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Read previewIt took 16 years to make "The Crow" reboot, but now it's finally out, critics say the Bill Skarsgård-fronted comic book movie is "repulsive" and "unfathomably awful." "The Crow" was finally released on Thursday, and the reviews are terrible. The Guardian's Benjamin Lee described the reboot as "unfathomably awful," and criticized Skarsgård and Twigs' performance. However, that isn't always the case — especially for comic book movies. AdvertisementUnfortunately, "The Crow" appears to fall into that category rather than reaching the heights of the beloved 1994 movie.
Persons: , it's, Skarsgård, Eric Draven, Shelly, It's, James O'Barr's, Brandon Lee, Draven, Jason Momoa, Luke Evans, Bradley Cooper, Eric, Kirsty Puchko, David Rooney, Witney Seibold, Benjamin Lee, Christopher Nolan's, isn't Organizations: Service, Business, Lionsgate, Hollywood, Witney Locations: Hollywood
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "The Fall Guy." But by the end of the movie, director David Leitch blesses us with one more big-name star: Jason Momoa. "The Fall Guy" is set around the production of a big-budget sci-fi epic titled "Metalstorm," which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson's character, Tom Ryder, and is directed by Emily Blunt's character, Jody Moreno. AdvertisementRyan Gosling and Emily Blunt in "The Fall Guy." "The Fall Guy" is in theaters now.
Persons: Guy, David Leitch, , Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, Stephanie Hsu, Aaron Taylor, Johnson, Jason Momoa, Tom Ryder, Emily Blunt's, Jody Moreno, Ryan Gosling's, Colt Seavers, Ryder, Moreno, Leitch's, Jason, Conan, Leitch, " Leitch, Momoa, Brad Pitt, Hobbs, Shaw, Kevin Hart, Channing Tatum, Ryan Reynolds Organizations: Service, Universal Sporting Locations: Australia, New Zealand
Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson and director Sam Taylor-Johnson have been married since 2012. AdvertisementActor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 33, and director Sam Taylor-Johnson, 57, have been together for more than a decade. 2009: Aaron proposes to Sam after wrapping the filmSam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in September 2009. February 2017: Aaron says that the public's fixation on their relationship is 'intrusive'Sam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in April 2014. March 2021: It's reported that Sam and Aaron will team up for another film togetherSam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in February 2019.
Persons: Aaron Taylor, Johnson, Sam Taylor, Aaron, Sam, , Here's, John Lennon, Dave M, née Taylor, Wood, Jay Jopling, Anjelica, Jessie Phoenix, Anjelica Jopling, John Lennon's, Julia, Harper's, Sam I'd, , Mike Marsland, IndieWire, Pascal Le Segretain, I'm, We've, Aaron didn't, Simon Hattenstone, Hattenstone, Jonathan Ross, Sam's, Wylda Rae, Peter Kramer, Wylda, R.E.M, Romy Hero, Sang Tan, Taylor, Johnson Sam Taylor, Stewart Wilson, London's, Jordan Strauss, We're, Charles Sykes, Anna Karenina, Aaron Johnson, Angus, Thongs, Tom Ford's, Eric Charbonneau, Jesus, Romy, Joel Ryan, Aaron gushes, Mr Porter, Benjamin Button, she's, HBD, Zoë Kravitz, Karl Glusman's, aron, ohnson, aron T aylor-, aid., ames, ieces', ike, elationship, aron d anced, ong, rowe, eing, ove ✍ 🏼 f, m., Jo, " Sony, ted the of, tarr, Aaron T aylor, ady, roper, I w, hie Turner, elebr, 0s, I, cott, Adve, , ', hou Organizations: Service, Nowhere, Hollywood Reporter, The Telegraph UK, Sunday Times UK, Telegraph UK, The Telegraph, Guardian, Globe, New York Magazine, Hollywood, Artist &, ust, ici, ntr Locations: Jopling, Liverpool, London, Somerset, England, Phoenix, Paris, ife, gan
Opinion: The one thing Biden and Trump agree on
  + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +17 min
We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. That reference to Election Day is perhaps the only line in Trump’s speech that President Joe Biden would agree with. In another America, they would be collegial members of the Presidents Club, bonding over memories of how they overcame their thorniest challenges. “Biden sounded like he’s ready to go toe to toe with former President Donald Trump and win in November. Paul Sracic noted that Biden lost White voters without college degrees by 35 points in 2020.
Persons: CNN — “, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Franklin D, Biden, , Lincoln, Roosevelt’s, Trump, Joe Biden’s, , Jill Filipovic, Clay Jones, David Gergen, Daniel McCarthy, , ” “ Biden, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, wasn’t, ” Carrie Sheffield, ” Sheffield, “ Joe Biden, Roxanne Jones, “ Biden, Julian Zelizer, White, Paul Sracic, MAGA, Keith L, Magee, Patrick T, Brown, Dobbs, Roe, Wade, , Bill Bramhall, Nick Anderson, Manisha Sinha, ” “, Abraham Lincoln, SCOTUS, Anderson, ” Sinha, Frida Ghitis, David Mark, Trump Drew Sheneman, CNN “, Cupp, Hillary Clinton, “ deplorables, ” Cupp, Bill McGuire, Jason Momoa, Ed Mierzwinski, Elena Sheppard, Kara Alaimo, It’s, Euny Hong, Greta Gerwig’s, Sandra, O’Connor, Jason Kelce, Matt Rourke, Jason Kelce’s, Amy Bass, “ Kelce, ” Bass, Jason, ” Dana Summers, Errol Louis, Liam Kerr, Sinema, Richard Salgado, Levinson Moriarty, Celine Song, Greta Gerwig, Barbie, Justine Triet, Alberto Rodriguez, Jaap Buitendijk, Kate Green, “ Oppenheimer, Noah Berlatsky, “ Barbie, “ It’s, ” Berlatsky, Barbie ’, Bradley Cooper’s, Maestro ’, Christopher Nolan’s ‘ Oppenheimer, clichés, Alexander Payne’s ‘, Organizations: CNN, Super, GOP, Trump, Union, Presidents Club, , Democratic, Twitter, Agency, Tribune, Supreme, Republican Party of, MSNBC, Consumer Financial, US Chamber of Commerce, US, Jason Kelce Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Pro, Bowl, White, Warner Bros, Everett, Getty Locations: America, Joe Biden’s State, Trump, Washington, United States, Civil, American, New York City, Chicago, Denver, , Paris, France
Read previewAnya-Taylor Joy's cameo in "Dune: Part Two" only last a few seconds, but it could lead to something bigger if Warner Bros. gives the go-ahead for "Dune: Part Three." Anya Taylor-Joy plays Alia Atreides in 'Dune: Part Two'Anya Taylor-Joy at the "Dune: Part Two" New York premiere and Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica. Alia Atreides could replace her brother in 'Dune: Part Three'Timothée Chalamet in "Dune: Part Two." Or Villeneuve could just chalk up the accelerated aging to the spooky space-witch magic of Lady Jessica and the Bene Gesserit. So there's plenty of plot twists for Taylor-Joy to explore as Alia if "Dune: Part Three" gets off the ground.
Persons: , Anya, Taylor, Paul Atreides, Baron Harkonnen, Stellan, Shaddam Corrino, Christopher Walken, Paul, Lady Jessica, Rebecca Ferguson, — who's, she's, Joy, Anya Taylor, Alia Atreides, Jessica, Kristina Bumphrey, Alia, Arrakis, Villeneuve, Frank Herbert, Baron, He's, Emperor, Leto, Duncan Idaho, Jason Momoa, Gross, that's Organizations: Service, Warner Bros, Business, York, Getty Images
A general view of Super Bowl signage displayed in the NFL Super Bowl Experience ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on February 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Super Bowl 58 kicks off at 6:30 p.m. The Super Bowl is advertising's biggest stage, with companies jockeying for a limited supply of spots to get their products in front of millions of consumers. Even as linear ad revenue slips, companies know there's no opportunity guaranteed to reach more people than the Super Bowl. — Amelia Lucas, Michael Wayland, Micah Washington, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Lorie Konish, Drew Richardson and Jordan Novet contributed to CNBC's Super Bowl coverage.
Persons: Bob Iger, Jason Momoa, Quinta Brunson, Jenna Ortega, Tina Fey, Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Addison Rae, Usher, — Amelia Lucas, Michael Wayland, Micah Washington, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Lorie Konish, Drew Richardson, Jordan Novet Organizations: NFL, Super, AFC, Kansas City Chiefs, NFC, San Francisco 49ers, Disney, CBS Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, Las Vegas, U.S
Los Angeles CNN —After Ben Affleck appeared as a Dunkin’ drive-thru worker in a Super Bowl commercial last year, the breakfast chain’s sales exploded. “They sold more donuts the next day than any other day in their history,” an individual close to the Dunkin’ Super Bowl campaign told CNN. Affleck was paid close to $10 million dollars for last year’s Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial, three sources with knowledge of the partnership told CNN. It’s rare for someone that you think of as a true movie star to be paid less than a million.”Most Super Bowl shoots are usually one to two days, the agent added. Even though we’ve got over 30 celebrities in the Super Bowl this year, we had over 70 offers.
Persons: Ben Affleck, Dunkin, , Affleck, ” Scott Murphy, Dunkin ’, Affleck’s Dunkin, Matt Damon, Larry David, Sam Bankman, David, Michael Lewis, Jennifer Aniston, , David Schwimmer, Uber, Chris Pratt, Pringles, Jason Momoa, Martin Scorsese, Tim Curtis, Peter DeLuca, Zach Braff, Donald Faison, John Travolta, Jennifer Beals, Tina Fey, John Cena, Usher, it’s, we’ve, Curtis, ” Curtis, “ You’ve, , Aniston, Schwimmer, Jelly Roll, David Beckham Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Bowl, , CNN, Boston, Equity, Eastern Congo Initiative, Artists Equity, Super, Hollywood, WME, Mobile, Super Bowl, BMW, CBS Locations: Hollywood, Victoria
Before the sequel to “Aquaman” was released in China last month, Warner Bros. did everything it could to sustain the original movie’s success. The Hollywood studio blanketed Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, with movie clips, behind-the-scenes footage and a video of an Aquaman ice sculpture at a winter festival in Harbin, a city in China’s northeast. It sent the franchise’s star, Jason Momoa, and director, James Wan, on a publicity tour in China — the type of barnstorming that had disappeared since the Covid pandemic. Mr. Momoa said China’s fondness for the first “Aquaman” was why the sequel was debuting in China two days before the U.S. release. “I’m very proud that China loved it, so that’s why we brought it to you, and you guys are going to see it before the whole world,” he said in an interview with CCTV 6, China’s state-run film channel.
Persons: , Douyin, Jason Momoa, James Wan, Momoa, Organizations: Warner Bros Locations: China, Harbin, China’s, U.S
The weekend performance of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is on par with Warner Bros.' DC franchise in recent years. "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" dog-paddled to a $28.1 million domestic opening, the fourth-lowest in the history of the DC Extended Universe. "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" added $80.1 million from international ticket sales Friday through Sunday, bringing its total expected global take to $120 million (including the domestic Christmas expectations for Monday). The first "Aquaman" also benefited from international ticket sales back in 2018. Fury of the Gods," "Blue Beetle," "The Flash" and "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" — all released after the announcement — would have no connection to future DC projects and were not must-see theatrical experiences.
Persons: Adam, Jason Momoa's, James Gunn, Peter Safran, Paul Dergarabedian Organizations: Warner Bros, DC, Warner Bros . Discovery, DC Studios Locations: Canada
It’s been a wonderful year at the movies for cinephiles, but what do you get for the film lover who has seen everything already? There are inspiration boards, script pages with handwritten annotations, correspondence with collaborators, as well as personal introductions to each film. They even have a section where you can choose films based on running time: Only have 90 minutes or less? Another special feature looks at the development of black and white 65mm film stock they pioneered for the film. Because this license plate has serious movie cred.’” It’s easily google-able, but we won’t spoil it here.
Persons: It’s, Barbie, Sofia Coppola, “ Sofia Coppola, Coppola, “ Priscilla, , she’s, Kirsten Dunst, Bill Murray, Tomasz Ruminski, Leszek Żebrowski ’, Andrzej Krajewski ’, thoughtfully, Parker Posey, Ozu, Ousmane Sembène, “ Hitchcock, Christopher Nolan’s “ Oppenheimer ”, Nolan, Kai Bird, Kip Thorne, Matt Singer, Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel, Siskel, Ebert, Singer, , Samuel L, Jackson, Cillian Murphy, Jason Momoa, Steven Soderbergh, it’s, Joanna Bush, Soderbergh, ” It’s Organizations: Sundance Film, Criterion, , Teamsters, NICE Locations: , Park City , Utah, Chicago
Hollywood jumped into planning mode Thursday at the news of a tentative agreement between striking actors and the major entertainment companies. Just hours after the tentative agreement was announced, “The Marvels” star Iman Vellani was already being offered to press for interviews. The Walt Disney Co. movie, which cost over $200 million to produce, opens this weekend with showtimes starting as early as Thursday afternoon. Searchlight Pictures also started actively planning things for Michael Fassbender, who stars in Taika Waititi's “Next Goal Wins,” out next week. Brunson’s writing team had already been back in the room, but the strike’s suspension clears the way for filming.
Persons: Hollywood, what's, Iman Vellani, Michael Fassbender, , Timothée Chalamet, Wonka ”, Jason Momoa, publicists, Joe Biden, ” Biden, , they’ve, Gavin Newsom, Simu Liu, “ Barbie, ” Lui, “ Bravo, ” Albert Brooks, Rob Reiner, “ Albert Brooks, Max, ” Brooks, ” Octavia Spencer, ” “ Abbott, Quinta Brunson, “ we’re, Justine Bateman, Priscilla ”, “ Ferrari, Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein, “ Maestro, Carey Mulligan, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Jeffrey Wright, Ridley Scott’s “ Napoleon, Joaquin Phoenix, Martin Scorsese’s, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert DeNiro, Alexander Payne’s “, Paul Giamatti, Annette Bening, Jodie Foster Organizations: Walt Disney Co, showtimes, Searchlight Pictures, Screen Actors, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, “ SAG, SAG, HBO Locations: California, Venice
(Dec. 22 in theaters)AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM Jason Momoa has to form an alliance with his brother (Patrick Wilson) to save Atlantis. Amber Heard and Nicole Kidman return for this DC sequel, along with the director James Wan. (Dec. 22 in theaters)MIGRATION A family of ducks — the Mallards — do what a lot of American families do: fly south for a winter getaway. Mike White, a long way from “The White Lotus,” wrote the screenplay for this animated feature, which has the voices of Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key, among others. (Dec. 22 in theaters)
Persons: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, , ” Will Gluck, Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, James Wan, Sean Durkin, Von Erich, Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Mike White, , Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Michael Key Organizations: Keegan
There are so many since wildfires killed 115 people in the historic town of Lahaina that Olsten is worried about a full-blown economic catastrophe. The day after the fire, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a quasi-state agency, said visitors on “non-essential travel are being asked to leave Maui” and that "non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged." People shouldn't go to Lahaina or the surrounding West Maui area — “It’s not a place to stare," Bissen said — but the rest of Maui needs tourists. The Hawaii Tourism Authority drafted and publicized a map showing Lahaina and West Maui in relation to the rest of the island, highlighting just how much was still open. It's not clear, however, when travel to West Maui will resume.
Persons: — Richie Olsten, Olsten, Mufi Hannemann, , Graeme Swain, Mara, Swain, Hali'imaile, , Gemma Alvior, they’re, “ Maui’s, Richard Bissen, shouldn't, Bissen, Jason Momoa, , Carl Bonham, It's, Bonham, ___ McAvoy Organizations: Airlines, Maui Helicopters, Air, Pilots, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, University of Hawaii, Hollywood, Hawaii Tourism Authority, , Revenues Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Lahaina, State, Maui, South Maui, San Diego, U.S, West Maui, Hollywood, , Manoa, Kaanapali, Honolulu
Lawsuits are piling up in court over liability for the inferno, and businesses across the island are fretting about the loss of tourism. Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier has repeatedly pleaded for patience as authorities try to verify who is missing, who has been accounted for and who has died. Among the lawsuits is one by Maui County accusing the utility of negligently failing to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. On Monday the father of a 57-year-old woman who died while trying to escape the fire filed suit against defendants including Maui County, the state and Hawaiian Electric. The state said it was reviewing it, and Hawaiian Electric declined to comment.
Persons: Richard Bissen, Joe Biden, John Pelletier, Josh Green, , ” ___, Sen, Brian Schatz, , Schatz, Green, Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne Johnson, ___, Jason Momoa, Steven Tyler, ” Tyler, ___ Johnson Organizations: Maui County Police, Police, FBI, Gov, Twitter, Hawaii Electric Company, Hawaii Electric, Electric, Representatives, Hawaiian Electric, Lawyers, Hawaii U.S, Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, . Environmental Protection Agency, Officials Locations: HONOLULU, Maui, Maui County, Lahaina, Hawaii, MAUI, Philadelphia, Seattle
"Dune: Part Two" has departed the 2023 box office slate amid dual Hollywood labor strikes that threaten its ability to market to the public. Box office analysts have long anticipated that the "Dune" sequel would ditch its 2023 release date amid the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes. Postponing "Dune: Part Two" might help bolster its box office gains in 2024, but will bite a chunk out of Warner Bros. After the stunning success of "Barbie," and with doubts growing about December's "Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom," "Dune: Part Two" was an important 2023 release for the studio and expected to perform well with audiences. Its predecessor excelled at the box office during the pandemic despite being a day-and-date release on streaming service HBO Max (now just called Max).
Persons: Denis Villeneuve, Christopher Walken, Stellan Skarsgard, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Barbie, HBO Max Organizations: Warner Bros ., Legendary Entertainment, Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, SAG, Alliance, Television Producers, WGA, Twitter, Warner Bros, HBO, Comcast, CNBC Locations: TikTok, NBCUniversal
The industry is Maui's "economic engine," generating 80% of its wealth, according to the island's economic development board. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings. Many are housing their employees and preparing to house evacuees and first-responders working on disaster recovery, according to the tourism authority. "Maui is not closed," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at the weekend press conference alongside the governor. Tour operators who continued to offer services in or around West Maui after the fires faced a flood of criticism.
Persons: Mike Blake, Jason Momoa, Maui, Josh Green, Green, Ilihia Gionson, Richard Bissen, Jack Richards, Rich McKay, Doyinsola Oladipo, Julia Harte, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism, U.S . Census, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Los, Thomson Locations: Wahikuli, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, West Maui, Maui County, Wailea, South Maui, Los Angeles
CNN —One of Hawaii’s biggest stars is expressing support in the midst of the lethal wildfires in Maui. “We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana on Maui who have been impacted by the recent wildfires,” the caption reads on one of Momoa’s posts, which reposted information from the community organization ‘Āina Momona. Momoa, who was born in in Honolulu, also reposted information that included a locator list for those searching for their loved ones. In his Instastories, the “Game of Thrones” and “Aquaman” star reposted information from organizations that are aiding in the disaster. “Survivors are the priority.”Momoa is a frequent booster of Hawaiian organizations that support its culture, environment and social activism.
Persons: Jason Momoa, , Momoa Organizations: CNN, American, & Lodging Association, Hawaii Hotel Alliance Locations: Maui, Honolulu, Hawaii
LOS ANGELES, June 1 (Reuters) - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is returning for an as yet untitled “Fast & Furious” movie as Luke Hobbs, the actor announced on Twitter on Thursday, after bowing out of the successful franchise in 2021 due to differences with star Vin Diesel. loading“Hobbs is back in the Fast and Furious franchise,” Johnson said in a video message from Hawaii, wearing a lei. “The next Fast & Furious film you’ll see the legendary lawman in will be the HOBBS movie that will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for FASTX: Part II,” he added. The "Fast & Furious" franchise has collected more than $7 billion at global box offices, making it the fifth-highest-grossing franchise of all time. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve - and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love,” he said in his post.
Persons: Dwayne, Johnson, Luke Hobbs, Vin Diesel, Hobbs, ” Johnson, HOBBS, Diesel, Jason Momoa, Mario, We’ll, , Moana, Chris Morgan, Danielle Broadway, Mary Milliken, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Twitter, FASTX, Mario Bros, Diesel, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, Hawaii
Vin Diesel Photo: Universal StudiosSending a film critic to pass judgment on a “Fast & Furious” movie is like sending a food critic to rate the fried Twinkies at the town carnival. Nor am I in the target audience for these films, though if they ever make one called “The Flabby and the Phlegmatic,” I’ll have lots of insights. Still, duty calls me to give an honest appraisal of “Fast X,” and here it is: What the Ford was all of that?
Summer movie preview 2023
  + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +12 min
CNN —Most moviegoers can pinpoint one summer movie – or perhaps, a summer of movies – in their formative years that really and truly cemented their love for going to the cinema, whether it be 1975’s “Jaws,” “E.T. And while streaming has clearly siphoned off part of the audience, particularly for more serious films, what we think of as “summer movies” still have the potential to rake in cash just like the old days. (CNN and DC are both part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Courtesy Warner Bros. PicturesInitially meant for streaming platforms, this vehicle will herald the cinematic arrival of DC Studios’ first Latino superhero, played by Xolo Maridueña of “Cobra Kai” and “Parenthood” fame. If the fast-paced trailer is any indication, the movie looks sure to whisk those dog days of summer doldrums away quite nicely.
The Sundance Film Festival was back in person for the first time since 2020. In five days I saw eight films, and while I'm not a critic, I can affirm that not one of them was a clunker. Asked about the film's aspect ratio in an audience Q&A, Jalali said, "It was prettier that way." The bulk of the films I saw were more commercial, and four of them centered on relationships. And then there was "Cat Person," based on a 2017 New Yorker story about dating by Kristen Roupenian.
The Sundance Film Festival was back in person for the first time since 2020. A-list stars like Anne Hathaway and Jason Momoa were present to promote their buzzy films. It was impossible not to feel optimistic about the state of independent film at the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival. In five days I saw eight films, and while I'm not a critic, I can affirm that not one of them was a clunker. At an event like Sundance, even amid some hand-wringing over the future, the excitement is contagious.
CNN —A movie about dreams becomes the stuff of nightmares in Netflix’s utterly misguided “Slumberland,” an attempt to build a sprawling fantasy adventure from the bones of the early-20th-century newspaper comic strip. Most notable as a vehicle for Jason Momoa, this wannabe spectacle from “The Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence serves up lots of special effects desperately in search of a story. The realm of dreams is described as “a world with no consequence,” but as constructed, that comes in a movie with no clear creative compass, proving more mystifying than magical. Along the way, they run afoul of something called the Bureau of Subconscious Activities, a surreal bureaucracy that sees Flip as an outlaw. Those attributes feel wasted, however, in the surreal confines of “Slumberland,” which, as amusement-park-type names go, doesn’t even qualify as a nice place to visit.
Editor’s Note: The following contains minor spoilers about “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”CNN —In “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the aquatic adversary known as Namor wastes no time establishing himself as one of those beguiling but strange characters that can polarize an audience: the ocean-dwelling deity uses conch shells like smartphones and has feathered wings on his ankles. (CNN, DC Films and Warner Bros, which produced “Aquaman,” are part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Also known as the Sub-Mariner, Namor first appeared in comics in 1939, while DC’s Aquaman debuted in 1941. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” also had the daunting task of presenting Namor’s origins in a way that swam clear of those seen in “Aquaman,” and of doing it a movie not meant to operate solely as an origin story. But before that happens, and thanks to Mejía’s nuanced performance in “Wakanda Forever,” Namor should be able to avoid many more comparisons to other oceanic demigods, and ride his own wave into the future.
CNN —Jason Momoa’s real-life pet pig didn’t end up making it to the premiere of “Slumberland.”The actor attended the premiere in Los Angeles on Wednesday, where he told Entertainment Tonight that though he had hoped to bring the pig to the event, his little pig stayed home. He’s a wild boar, so I couldn’t bring him with me,” said Momoa, who instead posed on the red carpet with a stuffed animal. “I think it would’ve been pretty gnarly, though.”In “Slumberland,” Momoa plays an eccentric outlaw named Flip, who guides young orphan (Marlow Barkley) and her toy-pig-turned-real through a world of dreams. Momoa revealed earlier this month that he had adopted a pig after filming with it. Momoa was at last updating picking a name for his new pet – torn between Lau Lau and Manapua.
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