For many people, the high water mark for Sean Penn’s career is his role as Harvey Milk in the acclaimed drama, “Milk.” That film earned Penn his second Oscar and the film went on to earn eight total Academy Award nominations. But when you fast forward 16 years and look back at the choice to make the film with Penn in the lead role of a gay activist and trailblazing politician, there is a bit of a pause.

Continue reading Sean Penn Blames “A Timid & Artless Policy Toward The Human Imagination” For Why He Can’t Play A Gay Character Today at The Playlist.

Dakota Johnson (“The Lost Daughter”) and Sean Penn (“Mystic River”) are set to star in the upcoming single-setting drama “Daddio,” written and directed by Christy Hall in her feature-length directorial debut. The new cab ride film envisioned initially as a stage play, will hit the big screen on June 28, and Sony Pictures Classics has released a trailer for “Daddio,” giving audiences a better idea of what to expect from the pic that previously debuted at Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival last year.

Continue reading ‘Daddio’ Trailer: Dakota Johnson & Sean Penn Star In New Drama Coming June 28 at The Playlist.

Premiering at the Telluride Film Festival last year, “Daddio” seemingly came out of nowhere with a starry cast and a minimalist logline. Starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn, the film is essentially just a two-hander set in a taxi cab, where a driver (Penn) and the rider (Johnson) basically strike up a long and provocative conversation about life, politics, and their outlooks on the world.

Continue reading ‘Daddio’ Teaser Trailer: Dakota Johnson & Sean Penn Face Off In A Taxi Cab at The Playlist.

At this point, we’re almost two years removed from Will Smith‘s infamous on-stage slap of host Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars ceremony. So why is Sean Penn still talking about it? Well, it’s partially to drum up hype for his upcoming doc about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who wasn’t allowed to speak about Russian’s invasion of his country at the Academy Awards that year.

Continue reading Sean Penn Calls Will Smith’s Oscar Slap “His Worst Moment As A Person” at The Playlist.

The high-concept elevator pitch description for Christy Hall’s “Daddio” would probably be something along the lines of “‘Locke’ as a two-hander,” or maybe “‘Collateral’ without the killing,” though it’s better than either of those loglines might lead you to believe. The premise is a simple one: Dakota Johnson (never named on-camera) plays a young woman coming home to New York who takes a cab from JFK to her home in Hell’s Kitchen.

Continue reading ‘Daddio’ Review: Dakota Johnson & Sean Penn Shine in Christy Hall’s Schematic But Affecting Drama [TIFF] at The Playlist.

Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson might be A-list stars who have appeared in huge Hollywood productions, but that doesn’t mean the actors aren’t willing to take a chance on a bold idea, as in their new film, “Daddio.”

As seen in the first-look tease from EW, “Daddio” is one of the most unique films that will debut at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows the story of a woman who takes a cab home from the airport.

Continue reading ‘Daddio’ First Look: Dakota Johnson & Sean Penn Star In Single-Location Drama Coming To TIFF at The Playlist.

In Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s “Black Flies,” silence is as scarce a commodity as hope. Young first responder Ollie Cross (Tye Sheridan) learns very early on that the job comes with two partners: the one sitting next to you and the relentless cacophony of sounds that cut through the vastness of night as shears. The thudding of bodies on hard concrete, droplets of blood drained from veins in large gulps, the crackling of bones as they contort unnaturally, the bone-chilling notes of guttural weeping, and, on top of it all, the maddening high screeches of an ambulance siren, death’s roaring precursor. 

Continue reading ‘Black Flies’ Review: Sean Penn Is A Tormented American Hero In An Entertaining Yet Painfully Predictable Thriller at The Playlist.

There is a particular kind of audacity reserved for the wealthy and the well-meaning. Multi-award-winning actor and humanitarian Sean Penn co-directs “Superpower” with Aaron Kaufman, known mostly for his commercial work and his collaboration with writer-director Robert Rodriguez. Presented as a Special Gala at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, the result is an outrageously self-aggrandizing, pathetically lightweight documentary. 

READ MORE: ‘BlackBerry’ Review: Matt Johnson’s Chronicling Of The Rise & Downfall Of The BlackBerry Is A Boisterous Ode To The Underdog [Berlin]

Penn pulls double-duty as a presenter for the documentary, starting off acknowledging his own ignorance about anything to do with Ukrainian history until the Maidan Revolution of 2014 made global headlines.

Continue reading ‘Superpower’ Review: Sean Penn’s Co-Directed Documentary About The Ukraine War Is A Silly & Superficial [Berlin] at The Playlist.

There’s bound to be a critically reviled premiere at every film festival. But no debut in recent years has been more horrific than the premiere of Sean Penn’s “The Last Face” at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival (our F-grade review here). Penn’s passion project, starring Javier Bardem as a relief doctor in Africa who falls in love with Charlize Theron’s international aid worker, was torn to shreds by the Cannes audience.

Continue reading Javier Bardem Talks About Cannes Flop, Sean Penn’s ‘The Last Face’: “It Was A Disaster,” The Debut “Like A Funeral” at The Playlist.

“Gaslit” has a funny way of recalling a dark moment in American history. It takes a step back and asks: what if Watergate was more of a Coen brothers farce than the tense, paranoid ‘70s thrillers that came after it? That air of absurdity, of eccentric morons making plans that were far from airtight, introduces the amusing disgust of this story. Playing with historical events in an intimate lens (and based on the Slate podcast “Slow Burn”), “Gaslit” wonders what it might be like if complicit Attorney General John Mitchell just left his espionage checklist on the bedside for his wife Martha Mitchell to see, or that when the involved criminals were questioned by authorities, most of them clammed up like pre-teens caught smoking.

Continue reading ‘Gaslit’ Review: Sean Penn & Julia Roberts’ Quirky Watergate Series Is Coen-Brothers-Esque at The Playlist.

The era of true crime podcasts, with stories of political intrigue and abuses of power, continues to sweep the nation. “Gaslit,” an upcoming limited series from Starz, looks to give another glimpse at one of the most disruptive events in American history: Watergate.

READ MORE: ‘Gaslit’ First Look & Trailer: Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Betty Gilpin & More Star In A Watergate Series For Starz

Adapted from the first season of the Slate podcast “Slow Burn,” “Gaslit” examines the Watergate scandal from various different angles, from the accomplices and advisors to president Richard Nixon to the whistleblowers who dared to dig deep and find the truth.

Continue reading ‘Gaslit’ Trailer: Julia Roberts & Sean Penn Lead The Cast Of This Watergate Political Drama at The Playlist.

The Television Critics Association’s (TCA) Winter 2022 Press Tour is in full swing, which means many trailers, first looks, and more. STARZ showed off their wares today. One of the biggest highlights from their upcoming slate is the political thriller mini-series “Gaslit,” starring Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, which is now scheduled for an April 24 premiere on the cable channel. Co-starring Dan Stevens, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, Darby Camp, and Aleksandar Filimonović, “Gaslight” is about the Watergate scandal and focuses on several untold stories including Richard Nixon’s subordinates, deranged zealots, and the whistleblowers who would eventually bring the whole enterprise crashing down.

Continue reading ‘Gaslit’ First Look & Trailer: Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Betty Gilpin & More Star In A Watergate Series For Starz at The Playlist.

It’s not a surprise that Kevin Smith pitched an idea for a “Superman” film back in the ‘90s. The filmmaker has talked about his meetings with producer Jon Peters at length about just how crazy the version of ‘Superman’ was that Warner Bros. was working on at the time. But in a recent interview with Yahoo, Smith goes a bit deeper, talking about who he envisioned in the roles of Superman and Lex Luthor, as well as who Peters wanted to see as the lead. 

According to Smith, when he was pitching the idea of what would become “Superman Lives,” his original idea was to write it with Ben Affleck in mind as the superhero.

Continue reading Kevin Smith Says His Scrapped Version Of ‘Superman’ Was Intended For Ben Affleck at The Playlist.

For purists and ride or die fans who like to quibble over such things, there are two Paul Thomas Andersons. One is the young, ambitious, hyper-caffeinated auteur behind “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia,” full of confidence (maybe illicit substances, too), brio, and show-off-y talent (keyed up Scorsese-like camera moves and soundtracks and Robert Altman-like ensembles). The second version is the more relaxed and mature, some fans have dubbed the “Kubrick PTA,” the filmmaker behind more unhurried enigmatic works like “The Master” and “Phantom Thread.” Whichever one you prefer (and this seems to be a never-ending point of discussion between fans), Anderson’s latest effort, the whimsically titled “Licorice Pizza,” might be the great uniter.

Continue reading ‘Licorice Pizza’ Review: Paul Thomas Anderson Nostalgically Just Vibes In The Summery Cali ’70s Again at The Playlist.

When you watch the trailer for the new Paul Thomas Anderson film, “Licorice Pizza,” the setting of mid-‘70s Southern California brings to mind films of that era and others from decades ago. It’s clear the filmmaker was influenced by his own youth as well as other teen films. In a new interview with Variety, Anderson explains which films influenced his “Licorice Pizza” and explains how Sean Penn’s inclusion is a long time coming.

Continue reading Paul Thomas Anderson Originally Wanted Sean Penn For Crucial Roles In ‘Boogie Nights’ & ‘Punch-Drunk Love’ at The Playlist.

As you might have read, Paul Thomas Anderson has finally unveiled a first look at his new film—though only in select theaters—now officially titled “Licorice Pizza.” Luckily, by attending a 35mmm double feature at American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz 3 location, yours truly was accidentally privy to the honor of seeing the trailer for PTA’s majestic-looking new movie. Twice.

Reportedly first shown in front of “American Graffiti,” in London, the film previously known as “Soggy Bottom” is clearly the auteur’s foray into the rebel teen genre.

Continue reading ‘Licorice Pizza’ Trailer Breakdown: An Intimate Mash-Up Of ‘Inherent Vice’ & ‘Boogie Nights’ at The Playlist.

“Flag Day” isn’t just a father-daughter story on screen. It’s also a father-daughter story off-screen, as it stars both Dylan Penn and her father, Sean Penn, the latter of which also directs the awards-contending feature. So, it makes sense that the first single from the “Flag Day” soundtrack is also a father-daughter experience.

READ MORE: The 25 Best Music Documentaries Of The 21st Century So Far

“My Father’s Daughter” is a song featured in the upcoming film, “Flag Day,” which tells the story of a daughter who is amazed and adores her charismatic father.

Continue reading Sean Penn’s ‘Flag Day’ Gets A Music Video Collaboration Between Eddie Vedder & His Daughter at The Playlist.

Sean Penn recently made headlines refusing to return to the set of “Gaslit” until all of the cast and crew have been vaccinated. MGM Studios have seemingly capitalized on this media attention surrounding Penn, as they’ve released a brand new trailer for his latest directorial effort “Flag Day” that the studio scooped up during the Cannes Film Festival.

‘Flag Day’: Sean Penn’s Family Drama Is A Fine Showcase For Dylan Penn, But Otherwise Plays It Safe [Cannes Review]

Here is the official synopsis from MGM:

Best Of Cannes 2021: 15 Must-See Movies From The Festival

“Jennifer Vogel’s father John was larger than life.

Continue reading ‘Flag Day’ Trailer: Sean Penn Is A Complicated Father & Criminal In New Cannes Drama Coming In August at The Playlist.

Just a few days on the heels of “Stillwater,” another American entry in the Cannes Film Festival main competition section explores the complicated relationship between a father and daughter rooted in down-home Americana and close brushes with the law. “Flag Day” marks Sean Penn’s latest directorial return to Cannes since the critically-lambasted “The Last Face” from 2016.

Continue reading ‘Flag Day’: Sean Penn’s Family Drama Is A Fine Showcase For Dylan Penn, But Otherwise Plays It Safe [Cannes Review] at The Playlist.

Plus ‘Crestone,’ ‘F.T.A.,’ ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,’ ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ ‘Merrily We Go to Hell,’ ‘Trances,’ ‘Masculin Feminin,’ ‘Smile,’ ‘The Hot Spot,’ ‘Tank,’ ‘Sweet Liberty,’ ‘All-American Murder,’ ‘The Cellar,’ ‘Winterbeast,’ ‘Horizons West,’ and ‘The Wages of Sin.’

Continue reading The Best Movies To Buy Or Stream This Week: ‘The Good, The Bad & The Ugly,’ ‘The Mitchells Vs. The Machines’ & More at The Playlist.

With the lack of a Cannes (and a regular film festival circuit) in 2020 due to the pandemic, there were multiple reports that a lot of filmmakers were going to hold their work back until there could be a semi-normal event to premiere. Well, judging by early reports about which films might show up, it appears that Cannes 2021 could become a truly star-studded affair with some huge projects debuting at the event.

Continue reading Cannes 2021: New Films From Paul Thomas Anderson, Paul Schrader, Jane Campion, Sean Penn & More Could Premiere at The Playlist.

There are plenty of people that like to make Sean Penn the butt of jokes about how Hollywood stars like to insert themselves into political arguments. The iconic actor has spent years being very outspoken about his views, which definitely can rub people the wrong way. However, as seen in the new documentary, “Citizen Penn,” the actor is also someone that doesn’t just talk about doing the right thing, he’s willing to devote his life to making it happen.

Continue reading ‘Citizen Penn’ Trailer: New Doc Shows Sean Penn’s Extensive Work To Help People Across The World at The Playlist.

Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan are reportedly set to star in “Black Flies,” a new thriller directed by “A Prayer Before Dawn” director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire.

READ MORE: ‘Parallel’: Netflix Teams Up With ‘Source Code’ Writer For New Sci-Fi Heist Film

Deadline has the scoop on Sheridan and Penn joining the cast of “Black Flies,” an adaptation of the Shannon Burke of the same title.

Continue reading ‘Black Flies’: Sean Penn & Tye Sheridan Set To Star In Thriller About Paramedics at The Playlist.

Almost exactly a year ago today, it was reported that “Mr. Robot” creator Sam Esmail was teaming up with Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Joel Edgerton, and Armie Hammer to create a new political thriller series, “Gaslit.” Well, we now have more information about the show, including the network that will debut it. However, it appears that some things have changed over the past year.

Continue reading Sam Esmail’s ‘Gaslit’ Series Picked Up By Starz With Julia Roberts & Sean Penn Starring; Joel Edgerton Departs Project at The Playlist.

Though we don’t expect Spicoli to show up in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film about a kid growing up in Southern California during the ‘70s, social media is abuzz with a sighting of Sean Penn on the set of the filmmaker’s latest production, hinting that maybe the actor could be in the cast of the film.

READ MORE: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Son, Cooper, Is The Lead In Paul Thomas Anderson’s New Movie

Yes, there’s a lot of mights, maybes, and coulds when talking about the recent set pictures that appeared on Twitter, showing Sean Penn and Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of his upcoming untitled film (seen below).

Continue reading Sean Penn Visiting Paul Thomas Anderson On Set Leads People To Believe He’s In The Director’s New Film at The Playlist.