I blame Isaac Newton and his stupid third law. Just because 2018 has had more than its fair share of stunningly great movies, somehow physics dictates that it has to have had an equal but opposite counterbalance. And indeed so it has, more or less, come to pass. For every “Black Panther” there’s been a “Venom.” For every “Paddington 2” there’s been a “Peter Rabbit.” And for every newly minted future classic, such as “You Were Never Really Here” or “Burning” there has been a [REDACTED] or a [REDACTED] (our top 2 picks, you’re just gonna have to click) — movies so profoundly awful, from conception to execution that they will surely occupy plinths in the all-time Hall of Infamy.

Continue reading The Worst Films of 2018 at The Playlist.

The pop culture sensation of 2011 is now the erotic film franchise nobody wants to get into bed with. Let “Fifty Shades Freed” be a cautionary tale for Hollywood executives who try to capture a cultural moment that has little substance or lasting power.

The final chapter in the sexytimes series debuted with a weak $38 million, but it was enough to capture the top spot at the box office this weekend.

Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ Climaxes With Limp Franchise Finale [Box Office] at The Playlist.

The saga of everyone’s favorite (?), very dysfunctional couple for one last round on the big screen in “Fifty Shades Freed.” The question is whether or not their lavish lifestyle can survive flirting and a dark secret from their past.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are back, and now married, with Christian and Ana living the life of (kinky) domestic bliss. But oh no, their architect has eyes for Christian (I hate it when that happens!) and some Very Bad Person comes racing back into Ana’s.

Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ Trailer: Mrs. Grey Will See You Now at The Playlist.

Another year, another ‘Fifty Shades’ movie. “Fifty Shades Freed” is on the way and it will be the closing chapter of the trilogy based on E.L. James’ best-selling novels. While critics and audiences panned the previous entry, “Fifty Shades Darker,” for good reason, the film managed to turn a healthy profit, raking in $381 million at the box office.  With a release date near Valentine’s Day, when blockbuster competition is scarce, “Freed” is hoping to go out with a similarly sized bang.

Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ Trailer: Return To Christian Grey’s World at The Playlist.

“Fifty Shades Darker,” this February’s sequel to the softcore S&M blockbuster “Fifty Shades Of Grey,” wasn’t quite a hit the size of its predecessor — which would have been hard, given that the first movie took in a massive $600 million — but even with the sequel slump, it was undeniably profitable with its nearly $400 million haul.

Even if the film had tanked, it would have been too late — the third film in the series was shot more or less back-to-back with the second, and will hit theaters on the traditional February date for the franchise.

Continue reading Christian & Ana Go At It One Last Time In First Trailer For ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ [Watch] at The Playlist.

The stress of bringing a best-selling book to the big screen is already intense, but add an author who’s overzealously protective about their work and you have a recipe for conflict. There was no shortage of battles during the production of “Fifty Shades Of Grey,” with director Sam Taylor-Johnson admitting she got into “proper on-set barneys” with writer E.L. James. And screenwriter Kelly Marcel noted that the studio’s promise that she’d have creative flexibility were “utter bullshit,” adding that, “ultimately, Erika did have all of the control.” So, it’s not a big surprise that Taylor-Johnson has washed her hands of the erotica franchise.

Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Director Sam Taylor-Johnson Has “Literally Zero Interest” In The Sequels at The Playlist.

This year’s sequel “Fifty Shades Darker” couldn’t quite match the box office of its predecessor, “Fifty Shades Of Grey,” which made half a billion dollars worldwide, but given that E.L. James’ softcore bondage erotica novels are a few years past their pop-culture prime, a total near $400 million still feels like a huge victory, especially given that these films aren’t terribly expensive.

READ MORE: Kinky Sex Has Never Been More Boring Than In The Tortuously Dull ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ [Review]

The series will wrap up next year, with high box-office expectations once again for “Fifty Shades Freed,” and a first teaser has just arrived for the movie.

Continue reading Watch The First Teaser For Sexy Trilogy Closer ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ With Jamie Dornan & Dakota Johnson at The Playlist.

'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Sequels 'Fifty Shades Darker' And 'Fifty Shades Freed' Will Shoot Back-to-Back

Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Sequels ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ And ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ Will Shoot Back-to-Back at The Playlist.

Universal Announces New Dates For ‘Fast & Furious 8,’ ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Sequels, ‘Pacific Rim 2’ & More

Continue reading Universal Announces New Dates For ‘Fast & Furious 8,’ ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Sequels, ‘Pacific Rim 2’ & More at The Playlist.

Dakota Johnson And Jamie Dornan Want Big Raises For Being Tied Up For 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Sequels

Continue reading Dakota Johnson And Jamie Dornan Want Big Raises For Being Tied Up For ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Sequels at The Playlist.

No Discussions For Sam Taylor-Johnson To Direct 'Fifty Shades' Sequel, Plus More Controversy

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'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Sequels Reportedly In The Works Plus Hot New TV Spot

Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Sequels Reportedly In The Works Plus Hot New TV Spot at The Playlist.