Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour is a solid, true-crime debut for the talented actress. It should play well now that Netflix acquired it.

PLOT: The true story of an actress (Anna Kendrick) who, in the seventies, went on The Dating Game and was matched with Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), who was later revealed to be a serial killer that may have murdered up to 130 women.

REVIEW: The story behind Woman of the Hour is pretty wild, even as far as true crime goes. While the movie takes several significant liberties with her story, a young actress named Cheryl Bradshaw really did go on The Dating Game in 1978 and chose serial killer Rodney Alcala as her match. While the premise is thin, as there wasn’t much to Bradshaw’s interactions with Alcala beyond the show, Anna Kendrick, who makes her directorial debut from a Black List script by Ian MacAllister McDonald, has put together a chilling film.

Much of the film enters around Alcala’s murder spree, focusing on the young women he won over with his considerable charm (which is why he did well on The Dating Game) and eventually killed. It’s a similar technique to the one Ryan Murphy used in American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace in that it humanizes the victims and gives them a voice. It also never glamorizes Alcala or lingers on his crimes, tastefully cutting away before the killings happen (it’s not that kind of movie).

It’s a pretty assured debut for Kendrick, who also keeps herself merely part of the ensemble rather than the focus. Cheryl’s story is essential, but much of the film is centered around Zovatto’s Alcala, with his warm smile and good looks hiding the monster underneath. While certain aspects stretch the premise a little, such as Cheryl’s brother’s girlfriend in the Dating Game audience being someone whose friend was murdered by Alcala, it’s a well-paced and thought-out film.

Much of the plot revolves around a common truth found in many other true crime stories of the era, mainly that people’s concerns weren’t always taken seriously by the police. Kendrick does a good job depicting the casual sexism of the period, with Tony Hale wearing a hideous wig, making his seventies game show host a real sleaze. Kendrick portrays Cheryl as a woman desperate to please, as being an actress, she doesn’t want to be labeled difficult. However, she comes into her own during a fictionalized bit where she goes on a date with Alcala. The men aren’t all two-dimensional either, with the sleaziest contestant on the show trying to warn Cheryl about the bad vibes he’s picking up from Alcala at one point.

Despite working with a limited budget, Kendrick’s done an excellent job evoking the era with its hideous fashions and decor. Despite Alcala’s crimes making for pretty grim fare, Kendrick never makes the film too dour and isn’t afraid to have a little fun depicting the cheesiness of The Dating Game. She also does some interesting stuff visually, with the movie shot in scope by DP Zach Kuperstein and having a nicely atmospheric score by Dan Romer. One thing worth noting is that TIFF had several films by actors turned directors this year. As Michael Keaton’s terrific Knox Goes Away, the supporting cast is given a chance to shine here, with Zovato crafting a nuanced portrayal of Alcala that, while never shying away from the fact that he was a monster, makes us understand how he could seduce women.

Woman of the Hour was the first big sale of TIFF this year, with it snapped up by Netflix. Given their success with true crime, it was a wise purchase, especially if they can pair it with some of their non-fiction programming. I expect it to be a big hit for the streamer when it eventually comes out.

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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan confirms that Willem Dafoe won’t appear in the upcoming sequel.

The first trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was finally released this morning, just months before the sequel is slated to hit theaters. Most everyone has returned to reprise their roles, but there is one notable absence: Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, Aquaman’s mentor.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan confirmed that Willem Dafoe will not be making an appearance in the sequel. “Willem is not in this one, no,” Wan said. “Part of the reason was because his schedule did not work out for us. But what that allowed me to do was expand on Atlanna’s role. Atlanna in this one ultimately becomes Arthur’s advisor. Because Arthur’s not from this world, she helps him better understand the world and the politics of how things work.” Nuidis Vulko was a definite highlight of the first Aquaman movie for me, so it’s a little disappointing that Willem Dafoe won’t be back for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

“Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all,” reads the official synopsis for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. “This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.“

Jason Momoa stars as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will hit theaters on December 20th.

The King’s Man director Matthew Vaughn is rumored to be the top choice to direct the next James Bond movie.

Just as there are many actors said to be in the running to play James Bond, there are just as many directors supposedly being eyed to helm the next installment. Take this with a grain of salt for now, but according to scooper Daniel Richtman, Matthew Vaughn is rumored to be the “top choice” to direct the next James Bond movie.

Matthew Vaughn has come up in regards to directing James Bond before, but he’s previously said that he doesn’t think it would ever happen. “I don’t think the Bond people would touch me with a stick,” Vaughn told ScreenRant in 2021. “I don’t think- They don’t like me. I don’t know. You know, to be blunt. I love Bond. It’s obviously a huge influence on me… You wait till you see Argylle.” He obviously has plenty of experience in the spy genre with the Kingsman franchise, as well as the upcoming Argylle starring Henry Cavill.

Another director who has been in the James Bond rumor mill is Christopher Nolan, and while he’s said that it would be an “amazing privilege” to direct a Bond movie, he would also want total creative control. “You wouldn’t want to take on a film without being fully committed to what you bring to the table creatively,” Nolan said. “So as a writer, casting, everything — it’s a full package. You’d have to be really needed and wanted in terms of bringing the totality of what you bring to a character. Otherwise, I’m very happy to be first in line to see whatever they do.” I doubt Bond producer Barbara Broccoli would want to cede that kind of control to anyone, even Nolan.

Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle stars Henry Cavill as a “world-class spy suffering from amnesia who is tricked into believing he is a best-selling spy novelist. After his memories and lethal skills return, he goes down a path of revenge against the shadowy organization he used to work for, the Division.” The film is set to hit theaters on February 2, 2024 and will be released on Apple TV+ at a later date.

Would you like to see Matthew Vaughn direct the next James Bond movie?

Bad Boys 4 directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah tease “way more comedy” in the upcoming action sequel.

Nearly twenty years after the release of Bad Boys II, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprised their roles of Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett in Bad Boys for Life. The film was a big success, and the studio quickly got the ball rolling on a sequel. Bad Boys 4 actually started shooting this spring with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah returning to direct. Although the production had to pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the directors spoke on The Playlist’s The Discourse podcast to tease what to expect from Bad Boys 4.

Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah didn’t say much, but they did say that Bad Boys 4 will have a lighter tone than its predecessor. “I think that there’s going to be way more comedy,” El Arbi said. “The third one had the dramatic tone. With this one, it’s really our purpose to get people laughing and having a good time in the theater. Martin [Lawrence] is going to a higher level in this one. This is the culmination of the Marcus Burnett arc.“

He also touched upon the possible title of the new movie. “Well, you know, the title that we like – I don’t know that they’re going to go for it yet – would be like ‘Bad Boys Ride or Die’ because ‘Bad Boys 4 Life’ is already taken,” El Arbi said. “We didn’t know there was going to be a fourth one, you know?” Although I normally can’t stand when movies use numbers in the title (I’m looking at you Scre4m), Bad Boys 4 Life would have worked.

In addition to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Bad Boys 4 will feature the return of a number of actors from previous movies, including Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, and Paola Núñez. New additions to the cast include Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, and Rhea Seehorn. Tasha Smith is also onboard to play Marcus Burnett’s wife, replacing Theresa Randle, who played the character in the first three movies in the franchise.

Bad Boys 4 is slated to hit theaters on July 14, 2024.

PLOT: While on an early retirement, famed private detective Hercule Poirot finds himself lured back into the world of mysteries. Specifically one fueled by the occult and invisible haunts that go bump in the night.

REVIEW: Kenneth Branagh’s cinematic career began with the Bard. The director’s debut was his bold take on William Shakespeare’s Henry V. The film garnered massive buzz, leading to an Academy Award nomination for his performance and directorial efforts. The praise was so impressive that Branagh was awarded the BAFTA for Best Director. He followed up his early career with a feature film version of Much Ado About Nothing a few years later. And now, with the recent Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and the upcoming A Haunting in Venice, the man who reawakened Shakespeare is bringing us the gifts of an Agatha Christie cinematic universe. Let’s see if this flick knows how to haunt.

It is post-World War II in Venice. Famed private detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) is enjoying an early retirement. However, something has pulled him back in. His dear friend Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) convinces him to entertain in a mysterious seance conducted by the enigmatic Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh), and a small series of murders occur. The suspects – and victims – include a mother who lost her daughter (Kelly Reilly), a troubled doctor (Jamie Dornan) and his son (Jude Hill), and, of course, Mrs. Reynolds, Ms. Oliver, and Mr. Poirot himself. Will the legendary detective finally believe in ghosts after all? Or is someone playing a few spooky tricks to frighten those in attendance?

From the first shot, A Haunting in Venice sets up the mysterious element of this ghostly tale. Once again, Branagh takes a literary classic story and breathes energy and fun into the experience. Having appreciated the charms of Murder on the Orient Express, but less so with the recent Death on the Nile, I found this to be a step up. Venice manages to bring a sense of the paranormal into the equation with a few haunted house tropes that are surprisingly effective at times. That’s not to say this is a full-on horror show, far from it, but it successfully offers a few moments that may give some viewers a slight jolt. While the ghostly elements are kept simple, they work well enough to create something sinister in the story.

Regarding performances, I’ve always admired Branagh and his ability to do so much. It is challenging for a performer to direct himself, especially in a leading role. Thankfully, the actor side of Kenneth is superb. His Poirot remains an engaging take on this famous crime stopper. Unsurprisingly, the terrific Kelly Reilly and Jamie Dornan add so much depth to their roles. Ultimately, the two are especially sympathetic – to a point – and it only adds to the final reveal. The excellent Michelle Yeoh is also enjoying well-deserved success as of late. The actress isn’t required to do much here, but she makes it all work wonders. While it seems light on the star power as opposed to the past couple of films, A Haunting in Venice may be the most satisfying of Branagh’s current love letters to Agatha Christie.

As well-directed and well-cast as it may be, the mystery isn’t all that mysterious. Some viewers just looking for a fun puzzle of a movie will be engaged by the charms of Fey and Branagh. And even if you are desperate to delve into a twisted mystery, you perhaps won’t get something too intricate with an Agatha Christie adaptation. Ultimately, Branagh has continued to bring the author into the modern era in a fun and delightful way. And frankly, I love taking classic works and giving them new life. Branagh’s talent for bringing older stories to modern audiences has always impressed me. And while his journey into Poirot may not be as awe-inspiring as his Henry V, it’s nice to see the classics explored in such an entertaining way.

A Haunting in Venice may not break new ground regarding classic mysteries on the big screen. Yet it certainly offers a fun and impressively shot feature with a near-perfect performance from Branagh. Jamie Dornan, Kelly Reilly, and Michelle Yeoh also add to the spooky tale centered around a haunted house. You’ll happily attend if you’ve found some entertainment in Branagh’s Christie-verse. Who knew classic mysteries could be so cool? Even if you aren’t a believer, this current flick offers a tasty sprinkle of the paranormal. If you are looking for an early Halloween treat, maybe this little ghost story will do the trick.

7

Although not entirely faithful to his vision, Stephen King says that Pet Sematary: Bloodlines still has a “fine” story.

It’s not only children that tell the truth after all…Author Stephen King has taken to social media to let people know that the upcoming prequel film Pet Sematary: Bloodlines isn’t entirely faithful to his original vision, as the scripts takes some “liberties” with the story.

Posting to X/Twitter this week, Stephen King gave a brief rundown of the upcoming Pet Sematary prequel: “BLOODLINES: In the book, this is the story Jud Crandall tells Louis Creed to try and dissuade him from using the Pet Sematary. The screenplay takes a few liberties, but it’s a fine story. David Duchovny is excellent. The secret, as always, is caring about the characters.” Preach it, Stevie!

Bloodlines follows “a young Jud Crandall in 1969, who has dreams of leaving his hometown behind but soon discovers sinister secrets buried within and is forced to confront a dark family history that will forever keep him connected to the town. Banding together, Jud and his childhood friends must fight an ancient evil that has gripped Ludlow since its founding and, once unearthed, has the power to destroy everything in its path.” Crandall was played by the great Fred Gwynne in the original Pet Sematary and later by John Lithgow in the 2019 adaptation.

It’s this version that Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is more closely linked to, as it’s specifically set 50 years before those events. Stephen King had no direct involvement with the 2019 film but turned out to be totally fine with some of the changes made from his 1983 novel, warning fans that it was indeed a “scary movie”. While we don’t know everything King thinks about Bloodlines, that he’s merely calling it “fine” might cause some to have suspicions on his true feelings. One thing is for sure, though: fans will be getting the blood that comes along with the story.

The first Pet Sematary, which Stephen King actually adapted himself, was released in 1989. He wisely avoided the 1992 sequel.

This month’s Fantastic Fest will host the premiere of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines before it hits Paramount+ just in time for Halloween on October 6th.