Promotional photo for Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

[Weekly Netflix Fix] Final July 2015 Update

The end of July is here, and with it comes an assortment of new Netflix Instant additions! As well all know, the highly-entertaining BoJack Horseman has returned for a second season (of which Bridjet reviewed recently). The other major addition to Netflix Instant is the Netflix-exclusive series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which is a prequel to the 2001 cult classic. Another personal recommendation is The Skeleton Twins, starring Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig.

Find all of the latest additions to Netflix Instant below!

BoJack Horseman: Season 2 
The Business of Being Born
Cantinflas
The Human Experiment  Invizimals: The Alliance Files
Tig
The True Cost
Glee: Season 6
Java Heat
Peace After Marriage
Je suis Femen
Set Fire to the Stars
Jim Norton: Contextually Inadequate
Teacher of the Year
Zero Motivation
The Avenging Eagle
Come Drink with Me
Hercules
Martial Arts of Shaolin
Out of the Dark
The Road to Fallujah
Shaolin Martial Arts
24 Days
The Guest
Sword of Vengeance
Dial a Prayer
52 Tuesdays
Comet
Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.: Season 2
Almost Mercy
Donde Esta Elisa
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Season 5
Of Girls and Horses
Relaciones Peligrosas
Staten Island Summer
Still
Victoria
The Wrecking Crew
The New Black
The Skeleton Twins
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp


Promotional art for Franklin of The Peanuts Movie

The Peanuts Movie Celebrates Franklin's Birthday

On July 31, 1968, Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz broke down barriers by introducing the strip's first African American character, Franklin. Now, 47 years later, The Peanuts Movie is celebrating his first appearance with a social media campaign illustrating the character's background.

Following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a teacher by the name of Harriet Glickman wrote a letter to Schulz expressing the importance of adding an African American character to Peanuts, the country's most popular comic strip at the time. As stated earlier, Franklin Armstrong made his debut on July 31st, 1968, and represented the importance of desegregation and equality.

Nearly 50 years later, America still struggles with racism and racial inequality, especially in light of the rampant reports of police brutality and hate crimes recently, something fun like #FranklinDay is a way to celebrate and promote something positive. And hey, it works as a very smart and creative marketing tool for The Peanuts Movie.

Re-live Franklin's first appearance in Peanuts below, and Happy #FranklinDay!

Franklin's first appearance in The Peanuts


Film still of the Ghostbusters cast

Ivan Reitman Shoots Down All-Male Ghostbusters Reboot Rumors

Around the same time the Paul Feig Ghostbusters reboot was announced, there were rumors that another Ghostbusters film would be produced, directed by Captain America: The Winter Soldier's Joe and Anthony Russo with Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt rumored to star. The rumors were further perpetrated by claims that original Ghostbusters director made in regards to the "other" Ghostbusters film:

The second film has a wonderful idea that builds on that. Drew will start writing and the hope is to be ready for the Russo Brothers’ next window next summer to shoot, with the movie coming out the following year. It’s just the beginning of what I hope will be a lot of wonderful movies.

However, Reitman has recently come out to shoot down any and all rumors of the project with a statement:

There has been a lot of excitement recently about what is happening with the Ghostbusters franchise. As the producer of the new Ghostbusters film, I feel the need to clarify. There is only one new Ghostbusters movie and that is the Paul Feig directed version coming next July, presently filming and going fantastically. The rest is just noise.

It's unfortunate that Reitman mentioned any talk of a second Ghostbusters reboot film, especially after the mixed reception of the all-female Ghostbusters reboot. At the same time, this is a good vote of confidence for Feig's project and everybody involved with it. Does this mean we won't ever see a Tatum and Pratt Ghostbusters film? Of course not, but it would most likely depend on how Feig's film performs.

We'll see how the quest for more Ghostbusters plays out over time.

[via /Film]


Promotional photo of Brie Larson for Room

Brie Larson Destined for Breakout in Room Trailer

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Brie Larson has been close to breaking out in practically every one of her films over the past few years. She stunned audiences with her beauty and comedic wit/timing in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, played a small but pivotal role in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, Don Jon, was a highlight in Miles Teller's The Spectacular Now, was a scene stealer in Judd Apatow's Trainwreck, and cemented herself as one of Hollywood's most talented actresses in the sorely overlooked Short Term 12.

With Room, however, Larson may just be on the path towards the breakout she was destined to experience back in 2013. Directed by Frank's Lenny Abrahamson, Room is a gripping emotional/psychological drama/thriller about a young woman, Ma (Larson), and her five-year-old son, Jack (Jacob Tremblay), escaping from a 10x10 shack they were held captive in. Room is very reminiscent of the Saoirse Ronan-led Stockholm, Pennsylvania, but with notable and important differences. Room is adapted from the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue.

This could be the performance to put Larson over the top, and I can't wait to see it happen when Room is released into LA and NY theaters on October 16th with a wide release on November 6th.


Poster for Chilean Miner film The 33

Feel the Plight of the Chilean Miners in First Trailer for The 33

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Based on a true story, The 33 follows the story of the 33 Chilean Miners who were trapped inside of a 100 year old mine for 69 long and painful days until a team was able to free them. The film promises to dramatize events recounted by the miners themselves, and it's got quite the cast. Starring Antonio Banderas, Lou Diamond Phillips, Juliette Binoche, and James Brolin, the first trailer gives you pretty much all you need to know.

If you disregard the obviously pointed trailer dialogue (trailers for biopic events like this are usually poorly edited), the fact that the trailer gives away the entire story (it doesn't really matter in this case if you followed along with it in the news), and that one "Say Something" pop song that makes no sense here, there's definitely a good core concept at hand. Either way, any film that explores the lives of Chileans just a little bit is a big win in my book. You don't see those every day. Heck, you don't really see them ever. That's probably why Lou Diamond Phillips is here. He's the guy Hollywood gets when there's a big Latino movie and they want to attract a certain audience. That accent is terrible, Lou.

The 33 releases November 13th.


Promotional photo of Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, and Billy Crudup in Spotlight

The Boston Globe's Massachusetts Catholic Church Sex Scandal Dramatized in Trailer for Spotlight

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Spotlight is a true story about the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation team from The Boston Globe that broke the door wide open on the Massachusetts Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in 2002. Directed by Thomas McCarthy (Win WinThe Cobbler), the film looks like it'll be a suspenseful thriller strengthened by an amazingly talented ensemble cast.

The Boston Globe "Spotlight" team, which is the oldest running newspaper investigation unit in the country, spent an entire year unraveling the various attempts at hiding the sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and the institution's lawyers that ensured no legal ramifications would be levied against them. The cast features Michael Keaton (Birdman), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers: Age of Ultron), Billy Crudup (The Stanford Prison Experiment), John Slattery (Mad Men), Rachel McAdams (Southpaw), Stanley Tucci (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2), and Liev Schreiber (Fading Gigolo).

Spotlight will be in theaters on November 6th.


Title card for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Red Band Trailer for Michael Bay's Political Action/Drama, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

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Michael Bay is diverting his attention from robot cars and over-sized turtles to a very serious topic: the attack on an American diplomatic compound in Benghazi on the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Immediately, the first question that comes to mind is whether or not Bay can find the proper tone to balance the film's action and dramatic elements. Yes, we all know Bay can handle action (albeit to an over-the-top, extreme level), but can he truly show emotional/psychological subtlety?

Thankfully, there's an actual sense of suspense in this first Red Band trailer for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, alongside the multitude of explosions we've come to express from a Bay film. However, there's too much reliance on the trailer's score and silent shots of John Krasinski (The Office) looking sullen and morose to accentuate the trailer's emotional tone; it just feels too superficial. However, given this is our first look at the film, I'll wait until its release to pass true judgment. The cast also stars James Badge Dale (24), Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black), Toby Stephens (Black Sails), Max Martini (Sabotage), and a reunion between Krasinski and David Denham (The Office's Roy).

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi will be in theaters on January 15, 2016.


Still of Channing Tatum in Jupiter Ascending

Channing Tatum Might Leave Gambit Solo Film

All seemed well for Fox and their X-Men film properties out of San Diego Comic Con '15. After all, they cemented their status at the comic book convention with a great panel showcasing all of their upcoming films (DeadpoolX-Men: Apocalypse, et al) and an epic on-stage selfie. All seemed well and good coming out of the successful panel, but rumor has it that everything might not be as it seems.

Despite lobbying to play Gambit, it appears that Channing Tatum (Magic Mike XXL) might be dropping out of the Gambit solo film due to discrepancies related to his deal. Tatum is also co-producing the film, but there's no word if he'll continue to produce the film if he drops out (though, I'd think it's safe to say he would have no involvement whatsoever if he does, indeed, leave). The news comes just a short month after director Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) was announced as director of the film and rumors that Lea Seydoux (SPECTREBlue is the Warmest Color) might be cast in the lead actress role.

It'll be a huge blow to Fox and the X-Men film franchise if Tatum exits. While X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool are sure to be bonafide box office successes, a Tatum-led Gambit just could have been the gambit Fox needed to overtake the proper Marvel Studios films. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

[via The Wrap]