At some point in the last decade, it became critical canon that the “Magic Mike” movies were “about” something. The sexy strippers were a nice marketing hook, but the films had a Trojan element to them – that’s the horse, not the condoms – for filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and crew. The first film in 2012 was “about” the economy. The sequel in 2015 was “about” female pleasure and the construction of the gaze.

Continue reading ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ Raucously Remixes Gene Kelly For The G-String Set [Review] at The Playlist.

On this episode of the Deep Focus podcast, host and Playlist EIC, Rodrigo Perez talks to Reid Carolin, the co-director and co-writer of “Dog,” which he made with co-writer/co-director and star Channing Tatum. Tatum’s been absent from the live-action big screen for nearly four years— the actor needed a break after his divorce and was feeling disillusioned with the industry. But part of the reason he was gone for so long, in addition to his personal life, was trying to write, direct, produce and star in the 20th Century Fox, “X-Men” spin-off “Gambit.” The film was a big passion project to Tatum but eventually fell apart after Disney bought Fox and absorbed it into the greater Marvel brand.

Continue reading Writer/Director Reid Carolin Talks ‘Dog’ With Channing Tatum, ‘Gambit,’ & ‘Magic Mike 3’ [Deep Focus Podcast] at The Playlist.

If you’ve seen the trailer for the new Channing Tatum vehicle “Dog” – and if you’ve been in a movie theater over the past couple of months, you probably have – you might think you know what to expect: a big lug and a tough dog have a bunch of wacky road trip adventures, softening up to each other along the way. So it might surprise you to learn that the scene of a kind-hearted woman showing our hero how to be affectionate to the canine is carefully cut so as not to reveal that our hero is literally wielding an axe.

Continue reading ‘Dog’ Review: A Narratively Messy and Tonally Uneven Directorial Debut for Channing Tatum at The Playlist.

Channing Tatum is back with a very different partner in the new comedy “Dog.” The MGM release stars Tatum as a former Army Ranger with one goal: attending another soldier’s funeral. He’s joined by a Belgian Malinois that complicates everything while changing how the grieving veteran sees life itself. 

“Dog” marks an important milestone in the actor’s career as he shares first-time director duties with Reid Carolin.

Continue reading ‘Dog’ Trailer: Love Is Complicated For Channing Tatum & His Difficult Army Ranger Dog at The Playlist.

Reid Carolin is set to make his directorial debut this month with “Dog,” which he also co-wrote. But make no mistake, Carolin is no newcomer to Hollywood, having produced a number of films and even, at one point, was attached to co-direct the superhero film, “Gambit,” years ago.

Speaking to The Playlist Editor-in-Chief, Rodrigo Perez, about his upcoming film, “Dog” (the full interview coming soon), Reid Carolin took some time to go through the saga that was attempting to bring “Gambit” to life on the big screen.

Continue reading Reid Carolin Says Channing Tatum’s ‘Gambit’ Was Only A Few Months Away From Filming When Disney “Scrapped It” at The Playlist.

Where has Channing Tatum been for six-odd years? Yep, the last time you saw Tatum in a live-action film was 2017’s “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” (though he does have a small “Free Guy” cameo). Marriage, children, divorce, it apparently takes its toll. In the interim, Tatum has basically only done animated voice work and hung out on Instagram. But now he’s back with his co-directorial debut, “Dog.” Directed with his producing partner Reid Carolin (they spent a few years seeing if they could direct Fox’s X-Men “Gambit” together to no avail), their debut effort is about a filthy animal unfit for human company… and a dog.

Continue reading ‘Dog’ Trailer: Channing Tatum Finally Returns In A Canine Buddy Comedy He Co-Directed at The Playlist.

Despite a couple of recent voice roles in animated films (“Smallfoot” and “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part“), Channing Tatum hasn’t been seen in a film since 2017’s “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.” However, with a few films already in the pipeline, it appears that Tatum is ready for a bit of a comeback, including his first time behind the camera in the upcoming road trip comedy “Dog.”

According to Deadline, Tatum will co-write, co-direct, and star in the upcoming film “Dog,” which follows the story of an Army Ranger and his Belgian Malinois dog, who must travel together to make it to their handler’s funeral.

Continue reading Channing Tatum To Co-Write, Co-Direct & Star In New Road Trip Comedy ‘Dog’ at The Playlist.

Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox will be complete later this year, but that hasn’t stopped fans from holding out hope for Fox’s “X-Men” and mutants universe. The reality though is rather grim, and Fox and longtime “X-Men” producer Lauren Shuler Donner, who spoke at TCA today, realizes that it’s Marvel and Kevin Feige who will be taking control and she and Simon Kinberg are not likely to return.

Continue reading ‘X-Men’ Producer Says She’s “Hopeful” ‘New Mutants’ Receives A Theatrical Release; Says ‘Gambit’s Fate Is Now In Marvel’s Hands at The Playlist.

Report: Channing Tatum Wants To Star In A 'Ghostbusters' Spin-Off With Chris Pratt

Continue reading Report: Channing Tatum Wants To Star In A ‘Ghostbusters’ Spin-Off With Chris Pratt at The Playlist.

Channing Tatum Will Make His Directorial Debut With Drama 'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock'

Continue reading Channing Tatum Will Make His Directorial Debut With Drama ‘Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock’ at The Playlist.

Joe Cornish To Helm Spy Thriller 'Section 6,' Channing Tatum Eyes 'The Son' To Direct & More

Continue reading Joe Cornish To Helm Spy Thriller ‘Section 6,’ Channing Tatum Eyes ‘The Son’ To Direct & More at The Playlist.

Steven Soderbergh & The Cast Of 'Magic Mike' Talk "Disturbing" Dance Sequences, Objectifying Men, Trusting The Thong & More

Continue reading Steven Soderbergh & The Cast Of ‘Magic Mike’ Talk “Disturbing” Dance Sequences, Objectifying Men, Trusting The Thong & More at The Playlist.

Is 'Magic Mike' Broadway Bound?

Continue reading Is ‘Magic Mike’ Broadway Bound? at The Playlist.

S.J. Kincaid's 'Insignia' & Michael Koryta's 'The Prophet' Getting Big Screen Adaptations

Continue reading S.J. Kincaid’s ‘Insignia’ & Michael Koryta’s ‘The Prophet’ Getting Big Screen Adaptations at The Playlist.