Paramount Pictures released the third trailer for ‘Star Trek Beyond’ featuring “Sledgehammer” by Rihanna.
The 2016 Summer Blockbuster Season has been very bland, to say the least. After ‘Captain America: Civil War’ it’s been a string of miss fires with ‘X-Men: Apocalypse,’ ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows,’ ‘Warcraft,’ and now ‘Independence Day Resurgence.’
Could ‘Star Trek Beyond’ which hits theaters on July 22 be the blockbuster we’ve been waiting for?
‘Star Trek Beyond,’ the next installment in Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry, returns with director Justin Lin at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew. In ‘Beyond,’ the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.
The film stars Idris Elba, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Anton Yelchin.
Game of Thrones began its unlikely journey to TV’s paramount series with an encyclopedia of names, families, histories, battles, cities, etc. to explain to a mostly unknowing audience. To say it was inaccessible would have been a compliment to what David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were attempting to accomplish. They knew, like George R.R. Martin before them, that character was always key when grounding an audience in your fantastical world of dragons, faceless assassins and incest. We’re at the point in Game of Thrones where the field has become simplified. Yes, there are still hundreds of houses carrying thousands of years of political and social intrigue likely yet to be discovered but the world is still shrinking to manageable proportions. It needs to in order to feel intimate and physical and painful in the small bit of story yet to come. ‘The Winds of Winter’ tells us that we are finally at our destination. Winter is here and it’s time to act.
In ‘The Winds of Winter’, ceremony again takes the forefront as each character uses symbols to dress the parts of power in which they’ve been bestowed. After some time away, we are back in King’s Landing to see the trials of both Loras Tyrell and Cersei Lannister. Cersei dresses herself in a stunning black dress that’s very ill-fitting for a trial as King Tommen readies himself with his crown. After Loras repents for his sins and accepts a life in service of the Seven, The Faith Militant carve their sigil into his forehead. You’re nothing in the Seven Kingdoms unless you wear it on your body.
In the biggest thinning of the crowd since The Red Wedding, Cersei’s long-telegraphed plot to burn down the High Sept in Wildfire came to brutal fruition. In operatic fashion, we’re led through Cersei’s endgame with a gorgeous piano score floating in and out of our characters’ heads as they come closer to their demise and victory. Taking down nearly the entire Tyrell family and The Faith Militant in one fell swoop* was both satisfying and excruciating. Margaery’s feigned alliance with The High Sparrow got her in this mess and The Sparrow will keep her in it until the bitter, fiery end.
*I will really miss Margaery on this show but she was always destined to lose to Cersei.
If only Cersei hadn’t overlooked the needs and thoughts of her own son, she’d still have one child left. King Tommen, a believer in the Faith because of his love for Margaery, sees the Sept burning in the distance and falls out of his window, ending his own life and reign. At the end of the episode, Cersei Lannister sits on the Iron Throne, wearing a brand new crown made for a brand new Queen. This has always been her goal. Her children, whom she loved more than anyone, were the only ones in her way and while she would have never directly harmed them, her selfish wants and needs ultimately led to the demise of them all. She got what she wanted in the end, but at what price?
Even Jaime Lannister, Cersei’s most trusted companion and lover seems frightened by this. Queen Cersei doesn’t have to backroom wheel and deal to see to her deeds like she once did. She’s the Queen. She does as she pleases. Game of Thrones has softened on Cersei as of late (Jaime as well) but this new power will be sure to remind us of the utter wretch of a human Cersei Lannister is. And now she has no children? Game effing on, here’s our villain for the rest of the series.
In the aftermath of The Battle of Winterfell, Jon Snow doesn’t want the part of Lord of Winterfell. After all, he is a bastard** and there is still one Stark out there to lay claim to the city and the North in Sansa. Sansa, though, is more than happy to give over claim to the realm to Jon and so is House Mormont*** and the rest of the North. In a purposefully reminiscent scene of Robb Stark’s “coronation” the houses of the North rally and exclaim Jon Snow as The King in the North. A blessing and a curse to be sure.
**Nope!
***Gosh darn it, give this girl an Emmy already.
Though is Jon really meant for this role? We finally learn what all book and conspiracy enthusiasts have thought for years in that R+L really does = J. This means that Rhaegar Targaryen fathered Jon Snow with Lyanna Stark. Jon is both a Stark and a Targaryen. What’s more, Jon has a sort of claim as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne in that Raeghar was the eldest son of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen. Viserys, who we saw properly killed back in season one would have been the next eldest which leaves Daenerys as the sole claim remaining of Aerys’ children. If Jon is believed to be the only remaining child of Rhaegar****, he could threaten claim to the Iron Throne and fight against Dany, not with her.
****Are we going to get Aegon? If so, his story has already changed. It feels to me like they’re cutting him entirely.
In cutting the field of players, Game of Thrones immediately makes everything more personal. These people we’ve come to love and understand will have to come to blows with one another. I almost wish there wasn’t an army of Whitewalkers descending upon Westeros because the show is more interesting when there is gray area. The Wights present an evil (much like Sauron) that everyone can and should rally against. As much as I love an undead battle royale, the stakes are immediately removed as we will likely be denied some of the pain of forcing characters to fight one another because of their flawed and skewed beliefs. Hopefully, we’ll still get a good portion of that before all is said and done.
Three years later, we’re finally rewarded a bit of comeuppance for the earth-shattering Red Wedding. Proving that she has learned from her time at The House of Black and White and is now a force to be reckoned with, Arya Stark makes a great surprise appearance at Walder Frey’s dinner table. Serving him Sweeney Todd-esque meat pies filled with pieces of his sons, Arya gives us the pleasure of slitting Walder’s throat from ear to ear. The knowing looks Arya (in disguise) gave Jaime also has me wondering what she may have been plotting for him?
Across the Narrow Sea, we’re brought to the point we’ve all been waiting for: Daenerys Targaryen traverses the water with her army and her dragons in tow, hellbent on taking back the Seven Kingdoms in her name. She leaves her lover and truly beloved, Daario Naharis in an honestly painful scene where we can see our Queen choosing her goals over her heart. Daario was a great match for Dany, but he isn’t her destiny and, frankly, I’m good with where Daario ends up. We understand Dany’s pain, or lack thereof, and Daario’s but the show must go on and there’s just no room for lover boy.
Tyrion also wears a sigil of his new, yet familiar role as Hand to the Queen. The look on Peter Dinklage’s face says it all as this time the honor is taken with proper weight in mind.
Using the remaining ships of the Masters and the ones brought to her by the Greyjoys, Dany, Tyrion and Varys all head back to Westeros to lay claim to what they believe is theirs. Game of Thrones spent six seasons getting us to the point where we can see these people return and the moment was as perfect as it could have been. Dothraki out of their element on water, Unsullied manning ships, Dragons flying overhead. The only thing missing was Cersei’s “Oh shit”, moment when she sees the vanguard on the horizon.
In my review for last week’s episode, I was happy with the fact that good won out over the bad for once in this show’s history. I correlated the show’s fortitude and decision to grant hope with the awful state of our current world and events. I don’t believe that we should be spoon-fed happy moments or endings because we deserve it. That doesn’t always make compelling storytelling. Here, it was deserved, earned and happened to come at a time when we needed it most in regard to our real world situation. Whatever happens from here on out, we can take heart knowing that a woman who frees slaves and rides a dragon is sailing to save the world. We can rest assured that a good man with a good heart has the backing of the North of Westeros. We can be comforted learning that a cynical imp has learned to believe and will do anything for what he knows is good and decent.
I can’t ask for anything more.
“This is your God now.” – Cersei Lannister
Show Notes:
How gorgeous was Old Town and The Citadel? This show has really put all its money on the screen and I loved every second of Sam and Gilly at this “new” place.
The look on the face of The Citadel’s “receptionist”. Gold.
Jon and Sansa are by no means safe and Sansa has learned the endgame of Littlefinger. Since it’s Jon and not Sansa controlling the armies of the North, his health can’t be guaranteed as long as that stands in front of Sansa being his Queen when he hopes to eventually take the Iron Throne for his own.
Maester Pycelle finally gets his comeuppance. Thank the Seven.
Are the Tyrells and the Sand Snakes now on Team Dany? Varys (and his seeming teleportation ability) seems to get both sides to favor Daenerys for the coming war.
Just how great was Davos’ scene finally ripping into Melisandre for Shireen’s murder? All this pent up aggression finally let loose and we feel for all parties! I do think it’s a bit silly for Jon to let Melisandre go but Jon has shown to not be the best tactician in Westeros.
Shout out for the costume design in this show. My god, I want to wear everything.
Check out my reviews of previous episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’:
Tons Of Strong Men On The ‘Game Of Thrones‘ Finale But The Women Were Really The Show-Stealers.
Another ‘Game Of Thrones‘ season has wrapped; the sixth was surely memorable. From the return of Jon Snow to King’s Landing exploding, there was so much to talk about. But at the center of all that drama were some of the most bad-ass women. This is most noticeable in the season finale. Each story, while featuring male characters, was backed by or influenced by the actions of a female character.
“Let the grown women speak”
–Olenna Tyrell
We had two tales of revenge of this evening. First, Cersei Lannister gets her long-awaited revenge but at a grave cost. Blowing up The High Sparrow, she then captures the woman who tortured her. She’s lost her children but has power. As she sits upon the Iron Throne, her brother Jamie finally sees her for the evil queen she is.
Secondly, Arya Stark’s ‘Kill Bill’ style hit-list got one name shorter. After a hilariously disgusting scene where she sneakily feeds Frey his sons, she then slits his throat.
Lady Mormont delivered a speech that shifted the entire mood of the North’s celebration dinner. Jon Snow is finally accepted as king due to Mormont’s kind words. In true of ‘Game Of Thrones‘ style, the scene had one more impactful moment. Sansa Stark was rejoicing with Snow until she noticed Littlefinger sulking. Will her declining his advances lead to more drama down the line?
And finishing the episode, Daenerys & her dragons set sail to conquer the seven kingdoms. Earlier we saw the Sand Snakes team up of a grieving Olenna Tyrell. Varys appears out of nowhere with an offer. Does this mean the two houses joined Daenerys on that fleet of ships she has? This season focused heavily on Jon Snow and the North’s growing army but Daenerys Targaryen has built quite the squad.
What did you think of Episode 10, the season 6 finale, of ‘Game Of Thrones‘?
Did you enjoy all the strong female characters?
After six seasons, “Game Of Thrones” continues to deliver twists and turns. Now, the HBO series passes George R.R Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels. Ergo, certain plot elements are modified or otherwise changed in the adapting process. As the latest season concludes, “The Winds of Winter” ups the ante for the surviving Westeros characters.
At King’s Landing, Cersei (Lena Headey) and company get ready for trial. The mood is somber, which makes the tolling bells seem appropriate. In the courtroom, Loras Tyrell confesses to all his crimes. He vows to renounce his titles before receiving his punishment. Tommen tries to leave his room, but Sir Gregor stops him from doing so. Back at the Sept, Margerary informs the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) that something is wrong, because Cersei has not arrived. She orders everyone to leave as the crowd attempts to flee. An explosion triggered beneath the Sept kills everyone in attendance as Cersei sips wine. Distraught over Margaery’s death, Tommen removes his crown and jumps off the balcony, killing himself. Cersei views her son’s body and decides on cremation.
Jaime can’t get over how Walder’s so full of himself
At the Twins, Walder Frey (David Bradley) toasts his allies in a feast after taking back Riverrun. Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) isn’t in a partying mood. Walder says fear is a great weapon, but Jaime is disgusted with his incompetence and leaves. Later, while dining alone, Walder wonders where his sons are. A disguised Arya (Maise Williams) reveals she baked them in a pie. She reveals her true identity and cuts his throat, avenging Robb Stark’s death at the Red Wedding. Another name has been crossed off Arya’s kill list.
Get thee from Winterfell, thou Red Woman.
In Winterfell, Jon (Kit Harington) and Melisandre (Carice van Houten) discuss his childhood. Suddenly, Sir Davos (Liam Cunningham) arrives to confront Melisandre about Shireen’s death. Melisandre admits her responsibility but says it was the only way. Although Davos calls for Melisandre’s execution, Jon orders her to leave, threatening to hang her if she returns. As the Red Woman departs, Sansa (Sophie Turner) admits she should have told Jon about Littlefinger. Saddened, Jon explains they need to trust each other more.
In Mereen, Daenarys (Emilia Clarke) tells Daario Naharis that he will not join her in Westeros. She needs alliances with people she can trust, but she can’t take a lover. They part of amicable terms. Later, Dany talks with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) about their future plans. Tyrion tells her that she is now playing the Game of Thrones. Dany gives him a badge that names him “Hand of the Queen.” Later, they sail for Westeros with the dragons flying overhead.
Littlefinger (Aiden Gillen) meets with Sansa and says he wants to marry her. He has a vision of being on the Iron Throne with her by his side. However, Sansa refuses to consider the notion and leaves. Littlefinger says the North should unite under a legitimate Stark rather than a bastard.
Littlefinger’s got an idea, and it isn’t good.
Beyond the Wall, Benjen Stark leaves Bran (Isaac Hampstead-Wright) and Meera (Ellie Kendrick) in the forest. He explains the dead cannot pass through this region. Bran goes into the past and back to the Tower of Joy. Young Ned Stark enters the chamber to find his sister Lyanna covered in blood. She has given birth to an infant Jon and reveals the father is Rhaegar Targaryen. As she dies, Lyanna makes Ned promise to protect her son.
At Winterfell, the Northern families talk about what needs to be done. Many of them wish to head home and wait out the winter. However, Lyanna Mormomt (Bella Ramsey) calls them out and backs Jon’s bid for leadership. Slowly, the families come together and ask Jon for forgiveness in not supporting him earlier. With that, Jon is declared the King in the North. Meanwhile, Jaime arrives in King’s Landing to see Cersei become Queen and Protector of the Seven Kingdoms.
“Game of Thrones” succeeds in delivering another successful season. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B Weiss continue to surprise viewers with each episode. One can only imagine what Season Seven will bring.
June 28th, 1969 At Stonewall Changed LGBT History Forever
47 years since the riots that started the Gay Rights movement, President Barack Obama declares the Stonewall Inn. a national monument. Following the recent mass shooting tragedy at LGBT nightclub Pulse in Orlando, the gesture feels so kind. This is also one year after the Supreme Court made marriage equality legal.
To inform anyone who may have missed Roland Emmerich’s film about the subject, here’s what the riots entail. Around 3 a.m., New York gay club Stonewall Inn. was raided by police. Instead of the usual mayhem caused by the police, the patrons of the bar fought back. This led to bystanders joining in which started the riots against the New York police. Among the first to fight back was trans woman of color, Marsha P. Johnson. She is forever known as the queen who threw the first brick at Stonewall. The riots lasted for two nights. By the end of it, thousands of protesters stood up against the unfair treatment from the NYPD.
This landmark moment changed the LGBT community and shifted pop culture. A year after the original riots, gay pride parades began appearing all over the nation. That same year, ‘Midnight Cowboy’ starring Jon Voight as a gay hustler in New York won 3 Academy Awards. The effects of these riots at Stonewall were felt in film and TV. Not to mention society began embracing the LGBT community slowly.
Stonewall Inn. is the first US national landmark designated for a LGBT historic site.
Though I haven’t seen Independence Day: Resurgence yet, I’m guessing the humans win at the end of the day. Call it instincts or a blind guess, but the planet Earth lives on to see another day. That said, Roland Emmerich and his team probably won’t be celebrating too hard this weekend.
Their sci-fi sequel opened to a somewhat underwhelming $41.6 million in second place, which isn’t too terrible except when you take into account its $165 million budget. There’s a good chance they’ll make their money back — even if it’ll need to do it overseas, ironically, despite, you know, its American holiday title and all (I’ll get to that in a bit) — but 20th Century Fox might end up calling this one a bit of a disappointment. Resurgence earned less than the original film when it debuted —which came in at $50 million during its first weekend, not accounting for inflation or anything like that — in 1996, even though it opened in more than twice as many theaters (4,068 against 2,882) and was a good 20 minutes shorter than the first.
But it’s not all doom-and-gloom: Resurgence is currently sitting with a worldwide total of $143.6 million during its first weekend, which means it’s pretty close to its inflated budget, not accounting for marketing and all that jazz. We’ll see if it comes out on top in a couple weeks, but let’s not get the fireworks out just yet. The first film was one of the most profitable blockbusters of all-time. This sequel, released 19 years later, probably won’t share the same accomplishment, especially given the mixed reviews and muddled public opinion. Maybe they should have, you know, released the movie closer to the Fourth of July? I’m just one guy, but I’m just saying….
Photo: Pixar
Meanwhile, Finding Dory swam her way up to the number one spot again, collecting a very-impressive $73.2 million, which brings its global box office total to $397 million. It just barely bets 2004’s Shrek 2 ($72.2 million) for the best second weekend an animated movie has ever received. It’s not only one of the year’s best performing movies thus far; it’s one of the most successful animated films of all-time, and it should remain that way as it continues netting up the dough.
The Pixar sequel is certainly collecting up the cash now, but it remains to be seen just how well it’ll hold up when Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets waddles its way into theaters. The original animated film opened well in Britain over the weekend and, let’s be honest, the guys behind the Minions know how to market and sell a movie. They should have another profitable film on their hands when it comes out within the next two weeks on July 8. But we’ll get to that when that day comes.
Also released this weekend were The Shallows, a.k.a. Blake Lively vs. Shark, the Matthew McConaughey-led Civil War epic Free State of Jones (read my review here, please) and Nicolas Winding Refn’s divisive The Neon Demon. The Shallows and Free State of Jones opened in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with The Shallows earning a slightly-better-than-expected $16.7 million carried by strong reviews, good marketing and solid word-of-mouth.
Free State of Jones, meanwhile, opened to a meager $7.8 million — which is McConaughey’s worst performing movie in years, particularly post-McConanissance. Gary Ross’ latest just barely performed better than The Conjuring 2, which is in its third weekend. It didn’t help that the film is a mess and that kids these days, generally, don’t go to the movies to see a Civil War movie unless Marvel characters are involved. But with a budget of $50 million, this one looks like a surefire flop. Or, should I say, it’s not looking quite alright, alright, alright…..
But hey, at least it did better The Neon Demon, which didn’t even make it on the top 10 with a spot at number 15. Opening in 783 theaters, the twisted, controversial Elle Fanning-led feature came in with $606,594, with an average of $783 per theater. Ouch. It was a bold choice to open this movie in the summer, and distributors Broad Green and Amazon Studios are possibly regretting releasing it during the hotter months of the year. Nevertheless, I’m hoping to see the movie soon, so I hope to put a little change in their pockets. I always try applauding unconventional, atypical films, and that certainly looks like the case with this one.
To wrap things up, A24’s excellent Swiss Army Man received the best location average of the summer so far with $114,000 in three locations in New York and LA, Central Intelligence is holding strong in the third spot with an additional $18.4 million and Warcraft is about $50 million away from breaking even worldwide with $412.2 million in its coin purse. So, maybe it won’t be a huge disaster for them after all? You know, money-wise, at least. Check out the rest of the box office results below, courtesy of THR and Box Office Mojo.
Finding Dory Weekend: $73.2 million Domestic Total: $286.5 million
Independence Day: Resurgence Weekend: $41.6 million Domestic Total: $41.6 million
Central Intelligence Weekend: $18.4 million Domestic Total: $69.3 million
The Shallows Weekend: $16.7 million Domestic Total: $16.7 million
Free State of Jones Weekend: $7.8 million Domestic Total: $7.8 million
The Conjuring 2 Weekend: $7.7 million Domestic Total: $86.9 million
Now You See Me 2 Weekend: $5.6 million Domestic Total: $52 million
X-Men: Apocalypse Weekend: $2.5 million Domestic Total: $151.1 million
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Weekend: $2.4 million Domestic Total: $77.1 million
Alice Through the Looking Glass Weekend: $2.1 million Domestic Total: $74.6 million
Something’s coming…. could be something great with Spielberg directing
As he prepares to release “The Big Friendly Giant”, Steven Spielberg is looking ahead at several projects. He’s even looking at entering the musical genre.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spielberg wants to helm a remake of “West Side Story.” This comes after a previous attempt to buy the film rights back in 2001. Furthermore, Spielberg plans to make “West Side Story” as a co-production with 20th Century Fox and MGM.
During a 2014 appearance on Good Morning America, Spielberg mentions the idea of doing a remake. “‘West Side Story’ is one of my favourite Broadway musicals and one of the greatest pieces of musical literature,” he says. “One of the greatest scores and some of the greatest lyrics ever written for a musical, so just let me put it this way: it’s on my mind.”
Could we see Steven Spielberg tackle the musical genre?
“Angels in America” playwright-screenwriter Tony Kushner is reuniting with Spielberg on “West Side Story.” “The Hollywood Reporter” notes he is currently working on a draft of the script. This marks their third collaboration after 2005’s “Munich” and 2012’s “Lincoln”.
“West Side Story” is a 1957 Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. It was adapted as a feature film by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. “West Side Story” became the second highest-grossing film of 1961. The cast includes Richard Beymer, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, George Charikis and Russ Tamblyn. It has the record of ten Academy Awards for a musical film. These include Best Picture, Best Director Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
David Ayer Tweets That “There Is Nothing Out There” Like ‘Suicide Squad’
We are fast approaching the release of David Ayer’s DC showcase ‘Suicide Squad‘. The film featuring an eclectic group of dangerous villains has now finalized production. That August 5th release date can’t get here soon enough.
Squad is completed! Finished final mix and coloring. Now it’s off to the lab and then the world. Nothing like it out there. It.Is.a.Beast.
The director recently confirmed the appearance of organization A.R.G.U.S. in the film. Will they play a larger part in the DC Extended Universe later on?
Viewers have also been to treated to character posters featuring the film’s stars.
Which character are most excited to see in ‘Suicide Squad‘?
HBO’s The Night Of has a novel approach. It’s not adapted from an actual book, but this first episode, “The Beach,” plays as if we’re unfolding a big novel page-by-page, flipping our way through the first of eight lengthy chapters. The premium cable station’s latest high-profile mini-series borrows heavily from the likes of True Detective and The Jinx, but it often takes a more perceptive, dilated, observant and attentive route. The New York City-based crime drama, which might read as an overstretched Law & Order episode to some at first, slowly-but-surely becomes more unrelenting and quietly captivating over the course of this exceptional pilot. The intricate details are laid. The characters are all put into their proper place, and the music invites an unsettling, creepy feeling throughout. It’s evident this moody, contemplative limited crime drama, created by screenwriters Steve Zaillian (Moneyball) and Richard Price (Clockers), will surely become something more arresting as it continues onward.
Based on the British mini-series Criminal Justice, The Night Of is not entirely unfamiliar, but never less than well-made, character study centered on Nasir Khan (Nightcrawler‘s Riz Ahmed), a Pakistan-American college student living with his parents in Queens. He’s bright, intuitive but deeply insecure, and he wants to reach out to the world. And Nasir gets that chance when he’s welcomed to a college basketball party in town, thanks to a player he’s tutoring on the team. There’s a problem, though: when his buddy flakes on him, he has no way to get there. But he’s not entirely out-of-options, as Nasir decides to steal his dad’s cab on the spur of the moment and drive his way to get-together in Manhattan. What could go wrong?
Many, many things, it would seem — all relating to Andrea (Sofia Black-D’Elisa), an attractive young woman with a troubled past determined to go far, far, far away from the central city. Mistaking Nasir’s ride for an operating taxi, on account that he didn’t turn his light off, she hitches a ride with the shy young man and soon becomes his acquaintance. They go to the beach, they look out onto the city, they take some drugs, they go to her Upper West Side apartment, they drink a little more, they spill a little blood on the carpet, they have some potentially unprotected sex and then, several hours later, Nasir wakes up to discover Andrea’s bloody body, with no recollection of killing her. Just an average Wednesday night, if you ask me.
It’s not long before Nasir winds up in the station, begging and pleading his innocence, but nobody believes him. And they have no right to believe him, since he looks unquestionably guilty based on all the evidence. But there’s one man who believes in him: Jack Stone (John Turturro), a lawyer taken by Nasir’s case. Or, perhaps, maybe Jack doesn’t believe in Nasir’s innocence. It’s hard to say, especially after this episode. There are some proper questions placed, and there are some expected notes hit, but The Night Of is hardly procedural in its execution. This is a patient, fragile piece of work, something that loves to explore every minuscule detail, mundane oddities and budding American Islamophobia for what it’s worth. It might be a little too slow for its own good, but it’s hardly ever boring. It’s only more fascinating as it goes along, and while it might not become an audience favorite, it’ll certainly win itself a smart audience regardless.
“The Beach,” written by Price and directed by Zaillian, loves to delve into the normality of violence in a post-9/11 world. The episode is as sharply written and impeccably directed as anything I’ve seen this year, on the big or small screen. It doesn’t always reveal a lot, but it knows how to drag the bone around, keeping you wagging your tail back-and-forth, back-and-forth. Even when it gets highly dramatized, or the narrative might seem a little too convenient, it never, ever loses its sense of reality. Everything often feels authentic, honest and very humble. And while this pilot is, indeed, very good, you always think about where it could be changed.
Turturro, though advertised as the lead, doesn’t show up until 67 minutes into this 78-minute premiere, but the respected veteran character actor provides a much-needed source of warmth and humility, which keeps the show from falling into an never-ending pit of sulk and gloom. That said, it’s hard to watch the performance and think of James Gandolfini, who was tapped to play the part, and filmed a version of the pilot, before he passed untimely. You’re constantly reminded, then, of what he could have been and what The Sopranos actors could have brought to the role, especially as Turturro copies a number of his usual mannerisms and quirks. It’s similar to the situation Steve Coogan faced when he filled in the late shoes of Philip Seymour Hoffman in Showtime’s ill-fated Happyish: he does a respectable job, but you can’t forget what could have been. It’s a lose-lose situation sometimes, even when they still win.
Granted, Turturro makes Jack Stone enough his own for it not to sink the entire performance, but the loom presence of the late Gandolfini — whose given a posthumous executive producer credit — is unshakeable. Ahmed, however, makes the role entirely his own, providing a fidgety anxiety and restless inner life that genuinely makes you sympathize with his predicament, even if we don’t exactly know if he’s guilty or innocent (though, like the cops note, the evidence is seriously stacked against him). It’s a strongly rooted performance, and one that shows the young actor as someone with a serious amount of potential, much like show surrounding him.
There are no villains and heroes here. There are only people doing their job and people caught in the eye of the storm. It’s unflinching, incredibly well-made and deeply rooted in reality. Even if it isn’t breaking new ground or shaking up the genre, The Night Of nevertheless promises to become a haunting, powerfully subdued piece. It might stick to the books (even if it’s, again, not based on any books), but it doesn’t need to change procedure. It knows what it’s doing, and we’re hooked in the case. Hopefully this dark knight is going to remain a shinny light for the ever-plunging HBO. They could really use a hit these days.
Back in March, we bought you news of WWE’s newest endeavor, a tournament involving the best cruiserweights in the world, and that endeavor has become a reality. Starting on July 13, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic will begin, exclusively on the WWE Network
This tournament represents a number of touchstones. It is the first ‘open’ tournament to be held by the WWE. The WWE typically does not acknowledge other promotions, even when stars of another promotion come into the WWE. That tone has changed recently with the talent influx of performers like Finn Balor (Prince Devitt), Samoa Joe, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Out of the 32 competitors in the tournament, only 4 have associated with the WWE, the rest are out of the independent scene or work with promotions in their home country.
32 professional wrestlers representing 16 different countries will perform at Full Sail University, showcasing their talents to an audience that may not have seen performers of this caliber. In our March column, when this tournament was coming together, we discussed two of the competitors. Akira Tozawa and early favorite Zack Sabre Jr. were some of the first competitors announced. The full field of 32 was introduced this past Friday and if you are a wrestling fan, you’re excited for this.
This tournament represents a number of styles. Lucha Libre, strong style, catch wrestling, striking. Every one of these performers brings a different aspect of pro wrestling and there is a competitor for every fan here.
There are some names you may be familiar with. WWE veterans Brian Kendrick and Yoshihiro Tajiri are involved. Rich Swann has had a couple of matches on NXT. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano have recently joined NXT, and Gargano is one of the favorites in this tournament. Here are some competitors you may not be all that familiar with, but may want to keep an eye out for.
Ho Ho Lun
Lun will compete in the CWC
Home: China (Hong Kong)
Style: Traditional, favors grappling and suplexes
Ho Ho Lun is a star in his native Hong Kong. Influenced by the WWE from a young age to become a wrestler, he has performed throughout Asia and Europe. He also founded the Hong Kong Pro Wrestling Federation, the first promotion in Hong Kong.
Lince Dorado
Lince Dorado in flight photo: Chikara Pro
Home: Puerto Rico
Style: Lucha Libre
Dorado has performed all over the world. Japan, Europe, and all across Mexico. One of a few luchadors in the CWC, Dorado is looking to impress the crowd with his high flying style
Kota Ibushi
Ibushi is an early favorite in the CWC photo: NJPW
Home: Japan
Style: Striker
Known as the ‘Hard Hit Prince’, Kota Ibushi is an outright superstar. He has won the New Japan Cup and Best Of Super Juniors Tournaments. He’s gone toe to toe with Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura. Expect to see him face Zack Sabre Jr. in either the final, or in the WWE later down the road.
WWE’s Crusierweight Classic is currently taping the opening rounds at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. A ‘bracketology’ special will air on July 6, with the opening rounds of the tournament set to begin airing on July 13, exclusively on the WWE Network.
Also released this weekend were 
But hey, at least it did better The Neon Demon, which didn’t even make it on the top 10 with a spot at number 15. Opening in 783 theaters, the twisted, controversial Elle Fanning-led feature came in with $606,594, with an average of $783 per theater. Ouch. It was a bold choice to open this movie in the summer, and distributors Broad Green and Amazon Studios are possibly regretting releasing it during the hotter months of the year. Nevertheless, I’m hoping to see the movie soon, so I hope to put a little change in their pockets. I always try applauding unconventional, atypical films, and that certainly looks like the case with this one.
