Netflix announces new and returning series and films for kids this spring including Blippi’s Job Show and Plankton: The Movie. Full list and details here.
Spring is in the air with new and returning series and films for kids. From world domination saving the world with Plankton: The Movie (March 7) to exploring unique, fun jobs with Blippi and Meekah in the all-new Blippi’s Job Show(April 7), there is something for kids to enjoy this season on Netflix.
Netflix Family New & Returning Series & Films
Now Available On Netflix
Despicable Me 4
With the arrival of a new baby, Gru’s life is great — until an old rival comes back for revenge and forces Gru to uproot his family and Minions!
Dog Days Out (Series)
When their humans are away, a cute and curious pup and his dog pals love to play with their best friends — their favorite toys!
Gabby’s Dollhouse Season 11
Cute cats, quirky crafts and colorful magic! Join kitty enthusiast Gabby and her sidekick Pandy Paws as they team up for a series of animated adventures.
Coming Soon To Netflix
March 3 – Hot Wheels Let’s Race Season 3: Six young hopefuls at the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage Racing Camp learn the skills they need to become the next generation of amazing racers.
March 6 – Barbie & Teresa: Recipe for Friendship: Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts, Barbie “Malibu” Roberts and best friends Teresa and Nikki head to the Big Apple for spring break to help with the launch of Teresa’s cousin’s new restaurant, learning about her Mexican heritage and exploring delicious family recipes.
March 7 – Plankton: The Movie: Plankton’s tangled love story with his sentient computer wife goes sideways when she takes a stand — and decides to destroy the world without him. Featuring music by DEVO’s Mark Mothersbaugh and Bob Mothersbaugh.
March 17 – CoComelon Lane Season 4: Join your favorite CoComelon characters on imaginative adventures as they explore feelings — and the world around them — in this story-driven series.
March 20 – Wolf King (New Series): A young commoner comes of age and learns he’s the last of a long line of Werewolves — and heir to the throne — in this epic fantasy adventure series.
April 3 – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 3: The Camp Cretaceous gang comes together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.
April 9 – Unicorn Academy: Chapter 3: When a dark force threatens to destroy Unicorn Island, a brave teen and her five schoolmates must rise up to protect their beloved magical academy.
April 25 – Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 —The Search for Laqua Part 2: Young Pokémon trainers Liko, Roy and Dot head to the Paldea region to master the power of Terastallization and uncover the mystery behind Terapagos.
April 30 – Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight: When the village druid forgets how to prepare their magic potion, Asterix, Obelix and the Gauls must find new ways to keep the Roman conquerors at bay.
Even more is blooming at NetflixFamily.com, the Netflix Family hub where parents and caregivers can find printable activities, DIYs, recipes, and more for kids of all ages and stages including how to sign up to receive the FREE Netflix Family magazine.
Riff Raff Director Dito Montiel details how the ending was almost completely different – and why he opted to keep it the way it was.
During this exclusive interview with Riff Raff director Dito Montiel, he reveals that the ending of the film was almost completely different as well as raves about the incredible all-star cast.
Montiel admits that working with actors like Bill Murray, Jennifer Coolidge, and Pete Davidson was intimidating.
Warning, there are massive spoilers for Riff Raff, which is in theaters now, ahead.
The Riff Raff Ending Was Almost Completely Different
Tessa Smith: Was the ending of Riff Raff always going to have Ed Harris’ character survive?
Dito Montiel: Oh, I thought about getting rid of it, because I thought when we have the other scene with holding the gun, I thought, oh, that’s a great ending. I was worried about the last scene. It’s so weird. Is it like a Twilight Zone? But then, if you could do a slow push in on Ed Harris at the end of your movie, we should all be so worried about that. So I’ll take the chance with that any day.
The All-Star Cast Is A Dream Come True For Dito Montiel
Tessa Smith: Can you talk about working with this incredible cast, and bringing them into Riff Raff?
Dito Montiel: You don’t usually get your first hope for each role. It’s not like that 99 out of 100 million times. This was that situation in the best of ways. I don’t really have the words other than it’s exciting and every bit of it was a really fun trip to be a part of.
Of course, I’m remarkably excited to work with guys like Bill Murray and Pete Davidson and Ed Harris. Jennifer Coolidge, Gabrielle Union, pretty fun stuff. But then people I didn’t know, like Miles Harvey, who plays DJ, when I first read that role, I said, okay, this is a disaster or it’s really good or it’s Urkel. I don’t know who’s going to pull this off because I had to Google half the things he’s saying. And Miles Harvey walks in one day to an open call and I’m like, oh, my God, DJ just walked in, you know? So I’m just as excited to meet Miles Harvey as the other guys, but without having known him.
Dito Montiel Was Intimidated By His Cast At First
Tessa Smith: Is there one scene that you feel was the most challenging to nail down?
Dito Montiel: Well, it’s nuts to put that many personalities into one room. This whole thing originally took place in a room because it was a play. We brought it out of the room with dreams and all kinds of weirdness. But to be in a room with all of them, it was pretty tricky. Not tricky, but intimidating, I guess, because everywhere you look, you’re like, oh, my gosh. Like, OK, I have got to get over this. I’m that guy that if I meet up with Al Pachino, I kind of feel like I have to tell him he’s Al Pachino, like he doesn’t know this. I’m still a fan. So I was feeling that.
But at the same time, it was tricky in the best of ways, because no one showed up here to get paid. These are great actors, as well as celebrities, and you, myself included, tend to forget that they’re also great actors and they want to do something that they feel proud of or something. Clearly, they’ve got enough to be proud of. They don’t need my little movie. But that was intimidating in the sense that you’re like, oh, wow. Being in the room with all of them together was probably the most fun and intimidating at the same time,
DJ Is The Heart & Soul Of The Film
Tessa Smith: I feel like DJ is the heart and soul of this film. Did you feel that way?
Dito Montiel: He’s the only guy asking questions that doesn’t know the answers to them in this movie. I was so concerned. When I first read it, it was originally a play written by John Plano. And I remember thinking this feels like Virginia Woolf but everybody’s Virginia Woolf. And I kept thinking, it’s about DJ for me.
And then Ruth. Who are these two people? They seemed really complicated and it’s really tough to find people that can pull those roles off. I couldn’t have asked for two better. How corny for a director to say that?
Dito Montiel Added A Scene Last Minute That Helps Shape Riff Raff
Tessa Smith: With these comedic geniuses, was there any imporvising or last minute adjustments?
Dito Montiel: I read it as if I’m in the family and mess with the script as if I’m a part of it. I trust that when you have these actors and the situations are pretty odd, hopefully, it’ll be funny. I don’t think about that stuff as much as maybe I should. I could make more money making a big, giant comedy, but I just think of the reality of the situation as much as this is heightened and insane.
But when I first was thinking about Ruth, something that wasn’t in the script was I had this weird thought, I’m thinking of my sister, Didi, because if you could mix Ruth and Fran Lebowitz together, you’d have my sister Didi. But I thought about this scene. And I thought, okay, this is going to be good, at least for me to understand the film. I wanted Ruth to go into Sandy’s room, at some point, Gabrielle Union’s character, and look at all the things she can’t have. Because I thought that that would help, if nothing else, even if it’s an outtake that never exists, for me, maybe the actor, to understand that it’s more than just that.
So we ended up using it in the movie, which is great because we had 15 minutes before lunch one day and we said, Hey, let’s see Jennifer Coolidge go have a look at her fancy makeup. And I love that scene for that, because, again, I just liked the idea of it, whether it made it or not. And it made it, so that’s nice.
Check out the full Riff Raff interview to learn more – including hilarious bloopers that occurred on set.
Vincent is an ex-criminal who more than anything, just wants a normal, peaceful life. He and his wife Sandy have built a loving family with their son DJ and are spending the winter break in a cabin before he goes off to college.
Chaos ensues when Vincent’s disowned son Rocco, his girlfriend Marina and Vincent’s ex-wife Ruth abruptly show up to spoil the festivities with an ominous warning: the famed gangsters Leftie and Lonnie are coming for them.
My Dead Friend Zoe star Sonequa Martin-Green thinks it is quite important that the ending of the film takes you by surprise.
Sonequa Martin-Green was pitched My Dead Friend Zoe as a movie that will save lives, and I have to one-hundred-percent agree with that. It perfectly combines humor and heart while also delivering important messages and shining a light on the struggles of mental health and PTSD.
We spoke with Martin-Green about this film, in particular the shocking ending. She also reveals if she has met Executive Producer Travis Kelce yet. Warning: Spoilers Ahead for My Dead Friend Zoe.
My Dead Friend Zoe Ending Explained By Sonequa Martin-Green
“I think it’s actually quite important that it takes you by surprise.”
Tessa Smith: What was your reaction when you first read the ending and what happends to Zoe?
Sonequa Martin-Green: Well, I knew what happened before I even read the script. I knew what the story was because this was Kyle [Hausmann-Stokes]’ life. But I did think that it was handled so cleverly, but also gently with the way it is revealed in the film. I thought that was quite brilliant. I’ve got to big up Ali Greer, our editor for that as well. Because I think it’s actually quite important that it takes you by surprise. I think when that happens, I think it busts you open to then receive the climactic moment right after it, without spoiling anything.
Hopefully My Dead Friend Zoe Will Save Lives
“This film is really hopefully a source of encouragement to veterans and non-veterans alike to open up and talk about it.”
Tessa Smith: Hopefully after watching My Dead Friend Zoe people will feel more open to talking about their struggles, and reaching out to friends who are struggling. Can you talk about the importance of showcasing that in this form?
Sonequa Martin-Green: This is a veteran story, so it’s specific to veterans, but it is also universal. Many people see themselves, whether you served or not, right? But as it relates to veterans, what they go through is, a lot of times, it’s not very human. They come home and they’ve got all of this pain.They’ve got all of these confusing emotions and issues that they’re dealing with and they do need to talk about it, but a lot of times they don’t. This film is really hopefully a source of encouragement to veterans and non-veterans alike to open up and talk about it, because that’s how you begin your journey of healing, is by finally opening up. And like you said too, it’s also about listening because hopefully we’ll encourage people to listen better to our veterans and listen better to those that we know that are hurting.
She Hasn’t Met Executive Producer Travis Kelce…Yet
“We’re super grateful for him and hopefully we will be able to cross paths with him soon.”
Tessa Smith: I am a big Swiftie so I cannot let you go without asking if you got to meet Travis Kelce.
Sonequa Martin-Green: You know what? We did not meet him yet, but he’s been recently talking a lot about the film, which is really amazing. It’s been so encouraging to hear his take on it and hear him share his thoughts on it. Of course we wouldn’t have been able to it [without Travis Kelce]. Every dollar counted. This was the little indie film that could, right? So we’re super grateful for him and hopefully we will be able to cross paths with him soon.
Be sure to watch our full interview with Sonequa Martin-Green to learn more about her connection with Natalie Morales and what she hopes My Dead Friend Zoe means to others.
MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE is a dark comedy drama that follows the journey of Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran who is at odds with her family thanks to the presence of Zoe (Natalie Morales), her dead best friend from the Army. Despite the persistence of her VA group counselor (Morgan Freeman), the tough love of her mother (Gloria Reuben) and the levity of an unexpected love interest, Merit’s cozy-dysfunctional friendship with Zoe keeps the duo insulated from the world.
That is until Merit’s estranged grandfather (Ed Harris) — holed up at the family’s ancestral lake house — begins to lose his way and needs the one thing he refuses… help. At its core, this is a buddy film about a complicated friendship, a divided family, and the complex ways in which we process grief.
My Dead Friend Zoe often delivers on the laughs, but it is not just a comedy, it is a heartwrenching story about PTSD and getting older.
For some reason discussing mental health is taboo. Things might be getting better but a lot of folks still sweep it under the rug. They would rather suffer in silence than reveal that they are struggling. My Dead Friend Zoe shines a light on PTSD, as well as Alzheimer’s Disease, in a relatable and intriguing way.
This movie follows Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green) after she gets out of the Army. It is apparent that she has lost a friend, Zoe (Natalie Morales) but still sees and hears her. This leads to a lot of jokes, with Morales constantly saving us as we near tears with her comedic relief.
Martin-Green and Morales are a joy to watch together, even when they have arguments, because their chemistry is so raw and real. Funny enough, this is not the first time Morales has played a dead friend, so perhaps she brought a lot of her experience from I’m Totally Fine over to My Dead Friend Zoe.
While this story focuses heavily on the two of them and the mental health struggles that can come after the military – or because of anything in life – there is more to the story. Ed Harris plays Merit’s grandfather Dale. He is suffering from early Alzheimer’s Disease, something that can completely devastate families. Dale is also an Army veteran, which has created a strong bond between him and Merit, even though they seem to have drifted apart after his wife died.
Morgan Freeman plays a VA group counselor who tries his best to get Merit to open up, and Utkarsh Ambudkar portrays a love interest for her. While I do agree that both are important to the story, I wish they had more to do – Ambudkar in particular. It feels as if this relationship only grazes the surface, and I would have liked to have seen it explored deeper.
Martin-Green is exceptional as Merit, as is Morales as Zoe. I would love to see them in more things together because there seems to be a natural chemistry there. While there is a lot of humor in the movie, there are also quite a few scenes that are difficult to watch. This movie brilliantly pulls at your heartstrings, and serves up some truly heartwrenching moments that will hopefully have a lasting impact on viewers.
My Dead Friend Zoe shines a light on important topics, in particular mental health. If this film inspires even one person to reach out to their friends who might be struggling or do the reaching out if they are the one struggling, then it will have brought some good into a world that needs it.
My Dead Friend Zoe heads to theaters on February 28.
MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE is a dark comedy drama that follows the journey of Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran who is at odds with her family thanks to the presence of Zoe (Natalie Morales), her dead best friend from the Army. Despite the persistence of her VA group counselor (Morgan Freeman), the tough love of her mother (Gloria Reuben) and the levity of an unexpected love interest, Merit’s cozy-dysfunctional friendship with Zoe keeps the duo insulated from the world.
That is until Merit’s estranged grandfather (Ed Harris) — holed up at the family’s ancestral lake house — begins to lose his way and needs the one thing he refuses… help. At its core, this is a buddy film about a complicated friendship, a divided family, and the complex ways in which we process grief.
Riff Raff has an all-star cast including Ed Harris, Jennifer Coolidge, and Pete Davidson, all of whom bring their A-game and lift this film to the next level.
Every family has its drama, but not many have drama like this. Riff Raff tells the story of a former criminal whose past catches up to him. Complete with some unexpected twists and turns, a loving family’s winter vacation is turned upside down when a couple of gangsters invade their home.
Vincent (Ed Harris) and his wife Sandy (Gabrielle Union) have opted to spend the winter break at their vacation home before their son DJ (Miles J. Harvey) heads off to college. Vincent’s disowned son Rocco (Lewis Pullman), ex-wife Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge), and Rocco’s pregnant girlfriend Marina (Emanuela Postacchini) crash the party under the guise that they want to spend time together before Marina has her baby. It doesn’t take long to realize this is not the whole truth – but what we aren’t told at first will likely surprise you.
What starts off as a fun family dramedy quickly takes a turn into unexpected territory when Lefty (Bill Murray) and Lonnie (Pete Davidson) come into the picture, switching genres into more of a crime thriller. Thanks to the stellar collection of cast members, this works perfectly.
It is clear that director Dito Montiel and the rest of the filmmakers knew exactly what type of movie they were making, casting the perfect actor for each and every role. One would almost think that the film was written for them. They bring their A-games, giving the audience exactly waht they want to see.
Viewers will never guess where things are going, and once the full truth is revealed, the story only gets more exciting. Because we have the time to get to know a lot of the characters in the first half of Riff Raff, the stakes feel high when they are put in danger.
The cast works together brilliantly, giving their all to the film. Davidson excels in bringing the comedy and delivering the right tone at the exact right time, which is sure to come as no surprise to anyone.
Coolidge also hits every comedic beat, shining in this role that seems to have been made just for her. Harris, Pullman, Murray, and Union are obviously great as well, but it is Harvey who steps into the spotlight bringing the majority of the heart and emotion to the story.
While there is some predictability weaved in, the story does a great job of keeping viewers guessing when it needs to. Riff Raff offers a fun take on family drama and thriller, although there are times that it feels like we have seen this film before. It is the all-star ensemble cast that helps it to rise above expectations.
Overall, Riff Raff is entertaining. The humor hits when it needs to and there is just enough action and suspense weaved in to keep things interesting.
Riff Raff comes to select theaters on February 28.
Vincent is an ex-criminal who more than anything, just wants a normal, peaceful life. He and his wife Sandy have built a loving family with their son DJ and are spending the winter break in a cabin before he goes off to college.
Chaos ensues when Vincent’s disowned son Rocco, his girlfriend Marina and Vincent’s ex-wife Ruth abruptly show up to spoil the festivities with an ominous warning: the famed gangsters Leftie and Lonnie are coming for them.
The Gorge could have been a completely predictable Sci-Fi thriller, and at times it is, but the romance throughline makes it unique.
Scott Derrickson. Anya Taylor-Joy. Miles Teller. Sci-Fi Thriller. Say these words to me and I am already all the way in. Throw in a romance storyline that keeps things unique and entertaining throughout? Well now you are speaking my language. Apple TV+’s The Gorge has all of this and it does not disappoint.
Derrickson is well known for having a great eye when it comes to filming, so it should come as no surprise that The Gorge is gorgeous to watch (see what I did there). It is very visually pleasing with several shots that could easily be made into posters.
But a movie needs to have more than great cinematography to be worth watching. Thankfully this one brings a lot to the table.
It doesn’t take long for it to be clear that The Gorge is a Sci-Fi thriller. Teller and Taylor-Joy are brought on, as highly trained operatives, to guard a large gorge. They are told there is a mysterious evil inside and they need to protect the world by stopping it from escaping.
The two are living in guard towers on either side of the gorge and told not to communicate with one another. Of course, it doesn’t take long before they do, causing a romance to blossom.
This romance works as a perfect throughline to keep things interesting and unique – and it certainly helps that the chemistry between Teller and Taylor-Joy is off the charts. They work extremely well together while creating a believability in their relationship. The sparks all but leap off the screen as it becomes impossible not to root for them.
Once the enter the gorge – something we all knew was just a matter of when as soon as they got to their towers – the Sci-Fi thriller side of this film emerges. There is a lot of predictability here, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining to watch. At this point viewers are so invested in these two lovebirds that it adds stakes to the danger they are facing.
The Gorge blends romance, horror, Science-Fiction, thriller, and action to create something that is somewhat unique. Sure, there are some elements that those watching will feel that they have seen before, but they come together in a way that is entertaining and exciting. It is not a perfect movie, but it isn’t a bad movie.
Teller and Taylor-Joy deliver great performances when both together and apart. The movie is fun, with just enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat and more than enough romance to make you smile.
The Gorge is entertaining, beautiful to look at, and blends several genres making sure that there is something for everyone. There are a few loose ends left untied and a couple of plot points I would have liked to see tightened up, but overall, its a good popcorn movie.
Two highly-trained operatives (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy) are appointed to posts in guard towers on opposite sides of a vast and highly classified gorge, protecting the world from an undisclosed, mysterious evil that lurks within. They bond from a distance while trying to stay vigilant in defending against an unseen enemy.
When the cataclysmic threat to humanity is revealed to them, they must work together in a test of both their physical and mental strength to keep the secret in the gorge before it’s too late.
The long-awaited follow up to the Daredevil Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again, is finally about to release on Disney+. In support of the upcoming season one, Marvel hosted a virtual global press conference where the cast and creatives revealed a lot about the show.
Charlie Cox, who plays Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Vincent D’Onofrio, who plays Wilson Fisk/Kingpin were in attendance along with executive producer/showrunner Dario Scardapane, executive producers/directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, and executive producers Brad Winderbaum and Sana Amanat.
They discuss what they knew they needed to bring over from the Netflix series to make this show work, bringing back Karen (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy (Elden Henson), and the comic book inspirations that were used (and even a few reading suggestions).
Here are the ten most interesting things that we learned about Daredevil: Born Again at the press conference.
Justin Benson explains why it was important to bring back Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, something that was not originally part of the idea:
“It was important to us to start out the show with feeling how these characters have evolved since we last saw them, and it feeling like a big, warm hug. Because when the big thing happens, it contrasts that big, warm hug. You feel the tragedy even more, and you feel that event as something that would shake the faith of Matt Murdock/Daredevil in such a way that he would question everything about his place in the universe, and that grief would ripple out all season-long. By doing that, we would amp that up. And on top of that, there’s the obvious thing of like, we love those characters and we love those actors, and just can’t imagine the show without them.”
The Whole Team Behind Daredevil: Born Again Is Excited About It
Sana Amanat discusses how everyone in the cast and crew were excited to bring Daredevil: Born Again to life.
“I have to say, being on set, I think there was a couple of times, but when we came back and it was the combination of Justin, Aaron, and Dario, the feeling on set, the crew would come up to me and say, it feels so special and cool and unique. The energy was really palpable. So it was really, really awesome.“
Aaron Moorhead adds:
“There are these two moments I think everybody will remember, where we were on a rooftop, and it was a highly visual scene, but also an emotional one. It was one of those shots where every department had to bring their A-game, lighting, visual effects, special effects. Everybody had to really hit it. And everybody kept on nailing it, take after take after take. And you just felt like everyone was stretching. And then same exact thing. It actually intercuts with this scene. It’s at the end of episode one, when we were on the streets of New York with Charlie, and it’s just getting that shot exactly right. Stunts was just on fire, and everybody was just having such a good time. I feel like that was when, when we were like, okay.”
The creatives explain how they took inspiration from the Daredevil comic books.
Sana Amanet: It’s super fun also to see ways in which we can match the comic images. This is like, a big one for us. We’re just having little references, like the first shot, actually, of Daredevil with the back drop was the reference to Born Again the cover.
Justin Benson: We’ve been talking a lot about how it’s not literally all the story points of Born Again, but we literally have taken key frames. I mean, so inspired by those panels and something Aaron and I left out every time we did that was that was entirely, completely your idea.
Aaron Moorhead: Yeah, Sana was just like the Fisk lighting. Watch how Frank Miller lights him.
Brad Winderbaum: It’s doesn’t matter who came up with it, Frank Miller came up with it. It’s from the Born Again comic. It was a moment that he described in a documentary, I think it’s on YouTube, about transitioning Kingpin from a Spider-Man character to a Daredevil character. Actually, you can see him do it on the page itself. There’s three panels. One panel a looks like Spider-Man Kingpin, and then the light shifts between the panels, and by the last panel, you get that stark Frank Miller chiaroscuro lighting.
Sana Amanat gives her reading material suggestions to prepare viewers for this series.
“Oh, my God, it’s kind of a smattering. I will say to Charles Soule’s Mayor Fisk run is a good start. Always Frank Miller, of course, Brian Bendis and Ed Brubaker, any of their runs, frankly. They have been a heavy, heavy influence on us, just in terms of tone and style. And of course, I have to give credit to Ron Garney as well. He’s an artist who worked with Charles Soule on multiple Daredevil runs.“
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Returns – What Is That Dynamic Like?
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is back. Charlie Cox teases, without spoilers, what fans can expect.
“Listen, anything that Jn Bernthal is in, I will watch. I just think he’s such a talented actor. He’s got such amazing charisma and energy, and we are so fortunate to have him be part of this. Whenever he shows up, it’s absolute delight, both in terms of his performance and as a human. He brings such fun to the set, they’re fun days. He has a couple of really great scenes, potentially iconic moments. There’s a couple in the trailer. They’re an absolute joy to shoot. I feel like Jon and Charlie are very different people, so it’s really fun. Great friends. We’re very different people in some ways, but Daredevil and Frank are much more similar to one another than Charlie and Jon are, so it’s fun to play with that. And often, when I’m in a scene as Daredevil with Frank, he pulls me closer to a Daredevil that I’m frightened of and excited by, you know what I mean? I think it’s written in, I think it’s baked in the material as well. I get excited what he’s gonna do and hopefully we can, we can keep having him pop up.”
Vincent D’Onofrio adds:
“He’s just a great guy. When the three of us travel together, it’s so much fun. We get along so great. These guys are great family men and just really decent human beings so to hang out with them is always a thrill. There’s nothing nefarious, there’s nothing cheap, there’s no hidden agendas. We’re all very honest with each other, and genuinely, I think, are impressed by each other and respect each other.”
Kingpin & Daredevil’s Scenes Always Work Well Because There Are So Few Of Them
Vincent D’Onofrio speaks on finding the right dynamic between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk, and what makes their moments together so special. Also, where fans will find them in this new series.
“We’re trying to live in the daylight, the two of us, we have that in common. We’re broken men. If you can think about the metaphor of vampires trying to live in the daylight, it’s a struggle that they’re going through. He’s got his thing, and I’ve got my plan. You can’t put us together in the same scene a lot, because it’s not as powerful if you do that. How many scenes do you think we’ve done over the last 10 years? Like, five or six only. But it’s so good when you do. It’s good for us as the actors because we like doing scenes together, but it’s great for the story, because it always means something. It’s always either the beginning of something or the end of something, or both sometimes.”
Charlie Cox adds: “Something that we haven’t done before, and huge credit to Dario and the producers who came up with this idea, whoever it was, but bringing us together early on in this new season is something we haven’t done before, and putting them in a position where they are having to trust one another’s ability to stay true to who they say they are, and it just lends itself to a slightly different dynamic.“
This Is Not The Born Again Comic Story, But An Homage To It
Charlie Cox explains that while the series has the title Born Again, it is not that story ripped from the comics, but rather an homage to it.
“I think it’s important to add that we’re not doing the Born Again story. It’s the name of the show, but it is really just a reference to coming back after so many years, and, of course, an homage to Frank Miller’s iconic run. And obviously, yes, we’re always trying to find the best version of Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil. But in finding the best version, we also seek out the worst version. I think that’s what makes him such a compelling character and so relatable. Actually, I have to think of Daredevil as being, when you play that character, you’ll get to see the best version of yourself, and you’ll get to see the absolute worst version of yourself, which is fun.”
Kingpin Is On A Mission, And He Needs To Be In The Spotlight To Do It
Vincent D’Onofrio explains where fans will find Kingpin at the start of the Daredevil: Born Again series.
“Without spoiling he’s on a mission. He’s the same guy he was in the Netflix show, but he’s got a new plan. First thing he’s got to do is sort things out with his wife, because he’s been gone for a while, that turns into something extremely exciting. And then there’s the other side, which is he is he has a plan. He’s going to his plan is to stretch his reach. It’s the beginning of that. How far he’s going to go for control, and it’s a struggle, because he has to live in the daylight to do that.“
Vincent D’Onofrio Loves Moon Knight & Loki, So He Was Thrilled To Work With Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
Vincent D’Onofrio reveals that he loves both Moon Knight and Loki, which had him very excited to work with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.
“The idea that I had two people, one a very close friend that worked with these guys, who is one of the most intelligent actors that I know and probably will ever meet. It’s Ethan Hawke, and they worked with him, and so I knew about that. I had a blow by blow description of the shoot of Moon Knight by Ethan. And then they did Loki, which was personally my favorite Disney+ show, especially this season, because they did some stuff in the second season that I’ve never seen on television before in that show. The way that they handled the violence, you don’t really see a lot, but you feel it all. It’s incredible what they did. I just want to just say that out loud, that we knew we had a different job to do. We knew we had to get it done, and the fact that our bosses were clever enough to bring all these people in was an amazing thing.”
We all know that Muse is a part of the Daredevil: Born Again series, but that is about all we know. Dario Scardapane teases what fans can expect.
“Inside the story of these [Daredevil and Kingpin], there are stressors that come in. And I would say Muse is one of those stressors. What happens with Muse, is he creates a ripple effect that actually goes past this season into the future, but that’s about all I could say. People know that he’s in the show. What exactly happens and what effect it has on these two I’m keeping my mouth shut about.”
Charlie Cox Says Don’t Worry Daredevil Fans, “We Got Ya”
Vincent D’Onofrio says that the fans were kept in mind throughout the entire process of Daredevil: Born Again.
“I just hope they’re as excited about it as we are, and that it’s totally entertaining for them, and that they’re happy that they just finished the series, because we all worked really hard on it, and we all believed in the fans, and we worked towards what we felt they wanted the whole time.”
Charlie Cox reveals that fans of the original series should not be worried.
“There’s a thirst when we speak to fans, when we have that interaction, there’s a thirst for quality and identity, a fabric of the show that we’ve had in the past that you can’t necessarily articulate it, put your finger on it, but you get this sense of, like a worried desire for, is it going to be there? And I hope they feel that it is. I think it is and every now and again, I meet a fan, and they go, Is the show is dark? Is it going to be? And when I hear that, I have a smile, because I’m like, Yeah, you’re going to be okay. We got you.”
You’ve never seen a sports comedy like Racewalkers. The most ridiculous (and sometimes heartwarming) story about the most ridiculous sport.
I have seen my fair share of sports comedies, but Racewalkers is a whole new breed of film – and I mean that in a good way. Yes, racewalking is a real sport and yes, it looks absolutely ridiculous – which this film not only knows, but fully embraces. Aside from that though, Racewalkers plays very seriously, which is why it works so well.
Kevin Claydon stars as Matt who happens to have a knack for racewalking – perhaps because he was a successful baseball pitcher – who is discovered by Will (Phil Moniz). Will’s cousin Ched (Robbie Amell) is a racewalker as his Uncle Kurt (Greg Bryk). Of course, Will meets Matt just in time to start training as an Olympic hopeful, which causes a hilarious rivalry between him and Ched.
Brilliantly, Moniz and Claydon pull triple duty. Not only are the two main actors in the film, they wrote it, and direct it. Somehow they pull it all off, which should be applauded because they easily could have been pulled in too many directions, finding themselves stretched thin, to the point where none of this works. Thankfully, it all does.
Racewalkers is a silly movie, should come as no surprise to anyone. When it wants to be funny, it is laugh-out-loud funny. But it also knows how to deliver on the heartwarming and emotional moments as well. There is a lot of family drama and issues weaved throughout the film that make it relatable to almost anyone watching because admit it, we all have someone in the family we have issues with.
This film allows friendship to blossom. It not only shines a light on this sport that many have never heard of, it also puts the spotlight on the fact that good friends are hard to come by and so when you do find them, never let them go. Sometimes, maybe a little too often, our relationships with our friends can be stronger than those we have with our families.
I refuse to spoil anything, but there is a bit of love story weaved in here as well.
There is a lot to love about Racewalkers. It is a unique and entertaining story that perfectly combines humor and heart. The lead actors have fantastic chemistry together thanks to many years of Moniz and Claydon working together. It truly shines through the film taking it to the next level.
Amell is always great and he gives his all to the role of Ched. He is fully committed to racewalking, even though he looks absolutely ridiculous doing it. He also brings his A-game in terms of the rivalry he has with both Claydon and Moniz’s characters. The three of them together are a lot of fun, and I hope to see them work on more projects together.
This movie knows what it is. It knows that racewalking is a sport that is not very well known, and it knows that the athletes doing it don’t exactly look cool while they are. Having that clarity and the ability to poke fun at itself, while still taking the sport seriously when it needs to, is why Racewalkers is as good as it is. That, and the fantastic performances.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one of the most magical (pun intended) stage plays you will ever see thanks to unforgettable stage production.
(l-r) Julia Nightingale as Delphi Diggory, Aidan Close as Scorpius Malfoy and Emmet Smith as Albus Potter
So many people have fallen in love with Harry Potter and the Wizarding World over the years and for good reason. There is something about not only the magic but the thought that perhaps, you too are a secret wizard and can escape the “real world”. The characters are lovable through their flaws – I have to admit, I have always been a Draco Malfoy girl – making the stories easy to relate to.
(l-r) Ebony Blake as Hermione Granger, Naiya Vanessa McCalla as Rose Granger-Weasley, Matt Mueller as Ron Weasley, Caleb Hafen as James Potter Jr., John Skelley as Harry Potter, Trish Lindstrom as Ginny Potter, Emmet Smith as Albus Potter
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues the story past the books and the films, exploring the next generation of wizards. Understandably, Albus Severus Potter has some big shoes to fill. Not only his father’s but those of his namesakes as well. That is quite a bit of pressure to have as a child. When he becomes friends with Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius, the two devise a plot to change the past – but it just might have some serious effects on the present.
(l-r) Matt Mueller as Ron Weasley, Ebony Blake as Hermione Granger, John Skelley as Harry Potter
Admittedly, it is extremely exciting to dive into the future lives of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter. As someone who has read all of the books multiple times, and seen the movies more times than I can count, I absolutely adore this world and these characters.
Sure, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child might turn some things I would have thought to be true on their heads, but that is what is so exciting about it. If things play out exactly as you expect, wouldn’t that be quite boring? I can see why some Potterheads are upset by the story, but I found it to the intriguing, emotional, and exciting. It is thrilling to not know what will happen next and I am always a supporter of the lesson that even the smallest change in the past can drastically change things.
(l-r) Aidan Close as Scorpius Malfoy, Mackenzie Lesser-Roy as Moaning Myrtle, and Emmet Smith as Albus Potter
While the entire cast is incredible, doing a wonderful job of capturing the feel of legacy characters while bringing something new with the unknown characters, there are a few standouts. I already admitted that I love a Malfoy, so it should come as no surprise that I instantly fell in love with the character of Scorpius (Aidan Close).
Close absolutely nails this performance. He has aspects of Tom Felton’s Draco weaved in just enough for us to believe he is a Malfoy. He is lovable, hilarious, and a brilliant part of the story. And that chemistry with Emmey Smith’s Albus Potter? It only took about twenty minutes before my daughter leaned over and whispered “I ship them.” Girl, me too.
Smith also delivers on some great comedic moments, but Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is not just about the laughs. There are some moments that will absolutely pull at your heart strings and had me crying (a certain line from Snape basically broke me). Every performer in this cast brings their A-game. There is no doubt about that.
The cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour
But what really impressed me is the stage production. The team behind the scenes works just as hard as those in the spotlight, that is for sure. The way that magic is portrayed is thrilling and seamless.
Chairs float, characters themselves go flying through the air. The dementors are terrifying, the swimming scene is pure perfection, and the way that pyrotechnics are used is just the icing on the cake. Come for the story and beloved characters, stay for the absolutely insane production.
(l-r) John Skelley as Harry Potter and Emmet Smith as Albus Potter
Overall, I was thrilled with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. My daughter and I both enjoyed ourselves. This story is a fun way to tie into the past ones but also bring something new to the table. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, and thanks to the unforgettable production, is an experience you will remember for a long time.
Full disclosure, prior to opening night at Pantages Theatre, I knew almost nothing of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I never saw the play when it was two nights and am unaware of the changes that were made in order to condense it.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is playing at Pantages Theatre in Hollywood now through June 22. Get your tickets here.
About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
IT’S TIME TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is now on tour across North America, boldly restaged as one magical show. Hold onto the edge of your seat as this spellbinding spectacular will whisk you back to Hogwarts and beyond your imagination for a one-of-a-kind journey that’s everything you hoped for—and more.
With just one ticket in hand, you’ll enjoy the continuation of Harry’s story in one magical afternoon or evening.
Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards including Best Play. “It’s one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes).
When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It’s a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine).
Bring Them Down tells a twisted story of revenge that is difficult to watch due to animal cruelty but stellar lead performances make it a must see.
There are a lot of movies that prominently feature a tale of revenge, and while Bring Them Down is another one of these, there is a lot that makes it unique and causes it to stand out among the bunch. It might be on the more difficult side to watch because of the animal cruelty involved, but the stellar lead performances from Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott make it an absolute must watch.
The main plot of Bring Them Down revolves around a fued between two sheepherding farms. Jack (Keoghan) and Michael (Abbott) have it out for each other and while at first the reasoning is not completely clear, it does become apparent as the movie goes on. There is a lot more history there than just rival farms trying to one-up each other, although that is what it appears to be at first.
The story gets dark and twisted the more we learn about it. There are several moments that will be difficult for animal lovers (well, heck, for anyone) to watch because of the severe animal cruelty. I found myself hiding under the covers during certain scenes because they were just too much. In fact, I was muted one scene completely because of the awful sounds coming out of the sheep.
That said, these moments really drive the story home and have a prolonged effect on several different characters – even ones you might not expect them to. Bring Them Down tells a simple story, but an intriguing one. It feels like something that could easily happen between neighbor sheep farms, and is completely believable.
There are times where this movie gets intense, especially towards the end. It switches gears from a drama to more of a thriller – both Keoghan and Abbott make that jump seamlessly. Both of their acting performances are memorable, but it is the chemistry between the two of them that will rock viewers to their core. Likely you will relate to them both at one point or another, which is equal parts scary and disturbing because of the ordeal they are going through.
Something that could cause a few viewers to end up confused is that there is some going back and forth in time. Bring Them Down is, for the most part, told in the order of events, but every once in a while we find dots being connected by jumping backwards in time. While I did not find this hard to follow, I can see how some might.
There is no doubt that Bring Them Down is a difficult watch. It is unafraid to go there in order to drive its point home, but because of that some scenes are sickening. Violence is often a vicious cycle, and some fights are just not worth it. Keoghan and Abbott are both fantastic in this film though, which makes it a must watch (even if you have to cover your ears and eyes a few times).
Bring Them Down is playing in select theaters now.
Starring Oscar-nominee Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) and Christopher Abbott (Possessor, Sanctuary), BRING THEM DOWN is a tense and gripping thriller about two warring families set against the harsh landscape of rural west Ireland.
When the ongoing rivalry between farmers Michael (Abbott) and Jack (Keoghan) suddenly escalates, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered.
From first-time filmmaker Christopher Andrews and co-starring Colm Meaney, Paul Ready and Nora-Jane Noone, this is a fierce, muscular debut that signals a bold new cinematic voice.
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