Hitting theatres today is The DUFF, a new teen comedy starring Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell. Based on the novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger, the film centers on Bianca - who has been branded the Designated Ugly Fat Friend (DUFF) - and “dumb jock” Wesley, who decides to help her shed that label. Rising above a formulaic structure, The DUFF tackles themes like self-acceptance and rising above negativity and ends up being a pretty enjoyable film.
Romance and murder collide over a colorful backdrop in the wacky new release The Voices. Directed by Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis, Chicken With Plums) and penned by horror scribe Michael R. Perry, the Sundance hit stars Ryan Reynolds as a mentally ill factory worker who wrestles with remaining average or indulging his homicidal urges. All the while looking to his cat and dog for answers.
Netflix’s latest original series, Marco Polo, marks a new kind of small screen venture, one that’s indicative of a European miniseries. The 10-hour epic brings to life the adventures of the titular explorer (Lorenzo Richelmy) and his relationship with Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong). It's one of the most expensive television series ever produced and is yet another stellar addition to Netflix's arsenal of original programming.
As the second most expensive show in TV history (just behind Game of Thrones), Marco Polo is Netflix’s latest original series venture, and Harvey Weinstein’s first foray into television. The mega producer has classified the stylish action epic as a ten hour movie, and after watching the first few episodes, it’s easy to see why.
If you’ve had trouble dealing with the gaping hole in your TV viewing life since The Strain concluded its first season (guilty), hope has arrived! Not only is the eccentric supernatural thriller available to own on Blu-Ray starting on December 2nd, but we also had the chance to speak with the star of the FX hit, Mia Maestro, to gain insights into the development of her character Nora, how her own experiences growing up in Argentina have come into play, and her complex on-screen relationship with Eph (Corey Stoll).
Arriving in theatres last weekend was Beyond the Lights, a powerful and moving film anchored by a tremendous performance from Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who plays Noni, a musical superstar who soon succumbs to the pressures of the industry. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Kaz (Nate Parker), and they quickly fall for each other. With support from her newfound love, Noni starts to put the pieces of her life back together and turn into the "artist that she was meant to be."
One of TV’s most underrated shows has finally begun to generate some of the attention it deserves in the form of fervent critical acclaim and a devoted cult fanbase. I'm of course talking about NBC's Hannibal. While the show’s basic premise is inspired by Thomas Harris' novel, Red Dragon, series creator Bryan Fuller has carved out (no pun intended) a unique psychological thriller that is visually stunning, despite its nightmarish tone.
It may have failed to capture the attention of audiences when it first premiered in 2002, but The Wire eventually became one of HBO's most successful shows and is now considered the greatest TV drama of all time.
