The Movies1 Blog

Sebastian Stan, renowned for his portrayal of Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been chosen to play a young Donald Trump in the upcoming film The Apprentice. The movie, directed by Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi, known for his work on The Last Of Us and Holy Spider, is set against the backdrop of 1970s and 1980s New York. It unfolds the narrative of Trump's early years, seeking guidance from Roy Cohn while establishing his real estate empire. Alsong Stan, a seven-time MCU film actor and Emmy nominee for his role in Pam & Tommy, the cast includes Jeremy Strong from Succession as Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova from Borat 2, as Ivana Trump.  

Paul McCartney and Elton John are set to feature in the sequel to the iconic mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, with filming scheduled to commence early next year, according to director Rob Reiner. Reiner, who directed the original 1984 film and will helm the sequel, broke the news during a conversation with comedian Richard Herring on the RHLSTP (Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast). Expressing his enthusiasm for This Is Spinal Tap, Herring learned from Reiner that the entire original cast is returning for the sequel, and production is set to kick off at the end of February. Reiner also revealed the star-studded additions to the cast, announcing, "Paul McCartney is joining us, and Elton John," and also mentioned the participation of country music legend Garth Brooks.

  Following on the heels of The Last of Us, get ready for Fallout, the next colossal video game adaptation on Prime Video, where the first three episodes have been helmed by Jonathan Nolan, best known for his work on Westworld. The series unfolds within a post-apocalyptic landscape as Fallout shelters re-emerge, revealing the irradiated wastelands of Los Angeles. In this desolate setting, a myriad of adventures ensue, encapsulating an enduring struggle for survival. Immersing viewers in a surreal atmosphere, Fallout often intertwines dark humour into its narrative. As the Fallout shelters open and unveil a world transformed by catastrophe, the series promises an enthralling exploration of the challenges and absurdities that define existence in this irradiated land.

Director Carl Rinsch blew $55 million on cryptocurrency and luxury cars after Netflix won an intense eight-studio bidding war for his sci-fi epic Conquest, which focused on artificial humans. Following the financial windfall, Rinsch succumbed to addiction, diverting substantial amounts of money towards acquiring Rolls-Royces and investing in cryptocurrency. His behaviour became increasingly erratic, with Rinsch even making dubious claims about possessing foreknowledge of lightning strikes. His descent into addiction and financial mismanagement prevented his highly anticipated sci-fi project getting to the production stage, leaving Netflix and Rinsch now embroiled in a protracted arbitration process.  

Christopher Nolan has quashed rumours of his involvement in a James Bond film as his next project following the success of Oppenheimer. Despite previous speculation, Nolan clarified in an interview with The Associated Press that there is "no truth to those rumours." Oppenheimer, his summer period drama, has become the highest-grossing World War II-related film and biopic, amassing $950 million globally since July. Reports in October suggested Nolan was in talks to direct multiple Bond films, envisioning a return to Ian Fleming's original 1950s setting. While Nolan had expressed interest in the past, he refuted the recent rumours. In July, he stated on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that working on a Bond film would be an "amazing privilege" but emphasised the need for the right creative moment and full commitment to the project. Nolan's cinematic style has often drawn comparisons to the Bond franchise, evident in films like Tenet and Inception. In a 2017 Pl...

 A survey conducted by BECTU (the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph, and Theatre Union) about working conditions and health and safety in the British film industry has found: Approximately 75% of respondents felt that their safety was compromised. 96.3% reported working 10 or more hours per day. 46.4% worked 12 or more hours per day. 72% expressed fear that fatigue from work would compromise their ability to drive home safely. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Mark Milsome Foundation, established in memory of the B camera operator who tragically lost his life during the production of Black Earth Rising, following his work on Quantum of Solace. The foundation is dedicated to preventing further tragedies and ensuring that no one loses their life for the sake of capturing a shot.

Ridley Scott has responded sharply to French critics who have given negative reviews to his latest film, Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the 19th-century French emperor. The reviews have been polarised, with some praising the historical epic as a "masterpiece" while others criticise it for historical inaccuracies. Scott, dismissive of those nitpicking historical details, suggested they "get a life." Notable French outlets like Le Figaro, Le Point, and French GQ have expressed discontent, with French GQ calling the film "deeply clumsy" and criticising scenes where French soldiers shout "Vive la France" with American accents. Addressing the criticism in an interview with BBC News, Scott commented, "The French don’t even like themselves," clarifying that the audience he showed it to in Paris enjoyed the film. Historian Dan Snow has pointed out inaccuracies, including the notion that Napoleon "came from nothing" and th...

Bob Geldof has hinted at the possibility of an Imax film showcasing Live Aid, the monumental 1985 worldwide charity concert that he orchestrated, making its way to cinemas. Geldof didn't hold back when expressing his disdain for the 1982 musical film Pink Floyd-The Wall , a sentiment he openly shared while introducing a screening of the film at the EnergaCamerimage cinematography film festival in Toruń, Poland, alongside his friend, cinematographer, and Lifetime Achievement Award honouree Peter Biziou. He candidly admitted, "I don’t like the film. I think I’m really bad. I’m not an actor, and I think it’s like an extended video." Describing it as more of an album by Pink Floyd than a film, Geldof criticised both the production and his own performance, stating, "I don’t like the record. I hated making The Wall . The only way that I could do the movie was because of Peter [Biziou] because he made it very easy. I was just embarrassed every day by how shit I was." D...

Amidst the anticipation for our third journey to the enchanting realm of Arendelle in Frozen 3 , recent revelations from Disney's top executive, Bob Iger, are giving a strong hint that the powerhouse animated franchise will be having a fourth instalment . This franchise has proven to be a financial titan for Disney, making more than $2 billion at the box office. While Iger doesn't explicitly confirm the return of Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel), he told the US TV show Good Morning America that " Frozen 3 is in the works, and there might be a Frozen 4 in the works too." He added: "But I don’t have much to say about those films right now. [Director] Jennifer Lee, who created the original Frozen and Frozen 2 , is hard at work with her team at Disney animation on not one but actually two stories." The mention of two stories suggests the possibility of a two-part narrative, though confirmation remains pending. Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the songwriter...

Now entering its fourth decade, the French Film Festival UK embraces the richness and diversity of francophone cinema and seeks to expand cultural horizons. Mutually appreciative links have been forged over the last 12 months with like-minded Festivals in Dinard and Angoulême. The organisers of French Film Festival UK pay tribute to the legion of loyal audiences, sponsors, funders, as well as passionate and committed individuals, who every year ensure the festival comes to vibrant life – not only in November and December, but also as part of the film events throughout the year. The Festival opened with the UK premiere of Divertimento in London and runs until 14 December, featuring 33 films in screenings in 30 UK cities and towns. They include Agnès Jaoui and director Frédéric Sojcher  in attendance on 4 November at Ciné Lumière for the UK Premiere of The Course of Life and Swiss filmmaker Laurent Nègre will put in an appearance for A Forgotten Man (at Ciné Lumière with ...

Denzel Washington is set to rejoin forces with director Antoine Fuqua for another cinematic venture, bringing the historical figure Hannibal to life on screen. Contrary to the infamous Hannibal Lecter of Silence of the Lambs notoriety, this narrative revolves around the renowned commander who waged war against the Romans and achieved fame for leading battles astride an elephant. John Logan, the mastermind behind Gladiator, is tasked with crafting the script, detailing Hannibal's pivotal clashes with the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. This particular historical figure has captivated Hollywood's imagination, with Vin Diesel expressing a decade-long interest in bringing Hannibal's story to the big screen. Denzel Washington, too, had contemplated the role over two decades ago when 20th Century Fox was in the early stages of production. However, back then, Washington hesitated due to concerns about being away from his family for an extended period. Now, with at lea...