Baltasar Kormákur’s man vs. lion adventure film “Beast” is positively Spielbergian … late Spielberg, that is. Unlike the fan service-dependent tributes like “Stranger Things” and its nostalgic ilk, Kormákur studies the craftsmanship of the modern blockbuster’s father more than his cultural impact. (Though one character in the film does give a nod to the master by wearing a “Jurassic Park” tank top, that level of wink is harmless.) With the partnership and handiwork of Oscar-winning cinematographer Philippe Rousselot, Kormákur follows the compass that has made Spielberg a class above his competition.

Continue reading ‘Beast’ Review: A Slightly Spielbergian Creature Feature With A Real Roar at The Playlist.

As the blockbuster season winds down, August is always an odd time for new releases. While there are still a few tentpole-style films on the radar, starting off with this week’s David Leitch-directed, star-studded “Bullet Train,” there’s plenty more to explore on the smaller scale. From prequels being quietly released on streamers to multiple festival hits making way to theatrical releases and George Miller’s return, the schedule feels particularly eclectic. 

READ MORE: 14 TV Shows To Watch In August: ‘Reservation Dogs,’ ‘House Of The Dragon’ & More

The lineup is light on notable streaming releases, however, despite a few exceptions here and there.

Continue reading 13 Movies To See In August: ‘Bullet Train,’ ‘Prey,’ ‘Funny Pages’ & More at The Playlist.

Ever had a holiday and by some random turn of events, it’s just gone incredibly wrong? Maybe you forgot to pack your swimsuit or that extra pair of underwear. Whatever it is, it can’t be as bad as being chased by bloodthirsty lions. “Beast” is a survival thriller from Universal Pictures, directed by Baltasar Kormakur. The Icelandic director is known for his movies such as “Everest” and “Adrift.” 

READ MORE: ‘Moonage Daydream’ Trailer: Brett Morgen Illuminates The Life & Art of David Bowie In New Cannes Doc.

Continue reading ‘Beast’ Trailer: Idris Elba’s Killer Lion Thriller Flick From Universal Pictures at The Playlist.

There are certain animals that will always scare the crap out of people. Sharks are one. Bears are another. And of course, there are lions, perhaps the fiercest of them all. And in the upcoming film, “Beast,” that predatory feline squares off against none other than Idris Elba.

READ MORE: Zazie Beetz, Lakeith Stanfield, Regina King & More Join Idris Elba In The Western ‘The Harder They Fall’

According to THR, Elba is set to star in the upcoming film, “Beast,” from director Baltasar Kormakur.

Continue reading ‘Beast’: Idris Elba Will Be Stalked By A Lion In ‘Everest’ Filmmaker’s Upcoming Thriller at The Playlist.

It was only five years ago that the ‘X-Men’ film franchise felt reinvigorated, thanks to the success of the film “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” That film, combining the casts of the original trilogy with the characters introduced in ‘First Class,’ was a big hit with critics and fans, leading many to think that there was plenty left in the ‘X-Men’ tank. As was proven by the recent “Dark Phoenix,” that tank is very much dry.

Continue reading Read The Script For An Unproduced ‘X-Men’ Spin-Off Film About Beast & Wolverine Inspired By Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ at The Playlist.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts revealed the winners of the 2019 BAFTA Awards on Sunday and it crowned a frontrunner for the Best Picture Oscar, “Roma.”  Alfonso Cuaron’s autobiographical drama took Best Film over “The Favourite” which dominated the rest of the proceedings.

“Roma” also won Best Director (Cuaron) as well as Film Not in the English Language (Foreign Language Film) and Best Cinematography.  Along with the DGA honor for Cuaron, it nudges the Netflix release into pole position for Oscar’s top prize.  

Continue reading ‘Roma’ Wins Best Film As ‘The Favourite’ Dominates 2019 BAFTA Awards at The Playlist.

What you hear is the deep sigh of frustration of Marvel fans everywhere as the realization of a year wait until the next ‘Avengers‘ installment sets in. Although the next tentpole Marvel film, “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” doesn’t hit theaters until later this summer, there’s plenty of blockbuster fare to strike a similar exciting chord revving up in May, along with plenty of films that filter in through different niches of independent filmmaking.

Continue reading 12 Movies To Watch In May at The Playlist.

“I can fix that” These are words we hear Pascal (Johnny Flynn) speak to Moll (Jessie Buckley) during their first meeting. These words may sound familiar since it was a phrase Sam repeated to Kate in “Holes,” but don’t get all excited. There’s a possibility that this love story is headed in the same dreadful direction as Sam and Kate’s. Well, maybe not that far, but it doesn’t look like “Beast” is going to have much of a happy ending.

Continue reading ‘Beast’ Trailer: Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn Could Be the Perfect Match In This Thrilling Drama at The Playlist.

Johnny Flynn is perhaps best known as Dylan, the perpetually heart-sad lead of the terrific Netflix series “Lovesick.” However, in the upcoming “Beast,” the actor trades in his floppy haired melancholic woes for an eerie mystery set on the isle of Jersey, just off the coast of England.

Written and directed by Michael Pearce, and co-starring Jessie Buckley, the story follows the romance that blooms between enigmatic stranger Pascal, and the socially and emotionally repressed Moll.

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Growing up and living on the tiny island of Jersey can’t make it easy to escape your past. Located off the coast of Britain, writer and director Michael Pearce, making his feature debut with “Beast,” presents the picturesque enclave as one guarded by a noted strain of conservatism, if not oppression. Certainly, Moll (Jessie Buckley) sees her own life bound by the rigid rules laid out by her mother Hilary (Geraldine James), who keeps hawk-like watch over her daughter following a harrowing incident that haunts their relationship years later.

Continue reading ‘Beast’ With Johnny Flynn Roars, But Needs More Bite [TIFF Review] at The Playlist.

TIFF Exclusive: Garret Dillahunt Trains A 'Beast' In Boxing Thriller

Continue reading TIFF Exclusive: Garret Dillahunt Trains A ‘Beast’ In Boxing Thriller at The Playlist.