We are only one weekend into the new fall film season (not counting last week, as “It: Chapter Two” was basically the final summer blockbuster event), and we’ve already seen one big surprise winner and one massive bomb. And people wonder why more studios don’t take chances with prestige dramas? Well, you should probably go ask Warner Bros.

READ MORE: Andy Muschietti Talks Bad Endings, Ritchie’s Story & More In Our Spoiler-Filled Discussion [The Fourth Wall]

As expected, Warner Bros.

Continue reading Warner Bros. Says ‘The Goldfinch’ Bombed Due To Lack Of Interest As ‘Hustlers’ Scores Massive Payday [Box Office] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – The Toronto International Film Festival can be dizzying not only for the press but also attendees.  When I sit down to talk to Lorene Scafaria, the director of “Hustlers,” she immediately jokes that she hopes she’s awake, “I just finished the movie, so I’m definitely still dreaming about it. Like at school when I graduated, but I still think I have a test so…”

READ MORE: “Hustlers:” Jennifer Lopez’s drama comeback is a welcome surprise [Review]

Scafaria can absolutely breathe easier now.  

Continue reading ‘Hustlers’ Director Lorene Scafaria Isn’t Surprised By Jennifer Lopez’s Oscar-Worthy Turn [Interview] at The Playlist.

While the festival season has really only just begun—Telluride is over, we’re in the middle of Venice, and the Toronto International Film Festival just beginning—there are plenty of films being released in September that have already earned some well-deserved buzz or promise to entice audiences based on the trailers alone. And with all due respect to titles like “Blinded by the Light,” “The Farewell,” and “Ready or Not,” things are certainly looking up from the rather abysmal last two months.

Continue reading 10 Films To See In September: ‘Goldfinch,’ ‘Ad Astra,’ ‘Dick Long’ & More at The Playlist.

The upcoming film “Hustlers” had a bit of a unique problem with its marketing. And by problem, I mean, the film released a trailer that was perfectly constructed, advertising the story, the all-star cast, and featured music that would get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Whereas most films take a few trailers to land the right mix of the above attributes, “Hustlers” did it right out of the gate.

Continue reading ‘Hustlers’ Final Trailer: Cardi B Teaches Constance Wu How To Give A Lap Dance In TIFF-Premiering Film at The Playlist.

Considering Jermaine Dupri’s controversial recent comments about female rappers—all they ever talk about is sex and strippers, lol, like male rappers haven’t talked about sex, drugs and the same ol kind of boasting for four decades—maybe now’s a good time to have a frank conversation about strippers. And or, the trailer for STX’s “Hustlers,” about former strippers who pull a con job on Wall Street elites, feels well-timed.

Continue reading ‘Hustlers’ Trailer: JLO, Constance Wu, Cardi B & More Are Strippers Looking To Score at The Playlist.

Way back in August of last year, it was revealed that Jennifer Lopez was attached to star in a new film from director Lorene Scafaria, based on an article about exotic dancers that band together to hustle money out of their Wall Street clients. The film was said to be on the hunt for more major names to fill out the cast. However, that was all derailed when Annapurna dropped the film in October.

Continue reading Cardi B, Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer & More Join Jennifer Lopez In Strip Club Thriller ‘Hustlers’ at The Playlist.

Jennifer Lopez’s filmography is a bit of a rollercoaster. There are some really decent movies like “Selena” and “Out of Sight.” But those films are buried under what feels like a ton of other middling rom-coms and thrillers. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress/singer/celebrity is hoping to bring home a quality film with her next movie “Hustlers.”

The film, based on the New York magazine article titled “Hustlers at Scores,” tells the true story of a group of former strip club employees that create a scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars from their Wall Street clientele.

Continue reading Jennifer Lopez To Star In Strip Club Crime Film ‘Hustlers’ From Director Lorene Scafaria at The Playlist.

With Marvel presenting Brie Larson as “Captain Marvel” at the San Diego Comic Con this summer, it was easy to forget the movie still didn’t have a director. But it looks like the studio is zeroing in one who will helm their first superhero movie led by a woman.

THR reports that Niki Caro (“Whale Rider,” “North Country,” the upcoming “The Zookeeper’s Wife” starring Jessica Chastain), Lorene Scafaria (“Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World,” “The Meddler“) and TV veteran Lesli Linka Glatter (“Twin Peaks,” “Homeland,” “Mad Men“) are all on the shortlist for the gig. 

Continue reading Niki Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter & Lorene Scafaria In Contention To Direct ‘Captain Marvel’ at The Playlist.

Well, that escalated quickly. Over the weekend, an interview emerged with director John Carney in which he used an opportunity to promote “Sing Street” to slam Keira Knightley, the lead actress in his far less well received “Begin Again.” He blamed the Oscar nominated actress for letting her entourage get in the way of making the movie and suggested she wasn’t quite ready to go to lengths required of top level talent.

Continue reading Mark Romanek, Lorene Scafaria & Lynn Shelton Defend Keira Knightley at The Playlist.

Watch: Susan Sarandon Messes With Rose Byrne's Life In First Trailer For 'The Meddler'

Continue reading Watch: Susan Sarandon Messes With Rose Byrne’s Life In First Trailer For ‘The Meddler’ at The Playlist.

TIFF Review: Lorene Scafaria's 'The Meddler' Starring Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne & J.K. Simmons

Continue reading TIFF Review: Lorene Scafaria’s ‘The Meddler’ Starring Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne & J.K. Simmons at The Playlist.