Not feeling “Red One” after its first trailer and early review? Well, there’s always “Dear Santa,” The Farrelly Brothers‘ upcoming Christmas comedy that premieres on Paramount+ later this month. Less raunchy and more kid-friendly than their usual fare, this could be one to watch with the family after Thanksgiving dinner (if one has the stomach for it).

READ MORE: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

What’s more, “Dear Santa” is a Jack Black affair, too.

Continue reading ‘Dear Santa’ Trailer: Jack Black’s Satan Is One Kid’s New Santa In The Farrelly Brothers’ Upcoming Christmas Comedy at The Playlist.

The Farrelly Brothers are comedy legends. Sure, not all of their films are gold, but they’ve made some of the most iconic comedies ever. But they haven’t made a film together in a decade (their last was “Dumb and Dumber To”). Thankfully, that’s about to change with their upcoming film, “Dear Santa.”

READ MORE: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

We finally got our first look at “Dear Santa” thanks to Entertainment Weekly, and in the pictures and interview, we get a sense of what exactly the Farrellys are bringing with their Christmas comedy.

Continue reading ‘Dear Santa’ First Look: Jack Black Plays Satan In The Farrelly Brothers’ New Comedy at The Playlist.

With the massive success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” the idea of kid-focused video game films is no longer scary. They can actually work and launch franchises. Now, it’s time for “A Minecraft Movie” to test that hypothesis.

READ MORE: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

As seen in the teaser, “A Minecraft Movie” follows a few kids along with Jason Momoa as they travel to the world of Minecraft.

Continue reading ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Trailer: Jason Momoa & Jack Black Lead The Cast Of The New Video Game Adaptation at The Playlist.

Do you guys remember “Anaconda?” It’s ok if you don’t because it’s not a great film. But the film stars Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight and tells the story of a group of people who go off into the jungle and come face to face with a massive, murderous anaconda snake. By and large, the film is terrible, but there are a few standout, meme-worthy scenes.

Continue reading Jack Black & Paul Rudd To Star In ‘Anaconda’ Reimagining From Director Tom Gormican at The Playlist.

Jack Black thinks it’s time to reprise one of his breakout starring roles. THR reports (via JOE) that the comedic actor said he’s “ready” to do a sequel to Richard Linklater‘s “School Of Rock,” the comedy from 2003.

READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024

“I wish there’d be a “School of Rock 2 Electric Boogaloo,”” Black told the outlet, a riff on the title to the 1984 sequel to “Breakin’,” a breakdanced-themed cult movie.

Continue reading ‘School Of Rock’: Jack Black Is “Ready” For A Sequel To The 2003 Comedy, Wants ‘The White Lotus’ Creator Mike White To Return To Write at The Playlist.

Since the original “Kung Fu Panda” debuted in 2008, Po, voiced by Jack Black, has been a very busy Dragon Warrior. There have been two sequels, 2011’s “Kung Fu Panda 2” and 2016’s “Kung Fu Panda 3,” and 123 episodes of television centered on the DreamWorks Animation franchise. That’s a lot of adventures, quests, fights, and dumplings for Po to experience over a relatively short period of time.

Continue reading ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Review: This Dragon Warrior Needs More Than Just A New Apprentice at The Playlist.

After a very long gestation period and extensive reshoots, Lionsgate’s “Borderlands,” an adaptation of the space Western science fantasy video game, finally arrives in theaters this summer.

Directed by Eli Roth (“Thanksgiving”), the star-studded cast includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Édgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis and Bobby Lee. People revealed a first look today, Blanchett playing the infamous outlaw character Lilith and the rest of the gang playing its motley crew gang of characters.

Continue reading ‘Borderlands Trailer: Cate Blanchett Leads Eli Roth’s Post-Apocalyptic Action Comedy at The Playlist.

It’s been eight years since “Kung Fu Panda 3,” but the fourth installment in the series finally returns in 2024 with the simply titled “Kung Fu Panda 4.” To be fair, “Kung Fu Panda” didn’t really go anywhere. The franchise pivoted to a Netflix series during the pandemic and even featured Jack Black again. But did anyone realize that series ran for three whole seasons?

Continue reading ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Trailer: Viola Davis & Awkafina Join Jack Black In The Dreamworks Animated Franchise at The Playlist.

Plenty of comedy and coming-of-age films are set in a classroom, some with troublesome students and others with reluctant teachers. These types of movies, especially in the early 2000s, were commonplace; however, few have stood the test of time, still hold their own, and have been enjoyed by the younger generations two decades later like “School of Rock” does. 

Ranked: The Best Characters In Richard Linklater’s Movies

“School of Rock” hit theatres on October 3, 2003, a full year before Aaron Samuels asked Cady Heron what day it was, opening at number one at the box office, leading Jack Black to skyrocket into stardom and inspiring an entire generation to “stick it” to “the man.” 

The film sees Black as Dewey Finn, an eccentric guitarist with delusions of fame who is kicked out of his band and desperate for work.

Continue reading ‘School Of Rock’ Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary With Collector’s SteelBook [Win A Copy In Our Giveaway] at The Playlist.

Critics had a mixed reception to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as it hit theaters, but audiences felt differently.  Universal and Illumination‘s take on the Nintendo franchise now holds the biggest global box office opening of any animated movie with $377.5 million. That’s a $277.5 million gross off of only five days in theaters. In other words: it’s time to start thinking about a sequel.

Continue reading ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’: Jack Black Wants Pedro Pascal To Play Wario In Potential Sequel at The Playlist.

Only 30% of gamers are under the age of 18, according to market research. A Nintendo-commissioned survey found that the same demographic represented only 17% of the highest-intent buyers for their Switch console. These data points may be entirely out of mind for anyone watching “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Yet they were almost assuredly top of mind for the team making the film.

READ MORE: ‘The Super Mario Bros.

Continue reading ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Review: An Unconvincing Nintendo Billboard, Unfortunately at The Playlist.

Remember “Shallow Hal?” That’s the comedy from the Farrelly Brothers that stars Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. But what it’s really remembered for is being incredibly offensive with the use of a fat suit and never-ending weight jokes. Well, good news! The folks who brought you “Shallow Hal” are ready to team up again for a new holiday comedy, “Dear Santa.”

READ MORE: ‘Champions’ Review: An Entertaining Feel-Good Underdog Sports Comedy That Wins On Charm

According to Deadline, Jack Black is set to star in the upcoming comedy film, “Dear Santa,” which will be directed by Bobby Farrelly, who is also producing alongside his brother, Peter, and Jeremy Kramer.

Continue reading ‘Dear Santa’: Jack Black Reteams With ‘Shallow Hal’ Filmmakers For A New Holiday Comedy at The Playlist.

“Super Mario Bros.” is arguably the biggest video game IP of all time. However, there’s never been a great movie adaptation, 1993’s “Super Mario Bros.” still kind of lives in infamy. However, Illumination and Nintendo joined forces a few years back to create “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” a new, big-screen adventure starring pop culture’s most prominent plumbers of the past four decades.

Continue reading ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’: The Nintendo Gang Get All Mario Karted In Final Trailer at The Playlist.

It’s been 14 years since “Kung Fu Panda” burst on the animation scene and proved to be a massive hit, grossing $631.7 million worldwide, which is pretty huge for a film without any existing I.P. Two sequels later, four short films, and three TV spinoffs, and $1.8 billion in box office receipts worldwide in total. Yes, it’s a bonafide cash cow franchise, which is why Netflix is getting into the action and is producing the animated series “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight” alongside Dreamworks Animation.

Continue reading ‘Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight’ Trailer: Jack Black Returns To Feel The Thunder In July at The Playlist.

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Do you remember what adventures you fantasized about having? While some of us may not recall the answers to these questions, Richard Linklater (“Boyhood“) has used his childhood fantasy to create his new film “Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood.”

While the space race reached its peak with the launch of NASA’s Apollo Program (1968-1972), the wonder of those years carries on.

Continue reading ‘Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood’: Richard Linklater Shows Us What It’d Be Like Live Our Childhood Dreams [Exclusive Clip] at The Playlist.

There’s a genuine, welcome sense of play to Richard Linklater’s “Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood,” and it’s present right off the bat, from the opening frames. This Netflix production marks the filmmaker’s return to rotoscope animation, the ingenious and striking drawn-over-the-top method that he brought into the mainstream with “Waking Life” and “A Scanner Darkly.” The technique’s real-but-not qualities were just right for those films, cranking up their (respectively) dreamlike and paranoid qualities; here, the M.O.

Continue reading ‘Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood’ Review: An Amiable, Rambling Memoir Film from Richard Linklater [SXSW] at The Playlist.

Richard Linklater’s last three films since 2013’s “Boyhood” didn’t exactly win over audiences completely. Sure, all three of those films had limited theatrical releases. And yes, “Everybody Wants Some!!” is “Dazed And Confused” for Millenials, while “Last Flag Flying” had a niche audience as a sequel to 1973’s “The Last Detail.” But the target crowd for “Where’d You Go Bernadette”?

Continue reading ‘Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood’ Trailer: Richard Linklater’s Latest Premieres At SXSW, Hits Netflix On April 1 at The Playlist.

Basic vaccine mandates for children to go attend public school, enter the military, or travel to certain countries, are as old and common as the day is long. Still, the politicized furor over Covid-19 vaccine mandates continues to make headlines. Hollywood is generally in the pro-vaccine camp—people want to work and be safe—so common sense says get vaccinated. Some actors have taken every precaution available: Sean Penn recently refused to appear on the “Gaslit” set until the entire cast and crew agreed to be vaccinated, only returning to the shoot after a compromise was made.

Continue reading Ice Cube Exits Sony’s ‘Oh Hell No’ After Refusing Vaccine, Losing Out On $9 Million Payday at The Playlist.

After watching “Sonic the Hedgehog” take over the box office last year, it appears Nintendo isn’t ready to sit idly by, as the company has announced plans for a “Super Mario Bros.” animated film with the team at Illumination studios.

LISTEN: After ‘Mortal Kombat,’ Here Are 3 Video Games That Should Be Adapted Into Films [The Playlist Podcast]

According to Illumination and Nintendo, the upcoming “Super Mario Bros.” animated film will feature a cast that includes Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.

Continue reading ‘Super Mario Bros.’: Chris Pratt Isn’t Ready To Debut His Mario Voice Just Yet But Says Everyone’s “Working Hard” On The Film at The Playlist.

If you’re a massive fan of the film, “The House with a Clock in Its Walls,” then, boy oh boy, do we have good news for you! You see, the two stars of that film, Cate Blanchett and Jack Black, are reuniting on the new action film, “Borderlands,” with ‘Clock’ filmmaker Eli Roth. It’s a reunion, uh, three years in the making.

Continue reading Jack Black To Reunite With Cate Blanchett & Eli Roth In ‘Borderlands’ Film As The Voice Of Claptrap at The Playlist.

As 2021 stream-rolls in, we’re extremely excited to see what new movies we can look forward to soon. One that comes out next month, “Happily” from writer/director BenDavid Grabinski and producer Jack Black, just released a brand spanking new trailer, which gives a glimpse of the dark romantic comedy from Paramount and Saban Films.

READ MORE: Joel McHale Teases “Rumblings” About A ‘Community’ Film To Fulfill “Six Seasons & A Movie” Destiny

“Happily,” follows Tom (Joel McHale) and Janet (Kerry Bishé), who, after 14 years of marriage, still can’t keep their hands off each other.

Continue reading ‘Happily’ Trailer: A Dark Romantic Comedy Starring Joel McHale & Kerry Bishé Releases March 19 at The Playlist.

Netflix apparently had a surprise up its sleeve to celebrate the anniversary of the Apollo mission to the Moon in 1969—a new live-action/animated hybrid film from writer-director Richard Linklater.

According to Deadline, Netflix is set to distribute “Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure,” written and directed by Linklater. The film, as the title suggests, is set in the era of the 1969 Apollo mission and is heavily influenced by the filmmaker’s experience living in Houston, Texas during that time.

Continue reading Richard Linklater Directing Jack Black In A New Live-Action/Animated Feature About The Moon Landing at The Playlist.

When “Jumanji” was released in 1995, audiences played along with its outlandish premise—a boy getting sucked into a board game—and for its spellbinding special effects. Those effects don’t look so special in 2019. But the story of kids getting lost in another world holds up, which is why it got an extra life in 2017. With a board game being swapped for a video game, little kids being swapped for a roll call of “Breakfast Club” misfits, the charming premise got a modern update in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” It also made a lot of money ($962 million worldwide), so now there’s a sequel to the reboot.

Continue reading ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’: The Uninspired Sequel Settles For More Of The Same [Review] at The Playlist.

With “Hellboy,” “Men in Black,” “Charlie’s Angels” and a handful of Disney classics, 2019 seems to be the year of the reboot. We’re clocking in one more with “Jumanji: The Next Level” before the year’s end. With the tragic death of Robin Williams in 2014, creating a soft reboot of one of his movies a mere three years later seemed like a huge risk.

Continue reading ‘Jumanji’ Sequel Trailer: Dwyane Johnson, Kevin Hart & The Gang Take It To The ‘Next Level’ at The Playlist.

“Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle” was a surprise hit in 2017 and it took the movie world off guard for dozens of reasons. First, no one really knew there was that much affection for the “Jumanji” franchise—the movie based on the original 1995 film starring Robin Williams— though the truth may be, it wasn’t so much the brand itself, but an entertaining movie that really pleased family audiences looking for something to watch during the Christmas season of that year.

Continue reading ‘Jumanji’ Sequel Trailer: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart & Co. Try And Take Things To The ‘Next Level’ at The Playlist.