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TV reminder: 8 premieres to look out for in June

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We’ve officially entered the month that welcomes back summer. Typically, a TV draught takes place after the big finales in May and avid viewers are forced to twiddle their thumbs until the new season kicks into high gear in September. That has all changed. We’re living in the Golden Age of TV, after all, and the sheer amount of creative content isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The summer months are packed with great programs you simply cannot miss; the broadcast and premium cable networks, as well as streaming giant Netflix, have a number of exciting new series debuting this very month. To see what June has to offer, jump after the break. Continue reading TV reminder: 8 premieres to look out for in June →

Upfronts: NBC debuts new fall schedule dominated with dramas (Trailers & full descriptions inside)

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Update (6/5): Heartbreaker star Melissa George is pregnant with her second child, and for that reason the new medical drama is now being held for a midseason start. Taking its place in the Tuesdays-at-9 timeslot is another new hospital-set series, Dick Wolf’s Chicago Med. This post and NBC’s fall schedule have been updated below to reflect these changes.

For TV lovers, this is one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s mid-May and the Upfronts are currently taking place in New York City. In case you’re not aware, the Upfronts is an annual event where the major networks (namely NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS, and The CW) present their upcoming slates of fall and midseason programming to advertisers and the press. The Upfronts are held to get advertisers excited to spend their money on primetime commercials, and the press is there to spur buzz for the public at large. Every year the nets pump out some great content, so without further ado, let’s dive right in!

NBC is first out of the gate this Upfront season, presenting four new dramas, one fresh comedy, and a special variety series hosted by Neil Patrick Harris for the fall. The Blindspot, from executive producer Greg Berlanti (The Mysteries of Laura, The Flash, Arrow), stars Jaimie Alexander (Thor) in the Peacock’s most anticipated new drama. The mystery thriller about an amnesiac covered in tattooed clues has landed the plum post-The Voice spot on NBC’s fall schedule: Mondays at 10. Following The Voice on Tuesdays at 9 is new medical drama Heatbreaker starring Melissa George (The Slap, Grey’s Anatomy, In Treatment) another Dick Wolf spinoff Chicago Med. At 10 is Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris, a new variety show promising “stunts, skits, pranks, audience interaction, musical numbers, giveaways and unlimited surprises.” Chicago Fire will return for its fourth season in that timeslot when NPH’s show ends in November. Wednesday’s crime procedurals The Mysteries of Laura, Law & Order: SVU, and Chicago P.D. remain in tact. The Blacklist is sticking to Thursday nights at 9, sandwiched between event series Heroes Reborn and new drama The Player. This Las Vegas thriller hails from John Davis and John Fox, the executive producers behind the popular James Spader-led series, and it stars Wesley Snipes and Philip Winchester (Strike Back) in a fun twist on the action-crime genre. Friday is the sole night dedicated to NBC comedy with the returning Undatable at 8 (its third season will be completely comprised of live episodes) and new multi-cam sitcom People are Talking starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell). At 9 it’s the return of dark fairly-tale genre fare Grimm and newsmagazine Dateline.

New series being held for midseason or later include dramas hospital-set Heartbreaker with Melissa George, Shades of Blue (starring Jennifer Lopez), Game of Silence (starring Revolution‘s David Lyons and Once Upon a Time‘s Michael Raymond-James), and the Wizard of Oz-inspired Emerald City. Comedies coming soon include You, Me, and the End of the World with Rob Lowe (Parks & Rec), Superstore with America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) and Ben Feldman (A to Z), Hot & Bothered with Eva Longeria (Desperate Housewives), the revival of Coach starring Craig T. Nelson, and Crowded with Patrick Warburton (Rules of Engagement) and Carrie Preston (True Blood). Reality series First Dates and Little Big Shots hosted by Steve Harvey, as well as TV specials The Wiz Live!, The Reaper, and Dolly Parton in Coat of Many Colors, are also coming soon.

Jump after the break to preview NBC’s new fall and midseason series with video clips and descriptions. Continue reading Upfronts: NBC debuts new fall schedule dominated with dramas (Trailers & full descriptions inside) →

Upfronts: FOX relies on fresh family sitcoms & recognizable dramas for upcoming TV season

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FOX follows NBC as the second major network to announce its new programs for the upcoming 2015-16 season. A pair of dramas and comedies, as well as a comedy-horror anthology, are premiering on FOX this fall. Minority Report, inspired by Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film starring Tom Cruise, takes place 10 years after the demise of Precrime. Stark Sands stars as a former Precog, and with the help of a police detective played by Meagan Good (Deception), he attempts to solve crimes with the flickering visions he still receives. The sci-fi crime adventure is paired with Gotham on Monday nights at 9. (It has been announced that Morena Baccarin–who plays Ben McKenzie’s James Gordon’s love interest–has been upped to series regular for Gotham season 2.) FOX’s Tuesday lineup is all-new for the fall, featuring new single-camera sitcoms Grandfathered, starring John Stamos, and The Grinder, starring Rob Lowe. Rounding out the night at 10 is Ryan Murphy’s latest creation, one-hour comedy horror anthology Scream Queens with Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Empire sits tight at 9 on Wednesday, leading out of new crime procedural Rosewood starring Morris Chestnut (V) as a brilliant private pathologist in Miami. (Empire‘s episode count jumps to 18 episodes for season 2, musician Ne-Yo will write music alongside Timbaland’s production, and upcoming guest stars include Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, and Lenny Kravitz.) Veteran Bones and the returning Sleepy Hollow are paired on Thursday. Masterchef Junior movies to Fridays at 8, leading into World’s Funniest hosted by Terry Crews. Sunday’s lineup, including animated and live action fare, remains in tact: Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Family Guy, and The Last Man on Earth are all-new come September.

New series being held for midseason or later include dramas The Frankenstein Code (from Homeland & 24 executive producer Howard Gordon, loosely based on Mary Shelley’s creation) and Lucifer (starring a charismatic Tom Ellis as the Lord of Hell in the City of Angels). Six-episode event series The X-Files is primed to premiere Sunday, Jan. 24 following the NFC Championship game. New Girl, entering its fifth season, is also being saved for a January launch for two reasons: star Zooey Deschanel is pregnant, and the network wants to run it without interruptions this time around. New Girl will join newbies Grandfathered and The Grinder on Tuesdays, as well as midseason sitcom The Guide to Surviving Life. (There will be room on the schedule since Scream Queens has a limited run.) Also on tap for midseason is a new animated comedy from the minds of Seth MacFarlane and Mark Hentemann (Family Guy), Bordertown. A three-hour production Grease: Live with Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens will air live Sunday, Jan. 31. Lastly, American Idol will be back in January for its 15th and final season.

Jump after the break to preview FOX’s new fall and midseason series with video clips and descriptions. Continue reading Upfronts: FOX relies on fresh family sitcoms & recognizable dramas for upcoming TV season →

Vanity Fair scoops inside look at ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ with photos galore

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Stars Wars has been taking over the Internet lately; from the spectacular teaser trailer for The Force Awakens, to concrete details about the war-themed Rogue One standalone film as well as a fresh look at EA’s Battlefront video game, the hype train for Disney’s lucrative acquisition isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Just in time to celebrate Star Wars Day–May the Fourth be with you all–Vanity Fair has pushed out its cover for their upcoming June issue and look above to see who’s adorning it: from L-R there’s John Boyega as Stormtrooper Finn, the completely real and not-CGI new droid BB-8, Daisy Ridley as scavenger Rey, Peter Mayhew’s Chewie, and Harrison Ford back as Han Solo. Famed celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz was invited to the Force Awakens‘ set to snap the pic.

For more, head over to Vanity Fair. At the bottom of the page you’ll discover a photo gallery packed with never-before-seen looks at Oscar Isaac’s X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron, Game of Thrones‘ Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, 12 Years A Slave‘s Lupita Nyong’o as CGI’d character Maz Kanata, Girls‘ Adam Driver as baddie Kylo Ren, and more. The preceding article is also worth a read; in it, director J.J. Abrams teases an Easter Egg death for Jar Jar Binks, and he also reiterates his reliance on practical effects. Also, there’s video following Leibovitz on set!

Want a copy of the Star Wars-themed Vanity Fair to display on your coffee table? The June issue hits newsstands nationwide on Tuesday, May 12. Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theatres December 18.

Look out for mysterious ‘Wayward Pines’ and the return of ‘Halt And Catch Fire’ in May

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Welcome to May, the month typically associated with punchy TV season and series finales. While you’re dealing with anticipatory cliffhangers and dramatic conclusions, there are two shows coming on the air this month you shouldn’t let go under your radar.

Wayward Pines is a fresh Fox series created by Chad Hodge (The Playboy Club) and executive produced by filmmaker M. Knight Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs), based on the novel Pines by Blake Crouch. It’s a gripping, suspenseful mystery with a promised twist coming before the end of the 10-episode run, straight out of Shyamalan’s toolbox.

[The series] follows Secret Service agent Ethan Burke who, while investigating the disappearance of two fellow agents, finds himself trapped in the titular town, a Stepford village of the damned in which no one is allowed to leave. The citizens live in abject terror of the mysterious people in charge who run things via random phone calls, which seem to usually involve orders to commit terrible acts upon pain of death.

Matt Dillon (Crash) stars as Burke and Empire‘s Terrence Howard–who is pulling double duty for Fox here–plays the town sheriff. Check out the rest of this all-star cast: Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Toby Jones (Infamous), Carla Gugino (Entourage), Shannyn Sossamon (How To Make It In America), , Reed Diamond (24), Tim Griffin (Prime Suspect), Charlie Tahan (Charlie St. Cloud) and and Juliette Lewis (who currently stars in ABC’s Secrets & Lies).

The mystery begins to unravel when Wayward Pines premieres Thursday, May 14 at 9pm on Fox. Preview the series at YouTube.

Jump after the break to learn when AMC’s technologically infused drama Halt And Catch Fire returns for its second season. Continue reading Look out for mysterious ‘Wayward Pines’ and the return of ‘Halt And Catch Fire’ in May →

It’s Batman versus Superman in debut ‘Dawn of Justice’ trailer

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Less than a day after leaking online, Warner Bros. shifted the release date of the first Batman v Superman teaser trailer from Monday to today. That’s right–merely one day after Disney dropped its splendid second teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, WB is jumping into the limelight with a first look at its upcoming high-profile flick.

The first half of the two minute and thirteen second teaser focuses on a statue of Superman; as we zoom in closer and closer to it, a barrage of moral, philosophical, and even religious questions and statements fill in as noise. In a world that was introduced to Superman in Man of Steel, the people are questioning his status: is he a hero, a villain…the devil? Listen carefully and you’ll recognize Jesse Eisenberg’s voice in the mix; as Lex Luthor he says, “We know better now, don’t we? Devil’s don’t come from Hell beneath us; no, they come from the sky.” An unseen angry mob starts chanting “Go home! Go home!” and bam: the next shot reveals that the chestplate on the Superman statue has been defiled with words in red shouting “FALSE GOD.”

Next, enter Jeremy Irons’s disembodied voice. As Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred Pennyworth he speaks, “That’s how it starts. The fever. The rage. The feeling of powerlessness. That turns good men, cruel.” And here’s our latest glimpse at Ben Affleck as Bruce, who is staring with intent at his suit; is he pondering whether or not to don it and take down the “false god” once and for all?

More shots of the Caped Crusader fly by, and we also get peeks at his Bat-vehicles. But the most striking image is saved for last. A close-up of Batman’s cowl in a dark rainstorm reveals his ominous, glowing eyes; so, so cool. Henry Cavill’s Superman floats above him in the sky. Batman growls, “Tell me. Do you bleed?” The man from Krypton anchors to the ground with powerful force and just as he’s about to meet Batman’s gaze, everything goes black. “You will,” snarls Batman. Superman’s emblem takes over, with Batman’s logo as the backdrop.

It’s all very dark and gritty, just the way director Zack Snyder likes it. The teaser is cut extremely well, reintroducing Superman into a chaotic world and unveiling Batman as a promising adversary. Plus, you must admit, Affleck wears the suit well (those glowing eyes are so cool!) and manages the Bat’s signature voice with finesse.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens March 25, 2016.

Update (4/20): To celebrate the trailer’s release, Zack Snyder tweeted out a grand look at his take on the famed Bat Suit. Jump after the break to see it in all its glory. Continue reading It’s Batman versus Superman in debut ‘Dawn of Justice’ trailer →

TV reminder: 10 premieres to look out for in April

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Spring is here! Though we may be nearing the month where most of your favorite TV series wrap up for summer (I’m looking at you, May!), that doesn’t mean this is the end. In fact, there are a whopping 10 series premiering this month, four of which are brand new and demand your attention. Jump after the break for what you need to know. Continue reading TV reminder: 10 premieres to look out for in April →

Sony teases Batman-themed limited-edition PS4 ahead of ‘Arkham Knight’ release

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Sony’s got a new PS4 SKU in the works. No, it’s not quite as fancy (or incredibly rare) as the previously released 20th Anniversary console, but it’s something! Especially if you’re a fan of the Caped Crusader. To celebrate the upcoming summer release of the third and final entry in the Batman: Arkham video game trilogy, Sony is producing limited edition hardware featuring custom artwork. For $449.99, you can get the steel grey PS4 with a custom Batman: Arkham Knight faceplate, a matching steel grey DualShock 4 wireless controller, and of course a copy of Arkham Knight. Sony will also be selling an Arkham Knight bundle that includes the title and a standard jet black console and matching controller for $399.99. Both bundles will launch alongside the game on June 23. Preorder today.

[Via PS Blog]

Ryan Reynolds suits up for ‘Deadpool’ stand-alone spinoff

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After appearing in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds is set to reprise his superhero alter ego Deadpool in his own stand-alone spinoff film. In case you don’t know, Deadpool is perhaps Marvel’s most out-there superhero. Deadpool aka Wade Wilson aka “The Merc with a Mouth” is famous for his tendency to break the fourth wall. In his comic roots and even in video games, the character knows he’s a part of the medium he’s in. So for example, in the upcoming Deadpool movie, Reynolds’ character will be aware that he is in a movie. Freaky, huh? This opens the flood gates for all kinds of off-kilter hilarity.

The official synopsis goes like this: “Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.”

Deadpool is being directed by visual effects artist Tim Miller and Reynolds is joined by Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, and Gina Carano. It’s due out February 12, 2016. See Reynolds in the suit above; his tweet with the image reads, “With great power, comes great irresponsibility.” It parodies Burt Reynolds’ 1972 nude Cosmo centerfold (which Ryan Reynolds tweeted out for unsuspecting fans).

Update (4/1): Just in time for April Fool’s Day, a cheeky video featuring a faux-interview between Extra’s Mario Lopez and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has arrived and it confirms the movie’s R-rating (thank god). And yes, that is Reynolds in the suit. Watch it after the break. Continue reading Ryan Reynolds suits up for ‘Deadpool’ stand-alone spinoff →

Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor in ‘Dawn of Justice’

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Henry Cavill is Superman, Ben Affleck is Batman, Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa is Aquaman, and Jesse Eisenberg is Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder’s next superhero flick Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Here’s our first look at the Social Network star’s villainous turn as Superman’s bald nemesis, provided by Entertainment Weekly. When it was first announced that Eisenberg would be portraying Lex, people were skeptical about him filling those particular shoes. Though we’re still waiting on his performance, this harrowing still should assuage fears about him pulling it off. That’s one intimidating dome. What do you think?

“He’s not any of the Lexes that you’ve seen, that’s for sure,” Snyder tells EW, “other than him being a captain of industry and one person to the world and another person to himself. And bald, of course. Our Lex is disarming and he’s not fake. He says what he believes and he says what’s on his mind. If you can unravel the string and decipher what he means, it’s all there.”

BvS:DoJ releases March 25, 2016.

Movie trailer round-up: Ryan Reynolds in sci-fi thriller ‘Self/Less’ & Disney’s ‘Tomorrowland’

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Are you a fan of psychological science fiction thrillers? Self/Less should whet your appetite plenty. Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3) stars as an extremely wealthy man dying from cancer. He doesn’t want his life to terminate earlier than expected, so he undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man, played by Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern). It works, but it doesn’t take long for the dangerous side effects to kick in: Kingsley’s younger self starts to see glimpses of a life he does not know, experiences originating from Reynolds’ body.

It’s a very cool idea and it brings to mind the always interesting and up-for-debate conversation about who we are and what happens after death. Are we a soul and our bodies a receptacle for it? If so, do our souls move on to new bodies after dying? And do those new bodies having any sort of recollection of the soul’s past lives? I could go on and on… I’m hoping the movie explores these intriguing topics in a fun and entertaining way. We’ll find out when Self/Less hits theatres July 31.

Jump after the break for a new look at Disney’s Tomorrowland. Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: Ryan Reynolds in sci-fi thriller ‘Self/Less’ & Disney’s ‘Tomorrowland’ →