Oscar season is a marathon whether you win or lose. Ryuske Hamaguchi was lucky enough to be on the winning end when “Drive My Car” won the International Film Oscar two years ago. In so doing, the filmmaker became just the fifth Japanese director to win the honor and the first since Yōjirō Takita triumphed in 2009 for “Departures.” It also became the first Japanese film nominated for Best Picture, a landmark achievement for a nation with a legacy of auteur filmmakers.

Continue reading Ryusuke Hamaguchi Takes An Unexpected Turn With ‘Evil Does Not Exit’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

To say it’s been an incredible year for Leo Woodall is something of an understatement. The 27-year-old actor has already filmed the new Apple TV+ series “Prime Target,” is currently filming James Vanderbilt’s feature drama “Nuremberg” alongside Rami Malek and Russell Crowe, among others, and will follow that up with a pivotal role in the fourth “Bridget Jones” movie.

Continue reading Leo Woodall: ‘White Lotus’ Was Big But “One Day’ Response Was “Way More” Intense [Interview] at The Playlist.

Two and a half years ago, Jess Hong hit the big time. Like most streaming series, however, it took awhile to reap the benefits. In October 2021, and only two years out of college, the New Zealand actress was cast in David Benioff and Daniel Weiss‘ English-language adaptation of Liu Cixin’s acclaimed Sci-Fi novel “3 Body Problem.” At the time, Hong had just three local television credits to her resume.

Continue reading ‘3 Body Problem’s’ Jess Hong: “I Couldn’t Believe They Wanted Me” [Interview] at The Playlist.

Congratulations to Jon Hamm and Andrew Scott. You are more than likely earning Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Emmy nominations for “Fargo” season five and “Ripley,” respectively. The other three nominees in the category are very much up for grabs.

READ MORE: Limited Series Emmys 2024 Predictions And Contenders

“Shogun” is a massive streaming and critical hit for FX and on Hulu.

Continue reading Best Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie Emmys 2024 Predictions & Contenders at The Playlist.

If some of the Drama and Comedy series acting categories are scrounging for legitimate nominees, the Limited Series and TV movie fields are effectively a bloodbath in comparison. At this point, there are just three actors likely to make the five and only five nominating field: Jodie Foster (“True Detective: Night Country”), Juno Temple (“Fargo”), and Brie Larson (“Lessons in Chemistry”).

Continue reading Best Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie Emmys 2024 Predictions & Contenders at The Playlist.

If there is any Emmy field that is utterly wide open it’s Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Despite the decline of Peak TV, there should be enough submissions for six nominees as was the case the past four years. That being said, the only contenders that even appear to be locks for a nomination are Carrie Coon (“The Gilded Age”), Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”), and Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”).

Continue reading Best Actress In A Drama Series Emmys 2024 Predictions & Contenders at The Playlist.

The 2024 Emmy category for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series is so wide open that not only is picking the nominees a crapshoot, but we’re not even sure there is a legitimate frontrunner yet to win it (or ever will be). The reason is a rare one in Emmy land, it appears none of 2023’s nominees are eligible this go around. It will be five (or potentially six) new nominees. Sorta wild, to be honest.

Continue reading Best Actor in a Drama Series Emmys 2024 Predictions & Contenders at The Playlist.

Some categories are competitive this Emmy season and some categories are not. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series certainly qualifies as the latter. Assuming there are only five nominees as in 2023 (although six is theoretically possible), the field already has three close to locks in last year’s winner in Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series winner Ayo Adebiri (“The Bear”), and the 2021 and 2022 winner Jean Smart (“Hacks”).

Continue reading Best Actress in a Comedy Series Emmys 2024 Predictions & Contenders at The Playlist.

Is it possible we have a snub or even two in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category? The Ladies may be searching high and low for two nominees to round out the field, but the gentlemen face a somewhat more competitive race. And that’s a big emphasis on “somewhat.” One thing is for sure, last year’s winner, Jeremy Allen White, will absolutely be nominated again and is once again the frontrunner for his performance in season two of “The Bear.” Comedy legend Martin Short should also earn his third nod for “Only Murders in the Building.” Beyond those two actors, however, things may or may not get interesting.

Continue reading Best Actor in a Comedy Series Emmys 2024 Predictions & Contenders at The Playlist.

There was a fleeting moment in the early and mid-00s when being selected for the Slamdance Film Festival could mean something for a filmmaker’s career. Sure, it wasn’t the same as being part of the more prestigious and larger Park City, Utah film festival, but the edgier offshoot event gave a voice to independent films that didn’t have an industry connection or agency influence to make the Sundance cut. That influence has waned over the last few decades, and the festival has decided to make a change.

Continue reading Slamdance Film Festival Is Moving To Los Angeles at The Playlist.

If television is a snapshot of our times, there are several moments in the fourth season of HBO’s groundbreaking reality docuseries “We’re Here” that should be a major wake-up call for anyone who believes in free speech, human rights, and artistic expression in the United States. After the events in season three, which saw the show face vocal opposition in visits to Florida and St. George, Utah, it’s hard to imagine things could get worse, but for many in small-town America, it’s reached an infection point.

Continue reading ‘We’re Here’: Sasha Velour & Latrice Royale Discover Fighting The Good Fight Is Harder Than Ever at The Playlist.

Greta Gerwig has her jury. This evening, the Cannes Film Festival revealed the rest of the nine-member jury filled with festival veterans and Academy members. This year’s jury includes screenwriter and director Ebru Ceylan (Turkey), actress Lily Gladstone (United States), actress Eva Green (France), director and screenwriter Nadine Labaki (Lebanon), director and screenwriter Juan Antonio Bayona (Spain), actor Pierfrancisco Favino (Italy), director Kore-eda Hirokazu (Japan), and actor and producer Omar Sy (France).

Continue reading Lily Gladstone, J.A. Bayona, Omar Sy, Eva Green Among 2024 Cannes Film Festival Jury at The Playlist.

Keeping a television series fresh and engaging after its first few seasons is always a difficult task. It often separates the classic TV shows from the also-rans. And it’s often even tougher to pull off for a network comedy or sitcom. In many ways, that’s why it’s a relief that the third season of “Abbot Elementary” may arguably be one of its best. A major reason for that has to be Janelle James‘ portrayal of the blunt and take-no-prisoners elementary school principal, Ava.

Continue reading ‘Abbott Elementary’: Janelle James Makes A Case For Ava & Janine’s Friendship at The Playlist.

A ’90s romantic comedy classic that launched the career of one of, arguably, the greatest filmmakers of the past 30 years is getting a remake. Today, Bleecker Street announced they had secured the rights to a new version of Ang Lee’s “The Wedding Banquet,” a 1993 worldwide art-house hit and Foreign Language Oscar nominee in 1994. The new adaptation will reunite director and screenwriter Andrew Ahn and Bowen Yang who previously collaborated on the acclaimed 2022 gay romantic comedy “Fire Island.”

READ MORE: “‘Fire Island” Review: Joel Kim Booster and Andrew Ahn deliver an instant rom-com classic

Beyond the “SNL” mainstay, the film’s cast includes Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar winner Yuh-jung Youn, and Joan Chen.

Continue reading Bowen Yang & Lily Gladstone Set For Remake Of ‘The Wedding Banquet’ at The Playlist.

The Peabody Board of Jurors released the rest of the 2024 Peabody Awards nominees today and the results were somewhat surprising. Comprising the Arts, Children’s/Youth, Entertainment, Interactive, and Immersive categories, the list of honorees included anticipated programs such as “The Last of Us,” “The Bear” and “Bluey.” What was something of a shock was a snub of the critically acclaimed and awards favorite, “Beef.”

READ MORE: “20 Days in Mariupol” and “The Eternal Memory” among early 2024 Peabody Awards nominees

Beyond “Last of Us” and “The Bear,” other Entertainment category nominees include “Poker Face,” “Lupin,” “Blue Eyed Samurai,” “Somebody Somewhere,” “Dead Ringers,” “Reservation Dogs,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Israel-Hamas War,” “Reality,” and “Jury Duty.” Surprising nominees included “Fellow Travelers” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

On the Children/Youth front, “Bluey” was joined by fellow Disney+ series “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” and “Summer Camp Island.” The Arts category features “Can You Bring It: Bill T.

Continue reading ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘Dead Ringers,’ ‘The Bear’ Among 2024 Peabody Awards Nominees at The Playlist.

We almost wish “One Day” was a continuous series. Not because we wanted to extend the narrative of David Nichols’ original novel, but because if it was a drama series we’d be assured stars Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall would almost be guaranteed to receive the Emmy love they deserve. Those categories allow for significantly more nominees than the Limited Series acting categories. But, if there is any justice, Mod, in particular, will somehow fend off one Oscar and previous Emmy winner after another to land a Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nomination.

Continue reading Ambika Mod Answers (Almost) All Your Questions About ‘One Day’ at The Playlist.

The Peabody Awards are revealing their 2024 nominees in two batches this year and today was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the non-narrative works. Among the Documentary, News, Public Service, and Radio/Podcast nominees were a slew of Oscar-nominated films including “The Eternal Memory,” “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” and “All The Beauty and the Bloodshed.” Oh, and this year’s Academy Award winner, “20 Days in Mariupol.”

READ MORE: 10 pressing questions for the 2024 Emmy Award Season

This year’s narrative nominees will be revealed on Thursday.

Continue reading ’20 Days In Mariupol’ & ‘The Eternal Memory’ Among Early 2024 Peabody Awards Nominees at The Playlist.

The most competitive genre this Emmy season is Limited Series or Anthology Series and it’s not even close. There are likely four to five highly acclaimed programs that won’t make the five-nominee field. After becoming a critical hit and streaming sensation since its release on April 11, you can now add Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” to the list of legit contenders.

READ MORE: Limited Series 2024 Emmys Predictions & Contenders

Written and starring Richard Gadd as Donny, a fictionalized version of himself, “Reindeer” centers on a struggling Scottish comedian who deals with the consequences of becoming a friend with a convicted stalker, Martha Scott, played by Jessica Gunning.

Continue reading Netflix’s Buzzworthy ‘Baby Reindeer’ Enters Emmys 2024 Limited Series Race at The Playlist.

Rebecca Ferguson is becoming close to a household name. O.K., maybe “close” is a slight exaggeration, but her profile is bigger than her social media presence, and that’s primarily because her resume over the past decade is filled with one banger after another. “The Greatest Showman,” three acclaimed “Mission: Impossible” flicks, a Best Picture nominee in “Dune” and, likely, a second Oscar nominee in her latest blockbuster, “Dune: Part Two.” And now, she’s up for a potential Emmy nomination as Juliette, a “sheriff” in a post-apocalyptic civilization trying to discover the truth behind the gigantic, multi-level “Silo” humanity is confined to.

Continue reading Rebecca Ferguson Revisits ‘Silo’ & The Talks “Tricky Conversation” For ‘Dune: Messiah’ at The Playlist.

Based on the marketing, you might think “Challengers” is at its core, a tennis movie and, well, it sort of is. The film is certainly set in the world of tennis, you can’t deny that, and at one point, Zendaya’s character Tashi Duncan remarks, “We’re always talking about tennis.” The sport is at the center of her life. But despite everyone involved’s best efforts, the serves and volleys in this movie are nowhere near as important as the decade-long love triangle between Tashi and one-time BFFs, Patrick Zweig and Art Donaldson, played by Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, respectively.

Continue reading ‘Challengers’ Review: Zendaya Rules This Love Triangle at The Playlist.

There is a lot of drag content circling on your device in 2024, but one thing you can’t ignore is any opportunity to watch Derrick Barry on television. Perhaps the most well-known Britney Spears impersonator in the world, Barry has been television gold on multiple “RuPaul’s Drag Race” seasons including the shortlived 2020 reality series, “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Vegas Revue.” Now, Barry and a number of their co-stars from the “Drag Race Live” show in Las Vegas are back with a new spin on that concept, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live: Untucked.” And, no, surprise, Barry is so entertaining, they genuinely deserve some sort of producer credit.

Continue reading Derrick Barry Is Ready For A Producer Credit On ‘Drag Race Live Untucked’ at The Playlist.

The rumors are true. After 40 years, the Sundance Film Festival may (and an emphasis on “may”) be leaving the confines of Park City, Utah. Today, acting CEO Amanda Kelso and Festival Director Eugene Hernandez reached out to the larger “Sundance Industry Community” to inform them that a process to potentially relocate the festival was underway.

READ MORE: Sundance announces dates for the 2025 Film Festival

Beginning today, a Request for Information (RFI) for potential new cities is open until May 1.

Continue reading Sundance Film Festival Opens The Door To Leaving Park City In 2027 at The Playlist.

It’s been two long years, but “Hacks” is finally back for a third season. The breakout Max series was originally intended to return in 2023, but health issues and multiple strikes pushed that back a year Now, two-time Emmy winner Jean Smart (she has five overall) and Emmy nominee Hannah Einbinder find their characters at a crossroads. Or, at least, that’s what the brand-new trailer you can find in this post is teasing.

Continue reading ‘Hacks’ Season 3 Trailer: Jean Smart & Hannah Einbinder Are Back At It In May at The Playlist.

Just when you thought it was safe, they suck you back in. Yes, on April 14, 2024, the final guild award ceremony was held for programs, films, and content released in 2023. Delayed because of the WGA and SAG strikes, the 2024 WGA Awards were held in concurrent ceremonies in both Los Angeles and New York. And while writers for “The Last of Us,” “Beef,” and “American Fiction” were rewarded as expected, we’re happy to report there were a few upsets.

Continue reading ‘The Last Of Us,’ ‘The Holdovers’ & ‘Poker Face’ Among 2024 WGA Awards Winners at The Playlist.

LAS VEGAS – The Walt Disney Studios showed 75 minutes, yes almost an hour and a half of film footage for movies it’s releasing over the next 12 months at CinemaCon 2024. Most of which will not be released publicly. We’re pretty sure if you’re reading this article there is one movie you’re interested in the most, “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Let’s get to it, shall we?

READ MORE: “Gladiator II” shows its teeth for Paramount Pictures at CinemaCon

Appear on stage with Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige, “D&P” director Shawn Levy made sure to preface the nine minutes of footage we were about to watch was the most spoiler-free they could show without star and executive producer Ryan Reynolds assassinating him.

Continue reading ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ & ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Get Big Disney CinemaCon Sneaks at The Playlist.