The first trailer for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has just dropped, and it looks pretty interesting.
Here’s the synopsis of the movie:
A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.
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Former Head of Television at Warner Bros Australia, Shaun Murphy, has just announced the launch of television and film production company Big Owl Pictures, backed by private equity group, Balance Vector. Murphy will serve as CEO and Executive Producer.
The new outfit will develop and produce all genres of unscripted content, as well as select scripted and film projects for domestic platforms and the international marketplace, bringing a new wave of content into the global arena.
Murphy brings an unrivalled mix of experience to the company, from his three-year tenure as Executive Producer at Shine Australia and six years as Head of Television at Warner Bros Australia where he was responsible for executing The Masked Singer, The Bachelor, First Dates, Who Do You Think You Are, Back In Time For Dinner, Celebrity Apprentice, The Bachelorette, Little Big Shots, Dancing With The Stars and many more. He also executive produced Australia’s Next Top Model, Dying For Everest, the syndicated Coolfuel Roadtrip and produced the Emmy-nominated Crips & Bloods: Made In America.
Murphy said: “Whether it’s an intimate story or a giant global format, at Big Owl we’ll look at everything as a story that can be built into something magnificent. Our strategic partnership with Balance Vector, led by the phenomenal Steve Luczo, gives us access to a vast array of content ideas to explore across sport, property, communications, tech and talent.”
Balance Vector founder and former Chairman & CEO of Seagate Technology Steve Luczo said: “Shaun is a world-class content creator & leader, with his teams known for executing to the highest of quality. Having worked on content previously with Shaun and seeing him and his teams supercharge so many of the world’s great formats, we’re excited to see the team grow its slate and be part of the Big Owl adventure.”
“With Shaun’s leadership style and such a great depth of creative talent in Australia, we look forward to working with the best producers and link with the best global partners, to bring Big Owl to life.”
Big Owl Pictures will announce its executive team and new projects in the coming months. Balance Vector will take a stake in Big Owl and Luczo will act as Senior Advisor to the company.
Murphy said: “Steve and Balance Vector have a truly global outlook in all that they do. With Big Owl’s creative drive and BV’s expansive view of partnerships, we look forward to creating a powerhouse company together.”
STUDIOCANAL and Working Title Films today confirm that cross-cultural British rom-com WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? will receive its World Premiere at the 47th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. The film will screen as a Gala Presentation at the Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, 10th September.
Directed by Shekhar Kapur(ELIZABETH) andwritten by Jemima Khan, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? stars the Primetime Emmy® Award nominated Lily James (PAM & TOMMY, BABY DRIVER, DARKEST HOUR, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, REBECCA), Shazad Latif (STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, PENNY DREADFUL, PROFILE, TOAST OF LONDON), Shabana Azmi (HALO, FIRE, RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST, IT’S A WONDERFUL AFTERLIFE, CITY OF JOY, MADAME SOUSATZKA), Sajal Aly (YAKEEN KA SAFAR, MOM, ALIF) andAcademy Award® and BAFTA winnerEmma Thompson(MATILDA, GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE, CRUELLA, SAVING MR BANKS). The film also stars Asim Chaudhry (BLACK MIRROR: BANDERSNATCH, PEOPLE JUST DO NOTHING, THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN, THE SANDMAN), Jeff Mirza (ETERNALS, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT), Mim Shaikh (FINDING DAD, INFORMER, PLS LIKE, KING GARY), Iman Boujelouah, Mariam Haque (FINDING ALICE, HOMELAND, FLOWERS) and Sindhu Vee (MATILDA, STARSTRUCK, FEEL GOOD).
The film is produced by Nicky Kentish Barnes (ABOUT TIME, ABOUT A BOY), Jemima Khan (IMPEACHMENT: AMERICAN CRIME STORY, THE CLINTON AFFAIR, THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED, WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS) & her Instinct Productions, alongside Working Title Films’ Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award-winning and Mercury Prize nominated composer, Nitin Sawhney CBE has created the music for the film, with British-Pakistani record producer, DJ, songwriter, and musician Naughty Boy bringing his production and writing skills to the soundtrack, alongside three-time BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominee, Joy Crookes. Kanika Kapoor and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will also feature on the soundtrack, with Rahat appearing in the film itself.
STUDIOCANAL is fully financing and will release in their own territories – the UK, France, Germany, Australia & New Zealand – and are selling the film worldwide.
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? is set to be released in Australian cinemas on February 2nd 2023.
Synopsis
How do you find lasting love in today’s world? For documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr Wrongs, to her eccentric mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For Zoe’s childhood friend and neighbour Kaz (Shazad Latif), the answer is to follow his parents’ example and opt for an arranged (or “assisted”) marriage to a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his hopeful journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a profoundly different approach to finding love.
Not sure if this disqualifies me from reviewing this film, but I gotta be honest, I never saw the original “Top Gun.” I know it was a big deal for a lot of people. It was probably a lot of people’s favorite movie, and it’s immortalized in nostalgia and yadda, yadda. Either way, I never saw it, and I didn’t know how important or necessary it was for this film since not everyone sequel relies on previous installments for their story material. I know that Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer were both in the original; they are in this new one, and it is apparently being toted as an even BIGGER, more successful deal than the first film was. “Top Gun: Maverick” is a big deal, and I don’t think anyone expected that even the fans of the original film, so let’s find out why.
Taking place 30 years after the first film, Maverick (Tom Cruise) returns to the US Navy air-born weapons school to serve as an instructor to a new team of recruits who are entering the same program, he and fellow wingman Iceman (Val Kilmer) were apart of years ago. Among the many challenging oppositions from his superiors questioning his teaching methods, Maverick also faces the grim position of instructing Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Mile Teller); the son of his deceased best friend ‘Goose.’ Now Maverick has to overcome these barriers and bring these new cadets up to speed for a new generation to take over the legacy of the TOPGUN program.
Without seeing the original film, one thing I definitely surmise as a highlight is Tom Cruise. Even when he’s playing a character from 30 years ago that I never grew up with or got attached to, I can tell he is bringing his A-game and making the most of this role and this film, and that is an infectious form of charm and energy. Cruise walks, talks and lives this role as if he’s always been playing this character during the entire 30-year gap between the two films. He comes back with natural excellence that inspires a fascination with every line, every snap back at a superior officer, or interaction with a trainee. Whether you have seen the first one or not, the level of dedication that was put into this film can be felt. There is effort, style, and hard work diligently being worked into its development, and even I have to applaud that.
Cruise is famous for doing his own stunts and making them as realistic (and often dangerous) as possible, and “Maverick” is no exception. The film puts you right into the cockpits and makes you feel every turn, spin, and launch off with the camera views and intense visual captures of the fighter jet sequences. It reminded me of a more realistic, better-portrayed version of the fighter plane sequence in “Independence Day,” minus the aliens. Behind-the-scenes reports indicate that all the flight training was real and showed on everyone’s facial expressions. You truly feel the need for speed, and it’s a well-executed experience that makes you feel like you are a part of it.
Unfortunately, all the finesse and style don’t help if you don’t give a damn about your cast, and sadly…I REALLY didn’t give a damn about this cast. Maverick’s trainees feel like a smushed-together group of rando’s meant to fill quotas and demographic carts than actual character arcs. They don’t feel like the next generation of anything; hell, I even forgot their supposed cool trademark codenames the minute I left the theater. The most problematic aspect easily galls to Goose’s sun, Rooster/Miles Teller. The character is irritatingly obnoxious to the point I wanted to slap that laughably fake-looking mustache off his ugly tanned face. If that stache is real, then it just proves that Teller can’t grow a mustache anymore than he can act. I didn’t care for his deal with Maverick, his past, or him or anyone else involved in the team, period.
Overall, “Top Gun: Maverick” will no doubt supremely please fans of the original with flying colors. The attention to detail, incredible flight scenes, and heart-filled effort from Cruise will satisfy any moviegoer looking for something fun to experience, and that’s an impressive feat for a 30-year-old sequel. The rest of the cast is as forgettable as they are pointless, they feel like stock photo inclusions rather than fleshed-out characters, and Miles Teller’s performance and subplot as Goose’s son go absolutely nowhere except in the back of my mind where it will be immediately forgotten. If you’re a “Top Gun” fan, this will be a must-see for you, but if you’re not, then I don’t think you’ll miss out on much if you let this one fly past you.
We give “Top Gun: Maverick” 2 stars out of 4 stars.
Badass Hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is back to face his most lethal adversaries yet in the series’ fourth installment.
In the upcoming fourth installment of the series, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes on his most lethal adversaries. With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.
Release Date: 23 March 2023 Cast: Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fishburne, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Scott Adkins, Natalia Tena, and Clancy Brown Directed By: Chad Stahelski Produced By: Chad Stahelski, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee Written By: Shay Hatten, Michael Finch Based On: Characters by Derek Kolstad
From Toy Story to Despicable Me, a new study has revealed the greatest movie franchises of all time, perfect for a holiday binge-watch.
The study by Uswitch analysed combined scores from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic, along with box office revenue and profitability, to reveal the highest (& lowest) rated movie franchises of all time.
The Toy Story Series is the highest-rated franchise, with an average franchise score of 7.79 across its four films. Toy Story follows the adventures of a group of toys who spring to life when humans cannot see them, getting themselves into and out of trouble.
Finding Nemo continues the trend of children’s animated series being the top-rated movie franchises, with an average franchise rating of 7.70 over its two-film run. Finding Nemo tells the incredible story of a father searching the big blue ocean for his lost son, who was captured by a human fish collector.
Rounding off the top three is the Incredibles (7.57/100). The Incredibles follows the life of a family of superheroes who have to go into hiding following public outcry at their actions.
The research also revealed the lowest-rated movie franchises:
Rank
Franchise
Average Franchise Score
1
Twilight
2.93
2
Fast and the Furious
3.18
3
Pirates of the Caribbean
3.42
4
Jumanji
3.54
5
X-Men
4.00
Twilight, the lowest-rated franchise on the list, earned an average movie score of just 2.93 across its five films. The series has received heated criticism over the years; however, despite criticism, the sequels raked in profits of over $400 million dollars each.
Australia’s first locally commissioned content for Disney+, “Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW,” will premiere on the platform on 24 August 2022.
“Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW” takes viewers on a raw and emotional journey into the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of the groundbreaking AFLW league. In this six-part series, we discover the courageous pioneers who were told they could never play Australian Rules football at the highest level and made it happen. From farmers to factory workers to paramedics, be amazed at the level of sacrifice and commitment required by this diverse group of athletes who are building an enduring legacy. The series spotlights four clubs – Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, GWS GIANTS, and Western Bulldogs – with access to the game’s inner sanctum, which is both confronting and inspiring. Cameras were rolling in April 2022, capturing the historic victory of the Adelaide Crows – taking their third AFLW premiership. Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company in Australia and New Zealand, said: “Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW is the first of our nine Australian originals set to premiere this year and next. We’re thrilled to be bringing to Disney+ this world-first look at the AFLW and the powerhouse movement it has become for women in sport. The documentary celebrates the journey of trailblazing women – some of the first to play Australian Rules Football professionally. The documentary showcases extraordinary women who are paving the way for future generations and chasing football glory in their own unique ways.” Kylie Rogers, Executive General Manager Customer & Commercial, AFL, said: “Over the last six seasons of the NAB AFLW competition, our remarkable W players have captured the hearts and minds of footy fans all over the world with the pure joy and determination in which they approach their footy. “The Disney+ team captures the essence of AFLW in Fearless – it’s a mixture of pure emotion, hard-hitting footy, and all the highs and lows that the world of football offers – and we get front-row seats to it all. We’re thrilled to have worked with the Disney+ team in bringing this documentary series to life.” Executive Producer Anne-Maree Sparkman said: “It is always magical and a true honour to be invited into the inner sanctum, but none of us could have dared hope for the rich rewards of this documentary series. “Following four teams over an entire season, we know everyone will be captivated by our footballers’ dedication, bravery, humour and raw emotions,” she added. The Adelaide Crows are the benchmark of the competition. This team has already won two premierships and after a surprise grand final loss in 2021, are ready for redemption. The Collingwood Magpies are one of Australia’s most powerful and successful sporting franchises, but so far, the women’s team has no silverware to show off. The pressure is on for this talented team to go all the way, but a season ending injury to their biggest star is a shattering start to the new season. The Western Bulldogs is a young, fun, energetic club with a belief that they have the makings of a dynasty within their ranks. Coached by AFL Hall of Famer, Nathan Burke, this team is all about the sisterhood both on and off the field, but this turns out to be a torrid season that will test their belief. After being struck down by Covid, their fightback is uplifting, and their iconic victory celebrations are unforgettable. The Greater Western Sydney Giants are trying to win hearts and minds in an address that is dominated by the rugby league code. With champion recruits from the Gaelic football league in Ireland and cast offs from Victorian clubs, this team needs to bond and find a way to become winners. Still recovering from the tragic death of one of their teammates last year, this team is trying to turn despair into hope. “Fearless: the Inside Story of the AFLW” is produced by Jam TV and directed by Michael Venables (“MasterChef Australia”, “Australian Survivor”). Anne-Marie Sparkman (Executive Producer “Network Nine Wide World of Sports”, “Paramedics”, “Bondi Vet”) serves as executive producer, with Becky Taylor as series producer.
“Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW” is the first of Disney+ Australia’s local production slate for 2022/23, featuring nine titles spanning scripted drama, documentaries, lifestyle and factual entertainment genres.
Graeme-Evans’ company, Millennium Pictures, co-founded with Andrew Blaxland, will develop a slate of scripted projects together with Dreamchaser.
Endeavor Content-backed production and distribution TV studio Dreamchaser has added to its growing roster of talent by signing amulti-year development and production deal with prolific novelist and producer, Posie Graeme-Evans, the creator behind Nine Network’s hit series “Mcleod’s Daughters”.
Joining as Executive Producer, Partner: Scripted, Graeme-Evans’ Millennium Pictures will develop and produce a slate of new scripted projects for the studio. Dreamchaser will serve as EP on all projects and take them out internationally.
The highly anticipated drama “The McLeods of Drovers Run” is already in advanced development under the new partnership. Penned by Graeme-Evans, the prequel to the hit 2001 series received early support from the Tasmanian Government through Screen Tasmania.
Joint CEOs Marks and Fennessy said: “We’ve both had the opportunity to work with Posie in the past and can’t wait to help her bring to life this next evolution of her extraordinary creative vision. Her slate of distinctive and ambitious projects is exactly the sort of opportunity that Dreamchaser aims to deliver, and with the support of our colleagues from Endeavor Content, we can’t wait to get going on this journey with Posie.”
Graeme-Evans said: “The chance to work on projects we adore with Hugh, Carl and their hugely creative team? Who could resist? Not us. Absolutely thrilled to the max.”
Graeme-Evans created and produced Nine Network’s hit drama “McLeod’s Daughters,” which ran for 224 episodes across eight seasons. The series and its cast were nominated for multiple awards including the coveted AFI Award for “Best Television Drama Series” in 2004 and 2006 and 41 Logie Awards, winning eight in total, including “Best Popular Australian Drama” in 2004 and 2005. She also served as co-creator and co-producer on the twice-nominated Emmy contender “Hi-5”. Graeme-Evans has authored six best-selling novels published internationally by Simon and Schuster and written lyrics for over 400 songs for “McLeod’s Daughters”, resulting in three gold and platinum albums. She has previously served as Director of Drama at Nine Network and was the inaugural recipient of the Screen Producer Association’s Australian Independent Producer of the Year Award in 2001. She is the creative director and co-founder of Millennium Pictures whose credits include “McLeod’s Daughters”, “Mirror Mirror”, “Doom Runners” for Showtime and Nickelodeon.
Dreamchaser will make further Producer Partner announcements in the coming months. For more information visit www.dreamchaser.com.au.
SYNOPSIS: Leena, a murderous sociopath who looks like a child due to a medical condition, escapes from an Estonian psychiatric facility. Leena impersonates the missing daughter of a wealthy family but becomes pitted against a determined mother.
Release Date: August 25
Cast: Julia Stiles, Isabelle Fuhrman, Rossif Sutherland, Matthew Finlan, Morgan Giraudet, Hiro Kanagawa, Jade Michael, Samantha Walkes Directed By: William Brent Bell Produced By: Alex Mace, Hal Sadoff, Ethan Erwin, James Tomlinson Screenplay By: David Coggeshall Story By: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Alex Mace Based On: Characters by Alex Mace
