Jack Reacher Never Go Back Trailer
The somewhat ironically titled Jack Reacher sequel now has an official trailer. Jack Reacher Never Go Back sees Tom Cruise go back to playing the ruthlessly efficient former army intelligence officer based on the bestsellingLee Child book series. This time Reacher finds himself reluctantly caught up in yet another deadly conspiracy when the new head of his former military unit (Cobie Smulders) finds herself framed for espionage. Full official trailer below courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
A United Kingdom Opens London Film Festival 2016
The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express is delighted to announce that this year’s Opening Night gala will be Amma Asante’s A UNITED KINGDOM, the true story of Seretse Khama, King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1947 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments.
The film will receive its European premiere on Wednesday 5 October at the Odeon Leicester Square, attended by cast and filmmakers with Asante, David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike expected on the red carpet. There will be a live cinecast from the London event and simultaneous screenings taking place at cinemas across the UK.
A UNITED KINGDOM is directed by Asante (Belle) from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert (Eye in the Sky), based on the book Colour Bar by Susan Williams. The cast is led by David Oyelowo (Selma) as Seretse Khama with Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) playing his future wife Ruth Williams. Other cast includes Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean), Terry Pheto (Mandela), Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Arnold Oceng (Adulthood), Jack Lowden (’71) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey).
Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director, says:
“Amma Asante’s A UNITED KINGDOM is testament to a defiant and enduring love story that also reveals a complex, painful chapter in British history. We are proud to be opening the 60th BFI London Film Festival with a film of such contemporary relevance, one that celebrates the triumph of love and intelligence over intolerance and oppression, and that confirms Asante as a distinctive and important British filmmaker.”
Director Amma Asante comments:
“It’s a great privilege that A UNITED KINGDOM has been selected as the Opening Night Film of the BFI London Film Festival. The Festival means a lot to me personally, having showcased my very first film, A Way of Life, here and been honoured with the UK Film Talent Award. I’m a proud Londoner and in A UNITED KINGDOM we’ve been able to film in some of the most beautiful parts of the city as well as in the wonderful landscapes of Botswana.”
The film is produced by Rick McCallum (Star Wars), David Oyelowo, Justin Moore-Lewy, Brunson Green (The Help) and Charlie Mason. The film is executive produced by Pathé’s Cameron McCracken, BBC Films’ Christine Langan, the BFI’s Ben Roberts, Ingenious Media’s Eleanor Clark Windo and Guy Hibbert.
The film is a Pathé, BBC Films, BFI, Ingenious presentation with the participation of Canal + and Cine + of a Yoruba Saxon/Harbinger Pictures/Perfect Weekend/ Film United Production of a film by Amma Asante. Pathé will distribute the film in the UK and France and will handle sales throughout the rest of the world.
The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 5 October-Sunday 16 October 2016. The full Festival programme will be announced on Thursday 1 September 2016.
Preacher Episode Four Review
The Plot
Jesse makes Quincannon a bet he can’t refuse, Cassidy works to fend off the angels, and Tulip tries to bring Justice to Annville.
The Good
Joe Gilgun again provides the main highlights in this slow but intriguing fourth episode, entitled Monster Swamp with his botched attempt at trying to explain the current situation regarding Jesse’s two angelic agents hunting down the power within him, all while carrying an apple pipe. While Jesse continues on still none the wiser on his current predicament, three flashback scenes peppered throughout the episode give a bit more depth to his relationship with his father. While they don’t particularly drive the story too much, the answer to the questions that came with our first glimpse of Jesse’s father seems to be drawing closer.
Meanwhile, Tulip is driven by revenge in the episode’s namesake plot which sees a cold open in which a young girl, Lacie, fall down a swamp hole and die. With Tulip’s anger issues resulting in her accidentally throwing Cassidy out a window in a case of mistaken identity, more hilarity ensues as she desperately rushes him to the hospital and even gives him a kiss for good measure before finding out his bloodthirsty secret.
Again this week, Jesse seems to be very restrained when using his power, opting to bide his time and convert Jackie Earle Haley’s previously stubborn anti-religious Quincannon. It’s a smart power move having a congregation witness this apparent miracle and gives an interesting route for Quincannon’s character for next week.
Perhaps the most intriguing piece of information that Monster Swamp gives us is the fact that Flore and DeBlanc are down on earth without permission. Sitting nervously in waiting for Cassidy to bring Jesse to them as they bicker over whether to call up their ambiguous unnamed boss and risk revealing what they’re up to.
The Bad
After last week’s episode seemingly picked up the pace and powered on with the story, this weeks again drops it slightly. Four episodes in, Jesse’s lack of usage on his power is beginning to become a problem. It’s also with a heavy heart that we find the Johnny Cash motif has well and truly been dropped.
The Ugly Truth
Another slow burner this week, but with enough entertaining moments (mainly from Joe Gilgun’s wickedly dry and sarcastic performance) to keep us going as the plot thickens a touch more.
Review by Johnny Ellis
Anton Yelchin Dies At 27
Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin has died after a freak car accident at his Los Angeles home. The news leaves his fans, family and co-stars in heartbroken shock and disbelief.
Young rising star Yelchin had appeared in film’s such as Alpha Dog, Green Room & Like Crazy as well as playing Pavel Chekov in the new Star Trek trilogy. The next installment in he franchise Star Trek Beyond is due for release just next month, with Yelchin once again reprising the iconic role originally made famous by Walter Koenig.
Among the many tributes that have flooded in for the young actor, his Star Trek colleagues have been among the most prominent:
Director JJ Abrams paid tribute to the brilliant Yelchin saying:
“Anton You were brilliant. You were Kind. You were funn as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren’t here nearly long enough. Missing You JJ”
Star Trek Beyond Director Justin Lin added his own praise and devastated response to the news:
“Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.”
Co-star Zachery Quinto who plays Spock in the franchise wrote on instagram:
“Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton. One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know. So enormously talented and generous of heart. Wise beyond his years. And gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.”
No doubt fans across the world will hare those sentiments and more the loss of one of cinemas brightest young lights.
Charlie Sheen Interview Lelo Hex Launch
Appearing in London to promote new a new high tech condom called Lelo Hex, Charlie Sheen spoke to Red Carpet News and the gathered UK press about his HIV diagnosis, Safe Sex, New TV projects, Personal regrets and Family life. Read the full in depth interview below:
How and why did you get involved in supporting this new type of condom?
To nutshell… They sent me one. I tried it and I said let’s do this! It’s exciting on so many fronts and levels. It’s the first change to the condom in 70 years and its not just about changing a dialogue it’s about changing the technology and the appeal. When I… and this is not a joke.. get behind something much like when I went public with HIV, for the first time in 10 years it really brought it out of the shadows and created a wave of interest and mature responsibility and curiosity. They called it the Charlie Sheen effect and I was really proud of that. I felt that by coming forward and putting myself out there that I could help others. So on the heels of that when this showed up.. You know condom use is down, STIs & STDs are way up. So I thought this makes perfect sense, to give people a medical device to genuinely protect themselves and their love ones.
There are times I think about it. I think about what if just those one or two times I didn’t succumb to that awkward moment or feel like this was going to interrupt something passionate and I’d taken that time. You know my story would be different and I feel like maybe other people’s story can be different because of this.
I’d known about Lelo, a buddy of mine his girlfriend used their other products. I was really impressed with them based on the efficacy and his description. So I knew that whatever they were going to present would have equal quality as well as market dominance if that technology found its way into their condoms and it has.
Safe sex is a global problem with condoms not being used in rich countries or available in some of the poorest, how do you think a better designed but more expensive condom will tackle either issue?
I think in the third world scenario the price point can be altered to make them available and accessible and hence distributed in greater numbers. Therein lies the rub.. you come out with something that’s solution driven and then the people who need it the most can’t afford it, but there’s been dialogue with the WHO.
Is it true that you there are potentially plans in place for you to visit Africa to distribute large numbers of free condoms?
Just to speak to that, I will go to Jupiter to deliver solutions, prevention or cure!
Did you have any apprehension about people’s reaction to you becoming the public spokesperson for a condom brand?
You know I can’t predict what’s going to happen. Things with me have been so cross the board and across the universe at times. I have to go with my gut and do what I think is right and for the right reasons. I think my story about why I’m involved is more important than worrying about the perception of being involved. At the risk of sounding arrogant, when I get involved in things or am honest enough to step through the awkward cloud of silence people tend to take notice and this is not a third problem this is an all-world problem. I feel like I can be part of something that again helps others in the prevention of what I live with Daily.
People often describe you as someone who’s really lived life; do you have regrets because of that?
You say lived as though it’s over! You mean continues to live! As for regrets… professionally should have finished Two and a Half Men a little better, a Lot better! Personally perhaps had the Lelo Hex been around in one or two of those moments, my story might be different. But what might have felt like a regret several months ago has transformed itself into an opportunity and a chance to carry the torch and once again be an ambassador of good will and responsible good health
Did you have any initial reservations or second thoughts about coming forward?
No I was greatly relieved. Afterward I wished that I had done it sooner.
Do you think there are other people in Hollywood living with HIV but who don’t have the confidence or support network to come out publicly as you now have?
I don’t know. I sort of had written a story that after I came out others would contact me confidentially, but that hasn’t happened. But that’s their journey. I can only wish them well. But I have had several people just come up to me in the streets and give me a hug and say thank you for giving my mom,father,brother,sister or friend the courage to come forward and hence allow us to embrace and to help. That’s a gift and a moment that you can’t put a price tag on.
Do you feel an added pressure and responsibility as a public figure than perhaps normal people living with an HIV diagnosis would do?
Its fine, I’m tougher than the average bear. If it means going to some far off lands and some dangerous environment to bring some good will, I’m all about that. I don’t see it as being a poster boy I see it as… I mean who else is there right now to generate this amount of attention and good will. This tsunami of attention. If that has become one of my roles on this journey then I’ll take it, because in the hands of an amateur it would not be as effective.
Do you have film and television projects in development right now or people you’re hoping to work with?
There are so many people I’m a fan of who have influenced me the list is too long and yes the worm is turning. There is as we speak corporate interest from the people that make those decisions to put me back on television o in film roles that I think I’ve earned the right to portray. If I speak to specifics it pisses them off and I’m right back to where I was.
How do you feel about getting interviewed on stage by Piers Morgan here in London on Sunday for your Audience With Charlie Sheen event?
He’s fabulous, we’ve done interviews twice before and he’s done nothing but be respectful. He does his research, he’ll open the door to a certain path or a certain topic but he won’t grind the person through it. It’s up to me how far we go. When I heard that he had volunteered to take the reins on this thing I was happy as Larry. He will professionally handle the bits and bobs of it all.
Has your attitude to being interviewed changed in any way given your recent experiences?
You know I always just lead with the truth, the only variable in the mix is the interviewer…. (wry grin)
Has living with an HIV diagnosis not just changed your sex life but your approach to other areas of your life?
Right now I couldn’t get laid in a woman’s prison with a handful of pardons! It doesn’t give you the great opening line. Hey HIV… busy later? But perhaps with Lelo Hex it can. No it is what it is I don’t mean to make light of it. But it changes the whole approach on it because it’s no longer about my interest, my gain, my folly. It’s about the other person and just protecting them. It’s about being open and responsible.
Is talking about safe sex with you own children something you’re nervous about or feel prepared for?
I think we all should be prepare do for that! My oldest child Cassandra is 32 and then it goes Sam & Lola 12/11 Bob & Max 7 and my granddaughter Luna. I don’t want to be having that conversation with any of the younger ones too soon. I’m a little old fashioned that way believe it or not.
What kind of parent are you?
I’m a chauffer I’m an uber driver. I deliver them to school and pick them up afterwards. I’m always on time and I like to think these days I’m leaving every situation I encounter a little better than how I found it. They’re thrilled to have me in their life. I lead by example, I don’t offer unsolicited advice but if anyone has a question… man do I have a lot of answers!
