AMC Networks announced today the premiere date for its highly anticipated new drama 61st Street, starring Emmy®-winner Courtney B. Vance, ahead of the series’ world premiere at SXSW. From BAFTA-winner Peter Moffat, J. David Shanks and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, the series debuts Sunday 10 April with the first two episodes streaming exclusively on AMC+ in Australia. New episodes will rollout weekly on Sundays.
From AMC Studios, 61st Street is a propulsive thriller which courses through the dark heart of the infamous Chicago criminal justice system as police and prosecutors investigate a deadly drug bust that threatens to unravel the police department’s code of silence. Vance (The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Lovecraft Country), leads an ensemble cast that includes Emmy®-nomineeAunjanue Ellis (When They See Us, King Richard), Mark O’Brien (City on a Hill, Blue Bayou),Holt McCallany (Mindhunter, Lights Out), Tosin Cole (Doctor Who, Hollyoaks), Andrene Ward-Hammond (Your Honor, Manifest) and Bentley Green (Snowfall, Sweet Magnolias).
The series is executive produced by Moffat (The Night Of, Your Honor), Shanks (The Chi, Seven Seconds, Shots Fired), Outlier Society’s Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo (Just Mercy, David Makes Man), Alana Mayo (Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, Just Mercy), Jeff Freilich (Lodge 49, Dispatches from Elsewhere) and Hilary Salmon (MotherFatherSon, The Night Of, London Spy).
Summary: A rogue artificial intelligence kidnaps the son of famed basketball player LeBron James, who then has to work with Bugs Bunny to win a basketball game.
Year: 2021
Cinema Release Dates: 15th July 2021 (Australia), 2nd September 2021 (Thailand), 16th July 2021 (UK), 16th July 2021 (US)
VOD Release Dates: TBA
Country: USA
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Screenwriter: Celeste Ballard, Keenan Cooglar, Jesse Gordon, Terence Nance, Tony Rettenamier, Juel Taylor
Cast: Harper Leigh Alexander (Xosha James), Kenny Apel (Albus Dumbledore), Eric Bauza (Daffy Duck/Porky Pig/Foghorn Leghorn/Elmer Fudd/Marvin The Martian (voice)), Bob Bergen (Tweety Bird (voice)), Jeff Bergman (Bugs Bunny/Slyvester/Yosemite Sam/Fred Flinstone/Yogi Bear (voice)), Sue Bird (herself), Don Cheadle (Al G. Rhythm), Rosario Dawson (Wonder Woman (voice)), Anthony Davis (himself), Kris Davis (Malik), Draymond Green (himself), Jalyn Hall (Young Malik (13 Years)), Wood Harris (Coach C), Gabriel Iglesias (Speedy Gonzales (voice)), LeBron James (himself), Cedric Joe (Dom James), Michael B. Jordan (himself), Stephen Kankole (Young LeBron (13 Years)), Damian Lillard (himself), Sonequa Martin-Green (Kamiyah James), Candi Milo (Granny (voice)), Nneka Ogwumike (himself), Justin Roiland (Rick/Morty (voice)), Xosha Roquemore (Shanice James), Sarah Silverman (Warner Bros. Executive), Mike Strong (Jim West), Fred Tatasciore (Taz (voice)), Diana Taurasi (herself), Klay Thompson (himself), Aja Wilson (himself), Ceyair J. Wright (Darius James), Steve Yuen (Warner Bros. Executive), Zendaya (Lola Bunny (voice))
Running Time: 115 mins
Classification: PG (Australia), U (UK), PG (USA)
OUR SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY REVIEWS
David Griffiths’ Space Jam: A New Legacy Review:
If you a fan of NBA basketball you will know that over the past few years there has been a huge debate over who deserves to be called the greatest basketballer of all time. Is the great man of the 80s and 90s – six time championship winner Michael Jordan. Is it the sadly deceased Koby Bryant or is it the man quickly closing in on Jordan’s championship and MVP records – LeBron James.
Well know Warner Bros. have entered a new chapter into that debate. First Michael Jordan was the star of the orginal Space Jam movie back in 1996 and now they have made LeBron James the star of its sequel – Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Storywise the brand new film is pretty basic. James plays himself although in this world he is at logger-heads with his youngest son Dom (Cedric Joe – Loving Him). Dom is a gifted young video game maker who wants to attend an elite Gamers Camp while LeBron wants his son to follow in his footsteps and to attend a Basketball Camp.
Those two worlds then collide when Warner Bros. high successful algorithm, literally a digital figure named Al G. Rhythm (Don Cheadle – Crash), makes the decision that the company needs to hire LeBron and digitally insert him into some classic shows and movies. LeBron laughs and rejects the idea and in anger Al G. Rhythm lures both he and his son into the Warner Bros. world where he challenges him to a basketball game to show who has the ‘skills.’
Al G. Rhythm then sets out to create a super-team using the nearly unbeatable players that Dom has created for his game while LeBron is reduced to putting together a team with the forgotten Looney Tunes stars – including the fan favourites Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Roadrunner.
The premise behind the film is basic but somehow director Malcolm D. Lee (Girl’s Trip) manages to make it all work. It is obvious that the film is supposed to be a vehicle to not only bring the Looney Tunes back to into popularity with a younger generation but to also showcase the entire WB World. There are a plethora of characters appearing from other WB franchises throughout this film so no you aren’t seeing things if you suddenly see King Kong or Voldermort appear… and at times the film itself plays up to that with heavy references to films such as The Matrix.
While some may view that as a negative it does actually become a positive for the film because it ends up meaning that this is a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family. In fact you could argue that while this is clearly a film aimed at kids it is a film that will largely be loved by adults because of the nostalgia factor. If your kids are not fans of basketball or haven’t raided your own Looney Tunes VHS collection then chances are they are going to wonder what on Earth is happening throughout the film.
Of course what WB is actually hoping for is that your kids will fall in love with the good old Looney Tunes characters off the back of this film and that is something that could certainly happen. The animation team behind the film do change-up things up during the film and try to make the Looney Tunes characters look more modern and to a certain extent it does work.
The other big question that people are going to wonder going into this film is does LeBron James have the acting ability to pull off a movie like this. The simple answer to that is yes, the long answer is don’t expect to see him in any Oscar winning roles anytime soon. James does what it takes to make this film work and he is more than passable even in scenes where he has to reach for his emotions. The man who steals the show though is Don Cheadle who seems to be channelling Jack Nicholson’s performance in The Witches Of Eastwick throughout the film.
To sum up Space Jam: A New Legacy is not a waste of time but be prepared as an adult to get more out of this film than your kids will. It’s loud, it’s funny and at times is a walk down memory lane.
Twelve-year-old Eli unknowingly stumbles upon the frightening carnage of a massacre and finds a discarded futuristic super-weapon. Recently released from prison, Eli’s older brother Jimmy realises he can’t escape his criminal past when an ex-associate threatens to kill him and his family. In a misguided attempt to protect his loved ones, Jimmy makes a fatal mistake and must go on the run with Eli to save their lives.
With danger at every turn, it seems the only thing keeping the pair alive is Eli’s mysterious new gun. Eli soon discovers he has a strong connection to the weapon and the two otherworldly strangers following their path of destruction.
Release Date: August 30
Starring: Jack Reynor, Zoë Kravitz, Carrie Coon, Dennis Quaid, James Franco, Michael B. Jordan
This weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige took the stage in Hall H for a panel to showcase the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted by Chris Hardwick.
These are the films that were looked at:
BLACK PANTHER is in U.S. Cinemas February 16, 2018 / Australia release date TBC, 2018
The panel kicked off with surprise guests from BLACK PANTHER, including cast members Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye) and director Ryan Coogler, making their first official appearance as a cast.
THOR: RAGNAROK is in U.S. Cinemas November 3, 2017; Australia release date October, 2017
Chris Hemsworth (Thor) from the upcoming THOR: RAGNOROK didn’t want to be left out of the Comic-Con fun despite being mid-shoot in Australia and sent a video highlighting what Thor has been up to since the last Avengers. An in-production sizzle reel gave the audience in attendance a sense of what’s to come.
DOCTOR STRANGE is in U.S. cinemas November 4, 2016 / Australia release date October 27, 2016
For the first time, fans were introduced to the cast of DOCTOR STRANGE: Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Stephen Strange), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), Rachel McAdams (Doctor Christine Palmer), Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius) and Benedict Wong (Master Wong) along with director Scott Derrickson and treated to brand new never-before-seenfootage from the film.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is in U.S. Cinemas May 5, 2017/ Australia release date April, 2017
The panel was taken over by the Ravagers from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, and Kevin Feige announced the brand new Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! (more information below and attached) attraction at Disney California Adventure, followed by a surprise appearance from returning cast members Chris Pratt (Peter Quill), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Michael Rooker (Yondu) and new additions Kurt Russell (Ego), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Elizabeth Debicki (Ayesha) alongside director James Gunn. They treated fans to exclusive footage from the film. The following pieces of art were also revealed.
More about Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Debuting in summer 2017, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will take Disney California Adventure park guests through the fortress-like museum of the mysterious Collector, who is keeping his newest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy, as prisoners. Guests will board a gantry lift which launches them into a daring adventure as they join Rocket Raccoon in an attempt to set free his fellow Guardians. The new attraction will transform the structure currently housing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ into an epic new adventure, enhancing the breathtaking free fall sensation with new visual and audio effects to create a variety of ride experiences. Guests will experience multiple, random and unique ride profiles in which the rise and fall of the gantry lift rocks to the beat of music inspired by the film’s popular soundtrack.
CAPTAIN MARVEL is in U.S. Cinemas March 8, 2019 / Australia release date TBC, 2019
As a final surprise, Kevin Feige introduced the brand new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson, who will be playing Captain Marvel aka Carol Danvers in CAPTAIN MARVEL.
This week on The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Adam, Dave, Greg and Nick take a look at new release films ‘Creed,’ ‘Absolutely Everything,’ ‘Love The Coopers,’ The Program, and ‘By The Sea’. This episode also contains interviews with Ryan Coogler, Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, David Walsh Louise Wadley (All About E), Butch Patrick (Monster Fest), George Moise (Counter Clockwise), Megan Riakos (Crushed), Dee Wallace (Monster Fest), Fred Williamson (Monster Fest), Ian Meadows (Scare Campaign), John Quong Tart (Scare Campaign), Ursula Dabrowsky (Inner Demon), Jason M. Koch (Pig Pen), Richard Wolstencroft (The Second Coming) and there’s a chat with the co-curator of the Retro Hollywood Film Festival.
Also take a listen as the boys launch a brand new giveaway thanks to Ursula Dabrowsky. Take a listen to our interview with Ursula to see how you could win a signed copy of her new film Inner Demon.
To listen to the show or can download it for free from our Podcast Channel – Listen/Download here.
