron's hilarious malfunctions, set against the backdrop of the social media age, launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship.
"Ron's Gone Wrong" features the voices of Zach Galifianakis ("A Wrinkle in Time"), Jack Dylan Grazer ("Shazam!"), Olivia Colman ("The Crown"), Ed Helms ("The Office"), Justice Smith ("Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom"), Rob Delaney ("Deadpool 2"), Kylie Cantrall ("Gabby Duran and the Unsittables"), Ricardo Hurtado ("The Goldbergs"), Marcus Scribner ("Black-ish"), Thomas Barbusca ("Chad").

Watch Trailer

Saturday, 5 June 2021

Interview with Meredith Bogard Brown

When did you first become interested in writing?
I think around age 13 when I began keeping a diary. I would write in it every single day, until I filled up countless books. I then kept a separate one for poetry and really became obsessed during college English and Creative Writing class in HS. My poetry went from the lovesick themes to dark and twisted ideas that roamed in my head. I joined my HS paper and kept it going as I entered college and beyond.


How did you get involved in fantasy/horror?
Inherited from my parents! Mostly my mom. She was a brilliant PhD psychotherapist who loved to relax after dinner by watching a good horror film like Maniac, Demented, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. When I was 10, I begged to watch one of "mommy's movies" with her, so she put on Motel Hell and I was hooked. My dad was more into the complexity of psychological horror films over gore and introduced me to A Clockwork Orange when I was around 14. It was love at first watch. I even ended up writing my college senior thesis on Anthony Burgess' book.

Read more

Friday, 4 June 2021

Jamie Oliver: Together

Chef brings friends, family and Covid heroes Together for new series of celebratory menus designed to be shared with those we love.

Jamie Oliver is back on Channel 4 this autumn with a brand-new series, Jamie Oliver: Together (w/t). The TV chef will be creating a series of stunning menus designed to be enjoyed with friends, family and loved ones after so long apart.

The series will celebrate meals that bring people together and make special memories. With a collection of full feasting menus, from nibbles and starters to sharing plates and mouth-watering desserts, each episode walks the viewer through cooking a full meal from beginning to end, providing the ultimate guide to stress-free entertaining. Alongside the food, there will also be hacks, tips and tricks to set the scene and create the perfect ambience for your guests, and that's before we get started on the cocktails…

The recipes featured on the show are from Jamie's new book Together, which launches in September 2021, and will be presented in the simple, easy-to-follow steps the chef is known for. Whether you're hosting a beautiful curry night, summery feast or a celebration meal to toast all the birthdays and anniversaries we missed last year, Jamie's got you covered.

Alongside cooking for his loved ones in the series, Jamie will be opening his home to some of the frontline heroes of the pandemic to say a big thank you for everything they have done to keep us safe. From NHS staff to delivery drivers, food growers and vital service providers, Jamie will serve up memorable meals that we can all recreate at home for our own reunions and celebrations.

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Night of the Kings - Trailer - Starring Koné Bakary & Steve Tientcheu

Altitude have announced that NIGHT OF THE KINGS, the acclaimed film from director Philippe Lacôte (RUN), will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on 23 July 2021.  The film received its World Premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2020 as part of the Horizons section and went on to feature at the Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival that same year. It was Ivory Coast's official submission for the 2021 Academy Awards.
Spectacular, thrilling and absolutely unique, NIGHT OF THE KINGS is both an exhilarating tale of survival in one of the world's most unforgiving environments and a beautiful ode to the power of storytelling.

When a young man (first-timer Koné Bakary) is sent to an infamous prison, located in the middle of the Ivorian forest and ruled by its inmates, he is chosen by the boss 'Blackbeard' (Steve Tientcheu, BAFTA and Academy-Award nominated LES MISÉRABLES) to take part in a storytelling ritual just as a violent battle for control bubbles to the surface. After discovering the grim fate that awaits him at the end of the night, Roman begins to narrate the mystical life of a legendary outlaw to make his story last until dawn and give himself any chance of survival.

Watch Trailer

Releasing in UK Cinemas on Tuesday 8th June: Beautiful new documentary on Van Gogh's greatest masterwork 'Sunflowers'

Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers are some of the most iconic paintings in the world. What many mistake for one masterpiece, are actually five paintings of sunflowers in vases scattered across galleries in Amsterdam, London, Munich, Philadelphia and Tokyo. This extraordinary feature-length documentary film brings the spectacular series together on screen as never seen before.

Working closely with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Sunflowers goes beyond a 'virtual exhibition', delving into the rich and complex stories behind each of the paintings to unveil the mysteries of the sunflowers. What did the flowers mean to Van Gogh, and why do they resonate so much with audiences today? With a striking portrayal of the artist by actor Jamie de Courcey and fascinating insights from art historians, botanists and everything in between, the film offers a unique insight into Van Gogh's life and artwork.

Watch Trailer

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

THE TOMORROW WAR - Official Trailer - Starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons

THE TOMORROW WAR premieres July 2, 2021 globally on Prime Video

In The TOMORROW WAR, the world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight. Among those recruited is high school teacher and family man Dan Forester (Chris Pratt). Determined to save the world for his young daughter, Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist (Yvonne Strahovski) and his estranged father (J.K. Simmons) in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet.

Directed by Chris McKay

Starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge, Jasmine Mathews, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Keith Powers

Watch Trailer

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To (2021) - Official UK Trailer

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To will be released on Digital Download from June 28.

Following its world premiere at Tribeca last year, the film has played a string of genre festivals – including Nightstream, Sitges and São Paulo. The UK premiere took place at Celluloid Screams.

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To is an elevated-genre feature directed by Jonathan Cuartas and starring Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous, First Man), Ingrid Sophie Schram (Phantom Thread) and Owen Campbell (As You Are, The Miseducation of Cameron Post).

The film follows siblings Dwight (Patrick Fugit) and Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) who put all their energy into keeping their little brother Thomas (Owen Campbell) alive. But he craves human blood.

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Celebrity line up revealed for brand new series of Channel 4’s Can I Improve My Memory?

Hosted by Sandi Toksvig, the brand-new series of Can I Improve My Memory? is set to air this Summer on Channel 4.

Over the course of the series, five famous faces from the world of TV, entertainment and sport will enter one of the trickiest competitions on TV designed to improve their memories. Coached by real masters of memory who share the secrets of their success and change the way the celebrity contestants think, they will be given just one week (each episode) to memorise hundreds of niche facts and master mind-bending techniques before being put on the spot in rigorous quiz conditions by Sandi at Memory HQ.  Across four knockout episodes, the challenges will get tougher and the group will be whittled down to just one celebrity being crowned Memory Champion by Sandi.

Competing to win the coveted Memory Champion title are; Strictly Come Dancing legend Len Goodman, boxing heavyweight Chris Eubank, TV presenter Anna Richardson, EastEnders actor Nina Wadia, ex beautician and Love Island Winner Amber Gill.

In the first episode, the celebrities must master general knowledge topics they know nothing about, followed by a quickfire challenge, tackling that common memory demon – names and faces. In this episode, Anna must become an expert in planetary science, including memorising information about the major and dwarf planets, the solar systems, names of moons and historical details about The Space Race.  Amber will have to spread her wings into ornithology, memorising the Latin names of common and rare British bird species, their wing spans, bird calls and decipher their plumages.  Len is challenged with remembering hundreds of facts about American hip hop in the 1990s, Nina attempts to crack facts on the human skeleton and Chris will be memorising information about dinosaurs of the Jurassic era.  To assist them with their daunting tasks, the celebrity contestants will be coached by Ed Cooke, who became a Grand Master of Memory at just 23 years of age. With an abundance of nerves and nail-biting tension, just how much can the celebrity contestants remember and who will win?

Marvel Studios’ Eternals - Official Teaser - Starring: Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh and Don Lee, Kit Harrington

Marvel Studios' Eternals features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants.
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh and Don Lee, Kit Harrington

RELEASE DATE
November 5, 2021

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REVIEW: Panda Plan (2024 Film) - Starring Jackie Chan

Panda Plan (2024) is a fun and light-hearted action-comedy that sees Jackie Chan back in top form. Playing himself, Jackie attends the ado...