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☆ ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ review: Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in a space-race rom-com
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Less than weighty in the comedy part of its equation, the film largely works as a vehicle for Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, even without completely sticking the landing. In classic fashion, they are of course instantly drawn to each other, creating the need to erect barriers in order to keep them apart. Scarlett Johansson plays a marketing expert recruited by NASA in "Fly Me to the Moon." Perhaps foremost, “Fly Me to the Moon” possesses appealing virtues consciously plucked from the past, then adorns them with modern baubles. “Fly Me to the Moon” premieres July 12 in US theaters.

Persons: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Johansson, Woody Harrelson, Nixon, there’s, Cole Davis, Tatum, Johansson’s Kelly Jones, Dan McFadden, Neil Armstrong, Greg Berlanti, Rose Gilroy, Deadpool, Berlanti, “ Love, Simon ”, Faye Dunaway, it’s, Mike ” Organizations: CNN, NASA, Sony, Apple Locations: Lost

☆ Tree removal at North Carolina church unearths centuries-old artifacts
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Sydney Bishop | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Cenci’s two passions coincided when a plethora of centuries-old items were found June 20 in the yard of Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where Cenci has served as rector since 2019. Excavation work is seen at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Daniel Cenci speaks at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. His daughter Charlotte was married in the Episcopal church in 1833, according to church records and as posted by Lowry on Facebook. Part of a wine bottle from France was excavated from the site at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Persons: Daniel Cenci, Cenci, WTKR, ” Cenci, ” Cinci, Michele Walker, Ian Lowry, Robyn Nix, Sam Moncla, George Davis, Charlotte, Lowry, Davis, ” Lowry, “, Nix, “ We’re, ” Organizations: CNN, Episcopal, North, North Carolina Office, Raleigh, WTKR, North Carolina Department of Natural, Cultural Resources, Episcopal Church, Facebook Locations: Elizabeth City , North Carolina, North Carolina, Greenville, wasn’t, Pasquotank, France, China

☆ ‘The Bear’ Season 3 review: The Emmy-winning series returns at the slow-cooked pace of a show simmered in praise
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A posted sign in a kitchen reads “Every Second Counts,” but “The Bear” is clearly in no hurry during its third season, proceeding at the slow-cooked pace of a show simmered in accolades and Emmys. The latest season’s first episode nicely sets the table for the nine episodes to come, playing almost like a visual poem while reintroducing the characters. Ricky Staffieri, Jeremy Allen White and Matty Matheson in "The Bear." What “The Bear” has lost is the element of surprise that greeted its arrival. “The Bear” launched its third season June 26 on Hulu.

Persons: CNN —, “ Barry ”, “, Jackie ”, “ Ted Lasso, ”, Christopher Storer, Ricky Staffieri, Jeremy Allen White, Matty Matheson, Chuck Hodes, Carmy, Calvin Klein, Storer Organizations: CNN, Hulu Locations: ”

☆ ‘Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple’ review: An HBO documentary traces his life from Bruce Springsteen to ‘The Sopranos’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Sometimes documentaries get all they need from the subject, and in the case of “Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple,” the who’s who of musical luminaries in his orbit don’t hurt either. When Van Zandt mentions the seminal experience of seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan’s show, it’s almost immediately followed by an interview with Paul McCartney. Ditto for other singers that Van Zandt mentions, like Dion DiMucci, Darlene Love and Gary U.S. Bonds. James Gandolfini and Stevie Van Zandt in "The Sopranos." “Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple” premieres June 22 at 8 p.m.

Persons: Stevie Van Zandt, Steven Van Zandt’s, Bruce Springsteen’s, “, ”, ” plucks, Van Zandt’s, Springsteen, Van Zandt, Leonard Peltier, there’s, David Chase, ” Chase, Ed Sullivan’s, Paul McCartney, Ditto, Dion DiMucci, Darlene Love, Bonds, James Gandolfini, Bruce Springsteen, Tony Soprano Organizations: CNN, Gary U.S, HBO, Little, Warner Bros . Locations: New Jersey, South Africa, USA, Asbury Park

☆ Donald Sutherland death: ‘Hunger Games’ movie actor dies at age 88
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Brian Lowry | Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Donald Sutherland, a veteran actor known for roles in “M*A*S*H,” “Klute” and “The Hunger Games,” has died, according to a statement from his agency CAA. “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland’s son, wrote in a post on Instagram Thursday. BeginningsBorn in Saint John, New Brunswick, Sutherland endured several bouts of ill health as a child, including polio. The 6’4” actor met his first wife, Lois Hardwick, in college, and the two married in 1959. He also discussed subtly altering his dialogue, as he put it, to “try to make the lines that I’ve been given fit my mouth.”Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams and Donald Sutherland in 1978's "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers."

Persons: CNN — Donald Sutherland, “, ”, Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, ” Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland’s, J, Paul Getty, Hawkeye Pierce, Jane Fonda, Oscar, Fonda, ” Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, Nicolas Roeg’s “, Oliver Stone’s “, ” Sutherland, Federico Fellini, “ Fellini’s Casanova, filmgoers, Lois Hardwick, Shirley Douglas, Kiefer, Rachel, Francine Racette, Hugh Grant, ” Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams, Max Dugan, John Grisham, Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, Bass Reeves Organizations: CNN, CAA, “, Soviet, Globes, National Lampoon, Lionsgate, Oliver Stone’s “ JFK, University of Toronto, Hollywood, United, Reuters, Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, of, Paramount Locations: Miami, Saint John , New Brunswick, London, of Canada

☆ Watching British movies and TV with the subtitles on? It’s not just you
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —One of the benefits of streaming has been an increased flow of series and movies from around the globe, as services try to keep their shelves filled with fresh alternatives. Perhaps that’s one reason why data indicate more people – especially young adults, who are more prone to second-screen viewing and multitasking – are watching shows in their primary language with the subtitles on. The survey found that those using subtitles cite two primary factors in equal measure: Subtitles enhance their comprehension, and they help them understand accents. The service has increased the number of films and series that support audio descriptions (AD) and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). The trend suggests viewers are actively sampling internationally produced material as they seek (and often stumble upon) options via streaming platforms.

Persons: ”, Lupin ”, “ Bodkin, Luke Newton, Colin Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan, Penelope Featherington, Liam Daniel, Kathy Rokni, Netflix’s, “, ” Rokni, it’s, Max ”, wouldn’t, Max, Mel Gibson, Kennedy Miller, Who ” Organizations: CNN, Netflix Netflix, Netflix, Kennedy Miller Productions British, swatch Locations: Australia, American

☆ ‘Eric’ review: Benedict Cumberbatch pulls the right strings in Netflix series about a puppeteer and his missing son
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Weird, dark but compulsively watchable, “Eric” stars Benedict Cumberbatch and a hulking foul-mouthed puppet, not necessarily in that order. When Edgar abruptly goes missing, both parents blame Vincent, who becomes convinced his child’s drawings of an ogre-like puppet named Eric are somehow the key to finding him. As Vincent turns to self-medication to ease his anxiety and guilt, Eric appears to him, and him alone, ostensibly to help him locate the boy. Ivan Howe plays the missing child in Netflix's "Eric." Eric might need somebody to pull his strings, but give credit to “Eric” – especially considering the challenging nature of the concept – for so effectively tying those threads together.

Persons: “ Eric ”, Benedict Cumberbatch, Edgar, Ivan Howe, Vincent, Cumberbatch, ”, Cassie, Gaby Hoffmann, isn’t, Eric, Lennie, Dan Fogler, Abi Morgan, McKinley Belcher III, –, hasn’t, Henry Sugar, Morgan, Eric ”, “ Eric ” – Organizations: CNN, Netflix, “ Locations: New York, Netflix's, Welsh, York

☆ Jennifer Lopez plus AI robots in ‘Atlas’ equals fuel for Netflix’s algorithm
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Say what you want about Jennifer Lopez, but streaming algorithms surely love her, which accounts for her parade of recent movies – “The Mother” (Netflix), “Shotgun Wedding” (Amazon) and “Marry Me” (Peacock), all in the last two years. Add to that “Atlas,” a nonstop sci-fi action movie that basically gets the job done with a plot that recalls Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” just with a lot more cursing. Atlas must then team up with another AI robot (voiced by Gregory James Cohan) in order to survive. Netflix continues to lay down expensive bets on genre movies, with Zack Snyder’s two-part “Rebel Moon” among the more prominent recent examples. For her part, Lopez steps into a slightly different role – and wisely away from another rom-com – in her dual capacity as producer and star.

Persons: Jennifer Lopez, ”, Disney’s, Atlas Shepherd, Harlan, Simu Liu, Gregory James Cohan, Mark Strong, Sterling K, Brown, Lopez, Brad Peyton –, Dwayne Johnson, Andreas ” –, Zack Snyder’s, it’s Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Sterling, “

☆ ‘Bridgerton’ review: The Netflix show whistles down a new road to romance with Penelope and Colin
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Fortunately, the third round (after a “Queen Charlotte” detour) has the highly sympathetic Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) at its core, adding some additional sweetness to the formula. For the uninitiated, poor Penelope has spent two seasons secretly moonlighting as the acid-tongued gossip Lady Whistledown (still voiced by Julie Andrews, because, well, Julie Andrews! (There’s a praying mantis quality to Bridgertons, since while mating doesn’t lead to death, they do tend to lose their heads and then mostly disappear.) Give some credit to the casting and, more pragmatically, the strength of Netflix as a platform relative to the more rarefied homes for such fare. “Bridgerton” begins its third season May 16 on Netflix, with the second half to premiere on June 13.

Persons: you’ve, Charlotte ”, Penelope Featherington, Nicola Coughlan, Penelope, moonlighting, Whistledown, Julie Andrews, Colin, Luke Newton, Jane Austen, Francesca, Hannah Dodd, Violet, Ruth Gemmell, “ Bridgerton, Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton ” Organizations: CNN, Netflix

☆ In ‘Back to Black,’ Marisa Abela’s Amy Winehouse is the best reason to go, go, go
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The tragic arc of Amy Winehouse’s brief life and nova-like career creates built-in problems for a biography of the singer, which doesn’t dampen the knockout performance by Marisa Abela in “Back to Black,” capturing the talent, rage and self-destructiveness that defined her. Thin as biopics go, the power of Abela’s portrayal elevates the film, providing a poignance and strength that’s the clearest motivation to go, go, go. Then again, as constructed here, the two went hand in hand, with the lyrics to songs like “Back to Black” and “Rehab” directly addressing her addictions to her relationship with Blake and alcohol. In terms of capturing what animated Winehouse, the blinding star power that Abela emits here ultimately justifies the exercise. “Back to Black” premieres May 17 in US theaters.

Persons: Amy Winehouse’s, Marisa Abela, Blake, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, Lesley Manville, Tony Bennett, Sam Taylor, Johnson, John Lennon, Matt Greenhalgh, “, Abela, Winehouse, Bob Marley, ” Organizations: CNN, HBO

☆ Disney and WBD launch streaming bundle combining Disney+, Hulu and Max
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Brian Lowry | Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Seeking further scale in the streaming business, Disney and Warner Bros. Among other things, the collaborative effort would put the two major comic-book rivals, Disney’s Marvel and Warner Bros.’ DC, together in a cooperative venture. (Warner Bros. Disney+ has more than 100 million subscribers, while Hulu reaches another 50 million. “On the heels of the very successful launch of Hulu on Disney+, this new bundle with Max will offer subscribers even more choice and value,” Joe Earley, president of direct-to-consumer for Disney, said.

Persons: ’ Max, Disney’s, Warner, Max, ” Joe Earley Organizations: CNN, Disney, Warner Bros . Discovery, Hulu, Warner Bros, HBO, Disney’s Marvel, DC, Netflix, Max Locations: Hulu, “

☆ As ‘The Phantom Menace’ turns 25, six (non-Jar Jar) things the ‘Star Wars’ prequel got right
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The teeth-gnashing aspects of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” have been chewed upon for a quarter century, from Watto to Anakin Skywalker’s Midi-chlorian count (and miracle birth) to almost everyone’s favorite punching bag, Jar Jar Binks. Think of them as creative building blocks, which overcame clunkier parts of the script and awkward performances to influence the rest of the “Star Wars” timeline. Ray Park as the villainous Darth Maul in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." It’s also likely a key reason why “Star Wars” has continued to flourish as parents pass it on to their kids. “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” will play in select theaters beginning May 3.

Persons: Anakin Skywalker’s, George Lucas ’, Dave Filoni, “ Obi, Wan, They’re, Darth Sidious, Ian McDiarmid, Lucas, credibly, Mace Windu, Samuel L, Jackson didn’t, Ray Park, Darth Maul, Filoni, “, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Obi, Wan Kenobi, McGregor, Neeson, Wan –, John Williams, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Force Locations: Watto, Republic

☆ ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ review: Harvey Keitel stars in a love story set in the darkest of times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Jumping around in time, this British production captures the horror of that experience while finding notes of grace in its narrator’s survival. That’s in part because this six-part series is at its core a love story, unfolding under the most horrible of circumstances. Harvey Keitel as the older Lali Sokolov in "The Tattooist of Auschwitz." Martin Mlaka/Sky UK“I haven’t got long,” Lali tells her, fueling her commitment to ensure his story gets told. “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” premieres May 2 on Peacock.

Persons: Harvey Keitel, Lale Sokolov, Jonah Hauer, King, Anna Próchniak, “, Gita, Lali, Heather Morris, Melanie Lynskey, Lali Sokolov, Martin Mlaka, haven’t, ”, Barbra Streisand, Sokolov Organizations: CNN Locations: Auschwitz

☆ ‘Knuckles’ review: Idris Elba reprises his ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ warrior in a Paramount+ series that goes nowhere fast
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies weren’t particularly good, but they had Jim Carrey and made a lot of money, so inevitably, there’s more. Lacking Carrey to help carry the load, “Knuckles,” spun out of that game-to-screen universe, isn’t just bad, but a next-level degree of bad, starting with the puzzling question of for whom this six-episode Paramount+ series was made. Despite only six half-hour episodes to complete the trek from points A to B, “Knuckles” goes nowhere fast and doesn’t seem to be in much of a hurry to get anywhere. “I do not make jokes,” Knuckles tells Wade. “Knuckles” premieres April 26 on Paramount+.

Persons: Jim Carrey, Carrey, “ Knuckles, ”, Idris Elba, Knuckles, –, Wade Whipple, Adam Pally, Wade, Rory McCann, Knuckles ”, Stockard Channing, “ Knuckles ”, “ Organizations: CNN, Paramount Locations: Reno , Nevada, Wade, detours

☆ As ‘Alien’ turns 45, those screams still echo through space and time
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —“In space, no one can hear you scream.”“Alien” premiered with that memorable advertising line in June 1979. I went to see “Alien” on its opening weekend with my older brother, knowing relatively little about it. Driving to the Avco cinemas in Westwood near UCLA, we immediately noticed the long line for tickets wrapping around the theater and heading down the block. Yaphet Kotto, Sigourney Weaver and Ian Holm in "Alien." Yet in the 1970s, with films like “Jaws,” “Star Wars” and “Alien,” they seemed to emerge almost organically, yielding screams, either of delight or horror, that, like those memories, have echoed across space and time.

Persons: CNN —, “, Ridley Scott’s, Ellen Ripley, Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Yaphet Kotto, Ian Holm, –, thrall, Ripley, Romulus, ”, James Cameron’s Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Times, Avco, UCLA, Fox, Hollywood Locations: Westwood

☆ ‘Challengers’ review: Zendaya stars in director Luca Guadagnino’s triangle where love means nothing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —In tennis, “love” means nothing. Back in the present, Tashi is Art’s wife and coach, having lost her own career to a devastating knee injury. Even using the sport as a metaphor, “Challengers” might become a bit of a challenge for those who show up eager to see the principals sweat for different reasons. Because she’s playing more complicated angles, Zendaya’s Tashi is the most interesting character as well as a source of frustration. While the build-up proves effective, the payoff simply feels too precious, in a way that’s particularly unsatisfying.

Persons: Love, whiffing, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, Mike Faist, Patrick, Josh O’Connor, Tashi, “, ” Guadagnino, Justin Kuritzkes Organizations: CNN, “, Wimbledon

☆ ‘Avengers Assemble:’ Five years after ‘Endgame,’ the box office needs more than just a blip
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

For many it felt like a soothing balm, underscoring the kind of communal experience people were missing as the still-new coronavirus pandemic shuttered theaters. Even allowing for that, the operatic heights achieved by “Endgame,” which grossed nearly $2.8 billion worldwide, would have been difficult to replicate. Such a concept would have sounded particularly foreign in the run-up to “Endgame,” when Marvel and its leader, Kevin Feige, appeared to possess a Midas touch. Venezuelan filmgoers watch the first screening in Venezuela of Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" at a cinema in Caracas on April 26, 2019. Unlike “Endgame,” the challenges that face the movie business can’t be undone with a snap of the fingers.

Persons: Captain, Thanos, ”, Marvel, Kevin Feige, Federico Parra, Joe, Anthony Russo, America, Russo, Joe Russo, Barbie ”, Captain America Organizations: CNN, Captain America, Marvel Studios, Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Hollywood, “, Getty, Film, Captain, Disney Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, AFP

☆ ‘The Sympathizer’ review: Robert Downey Jr. heads down the rabbit hole of the Vietnam War
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The fortuitous timing of having a series produced by and featuring newly minted Oscar-winner Robert Downey Jr. tumbles down a very strange rabbit hole in “The Sympathizer,” a darkly satirical look at the Vietnam War and its aftermath. Each episode begins with dated-looking credits that evoke the 1970s, a promising Quentin Tarantino-ish conceit that, given what follows, sets expectations too high. As constructed, it’s a rather heavy-handed approximation of the fate Vietnam experienced in the pull of the war, which doesn’t make the Captain’s increasingly surreal arc any more compelling. Strangelove,” assuming that was the intent, than a means of maximizing the star’s presence without really heightening its impact. “The Sympathizer” is hardly the first project to funnel the contradictions of the Vietnam War through an exaggerated lens (“Apocalypse Now” being a prime example), but except for a few bracing sequences the execution only clouds that vision.

Persons: Robert Downey Jr, Downey, can’t, Park Chan, ”, Don McKellar, Quentin Tarantino, Duy Nguyen, Fred Nguyen Khan, Peter Sellers, “ Dr, Strangelove, Sandra Oh, David Duchovny, “ Organizations: CNN, Viet Thanh, CIA, HBO, coy, Credit Downey, Warner Bros . Locations: Vietnam, Viet, Saigon, what’s, “

☆ ‘Franklin’ review: Michael Douglas can’t quite catch lightning as Benjamin Franklin in new Apple TV+ series
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“Franklin” comes from “John Adams” writer-producer Kirk Ellis, with Howard Korder (“Boardwalk Empire”), director Tim Van Patten (“The Sopranos”) and former HBO programming chief Richard Plepler joining him among the executive producers with pedigreed connections to that network. Michael Douglas and Ludivine Sagnier in "Franklin." Yet unlike “John Adams,” it lacks the level of supporting players and driving tension related to the Adams-Thomas Jefferson dynamic to provide a strong sense of narrative momentum. But even those attributes, and Douglas’ interpretation of them, don’t quite prove inventive enough to compensate for its shortcomings. “Franklin” premieres April 12 on Apple TV+.

Persons: “ Franklin ”, “ John Adams, ”, Michael Douglas, Benjamin Franklin, “ John Adams ”, Kirk Ellis, Howard Korder, Tim Van Patten, Richard Plepler, Franklin, Tom Wilkinson, Douglas, Temple, Noah Jupe, Ludivine, Madame Brillon, John Adams, “ Ray Donovan’s, Eddie Marsan, “, ” Douglas, Liberace, –, Stacy Schiff’s, Adams, Thomas Jefferson Organizations: CNN, Air, Apple, HBO, Continental Army, Franco, ” Locations: France, it’s, Paris, American, Great Britain, Franklin

☆ Critics are calling Netflix's 'Ripley' a stunning Hitchcockian thriller. But like its criminal anti-hero, it ends up overstaying its welcome.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The series is a slow-burn thriller that might not work for everyone. NetflixAs many critics have pointed out, "Ripley" indulges in every minute of its almost eight-hour run time. It may take a few episodes to engross audience members, but it's well worth the ride. "This kind of meticulous artistry deserves equally attentive viewing," Lena Wilson argued for IGN, adding: "Despite streaming in full on Netflix, 'Ripley' works best when watched in moderation." However, Aramide Tinubu, writing for Variety, disagreed, arguing that "the episodes are painfully overlong and full of dead space."

Persons: Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Andrew Scott, Ripley, Dan Einav, Lucy Mangan, Lena Wilson, Aramide Tinubu, Maurizio Lombardi, —, Brian Lowry Organizations: Netflix, Financial Times, The Guardian, IGN, Variety Locations: Ripley, Dickie's

☆ ‘Ripley’ review: Andrew Scott stars in a very slow-burn Netflix series based on the Tom Ripley books
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Moving slowly, indeed almost hypnotically, “Ripley” takes a few episodes to kick in, but once it does there’s no turning back. Set in the early 1960s, the format provides the latitude to luxuriate in uncomfortable moments and build palpable tension around situations in Patricia Highsmith’s books, a sensation that becomes more intense once it’s demonstrated how ruthless Scott’s Tom Ripley can be. Living an idyllic life with his girlfriend Marge (Dakota Fanning), Dickie resists the notion but foolishly invites Tom into his orbit. Marge might be suspicious of Tom’s motivations, but he quickly wins over Dickie despite his occasionally strange behavior. If they do, give the credit, primarily, to the talented Messrs. Zaillian and Scott.

Persons: “ Ripley ”, Ripley ”, Andrew Scott, “, Matt Damon, Steven Zaillian, ” “ Ripley ”, Patricia Highsmith’s, Tom Ripley, Ripley, Dickie Greenleaf, Johnny Flynn, Marge, Dakota Fanning, Dickie, Scott, Maurizio Lombardi, Ravini, ”, “ Ripley, –, it’s, deceptions, Zaillian Organizations: CNN, New Yorker, Netflix Locations: Italy, Ripley, Flitting

☆ ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ review: Ewan McGregor traces Russian history from the prison of a hotel in Showtime series
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanning decades of Russian history from the confines of a luxury hotel, “A Gentleman in Moscow” provides another strong TV showcase for Ewan McGregor, this time playing opposite his wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. At the same time, the show manages to be quite funny and even romantic, nicely developing the other lives that Alexander touches. Plus, there’s the added kick of seeing McGregor and Winstead (who met shooting the third season of FX’s “Fargo”) sink their teeth into such juicy, flamboyant roles. And while Alexander might not be able to leave, viewers who voluntarily check into the Hotel Metropol will have plenty of reasons to enjoy their stay. “A Gentleman in Moscow” premieres March 29 on Paramount+ with Showtime and March 31 at 9 p.m.

Persons: Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, “ Obi, Wan, “, ” McGregor, Count Alexander Rostov, Alexander, Winstead, Johnny Harris, Joseph Stalin, Russia, McGregor Organizations: CNN, Moscow ”, Paramount, Showtime Locations: Moscow, Russian, Fargo

☆ ‘Manhunt’ review: Tobias Menzies stars in Apple’s bland Lincoln-assassination thriller
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —What sounds like an enticing historical thriller mostly falls flat in “Manhunt,” an Apple TV+ series about the frantic search for John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Anthony Boyle as John Wilkes Booth in "Manhunt." That’s especially true of Booth, through no fault of Boyle’s, who as written possesses less depth than his flamboyantly villainous mustache. “Manhunt” sounds promising on paper, only to mirror Apple’s even-splashier World War II series “Masters of the Air” by offering a meticulously produced window into the past that only fitfully gets off the ground. “Manhunt” premieres March 15 on Apple TV+.

Persons: John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln, James L, Edwin Stanton, Tobias Menzies, “, Outlander, ’, Booth, Anthony Boyle, Lincoln, Hamish Linklater, Samuel Mudd, Matt Walsh, detours, Menzies, Stanton, Andrew Johnson, Glenn Morshower, Honest Abe Organizations: CNN, Apple, Lincoln’s, Apple’s “, Ford’s Theatre Locations: Washington

☆ 2024 Review: Oscars hits and misses including best moments, performances and speeches
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Oscars faced the double whammy of starting an hour earlier and the switch to Daylight Savings Time. Video Ad Feedback See who Host Jimmy Kimmel thanked in his opening monologue at the Academy Awards 01:04 - Source: CNNBrevity (relatively, anyway). A clip of late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny is played onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California on March 10, 2024. Even with “Oppenheimer” nearly blotting out the sun, seven of the 10 best-picture nominees went home with at least something, with “Maestro,” “Past Lives” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” being the three that left empty-handed. Becky G performs during the 96th Academy Awards.

Persons: Ryan Gosling’s, “ Oppenheimer, ”, Christopher Nolan’s, Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone, Jessica Lange, Michelle Yeoh, Charlize, Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, Sally Field, Richard Harbaugh, A.M.P.A.S, Joy Randolph, He’s, Ken, Ryan Gosling, “ I’m, Ken ”, Emily Blunt, Barbie, Gosling, Jimmy Kimmel, Kimmel, helpfully, Alexey Navalny, Patrick T, Fallon, Jonathan Glazer’s, Mstyslav, Sen, Katie Britt, Donald Trump’s, “ Maestro, Hayao Miyazaki’s, John Cena’s, Becky G, Stewart Cook, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton Organizations: CNN, Savings, International Alliance, Alliance, Television Producers, Getty Locations: Hollywood , California, AFP, Gaza, Russian, Mariupol, Ukraine

☆ Oscars 2024: ‘Barbie’ might be the belle of the ball, but it looks like ‘Oppenheimer’s’ night
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —If you drink every time someone mentions “Barbie” at this Sunday’s Oscars, you probably won’t be awake to see the best picture category presented, even with the show’s earlier start time. Yet while the year’s biggest box-office winner will get plenty of attention – due in part to its much-debated “snubs” – the 96th Academy Awards looks destined to be “Oppenheimer’s” night. While few superhero or genre movies have managed to break through (“Black Panther” being an exception), “Barbie’s” mix of stars and social commentary nabbed eight nominations, including best picture. The award-industrial complex’s fondness for smaller films, further fueled by their availability via streaming services, is evident in the other best picture contenders. Cillian Murphy accepts the Screen Actors Guild award for his starring role in "Oppenheimer," the heavy favorite on Oscar night.

Persons: “ Barbie ”, Barbie, ”, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Martin Mull, ” didn’t, “ Oppenheimer, Oscar, Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer, Matt Winkelmeyer, –, ” “ Maestro, Barbie ”, “ Maestro, Christopher Nolan, Robert Downey Jr, Kane, Love, Ryan ” Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, The Academy, Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, “, Netflix, South, Warner Bros, ABC Locations: France

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