Britt Hayes is a writer, movie lover, and sensible sweater enthusiast living in Austin, Texas. She watches too much TV and never eats her vegetables.
Britt Hayes
New Netflix Instant Releases: March 2017
Start marking your calendars now (and apologize to your loved ones in advance for your lack of interaction) because Netflix is looking pretty stacked in March. In addition to the usual assortment of recent releases, old favorites and contemporary classics, next month brings premieres of new Netflix Original series like Love Season 2, Grace and Frankie Season 3, and — last but far from least — the latest addition to Marvel’s Defenders lineup.
New Amazon Prime Instant Video Releases – March 2017
It’s that time again — Amazon has unveiled the latest additions hitting the Prime Instant Video service in March, including recent favorites like Everybody Wants Some!! (do they? They do) and What We Do in the Shadows. Next month also brings the premieres of Amazon Original films The Dressmaker and Gimme Danger, along with new seasons of Hand of God and Orphan Black.
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ International Titles Clear Up Some Confusion
When Lucasfilm initially revealed Star Wars: The Last Jedi as the full title for Episode VIII, rampant nerdy speculation ensued over what it might mean. Since “Jedi” could be either singular or plural, the title of Rian Johnson’s upcoming sequel implied a few possibilities — Luke could (obviously) be the last Jedi, or maybe it’s Rey, or maybe it’s both of them (and maybe others?). Thanks to the official international titles for the film, and a little assistance from social media, we now have an answer.
‘Stranger Things’ Star Millie Bobby Brown Visits ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Set, World Does Not Implode
Somewhere, a Tumblr user’s brain is melting because their mash-up art just came to life and now they’re wondering what to do next with such great artistic responsibility (hint: look toward the White House). Two beloved pop culture entities have converged, and yet neither the internet nor the time-space continuum has imploded; instead, we are treated with a rather charming photo.
‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Gets a Spoonful of Angela Lansbury
The imminent live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast looks wonderful, sure, but it’s sorely lacking the presence of Angela Lansbury, particularly in the musical department. Rest assured that Disney recognizes your disappointment and they, too, feel as though we could all desperately use a little Lansbury magic in our lives — thus, a solution has emerged: The artist formerly known as Jessica Fletcher will generously grace the Mary Poppins sequel with her presence.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Will Bring a ‘Hamilton’ Movie to the Masses, Eventually
Today in news filed under No Doy, Lin-Manuel Miranda has confirmed what we’ve all suspected ever since Hamilton became a Broadway sensation: The inevitable film adaptation is definitely coming…just, not anytime in the imminent future. Between plotting epic fantasy franchises and working on animated feature projects, Miranda is a pretty busy guy, to say the least. Besides, he just finished his run on the hit historical musical. Give the man a moment, will you?
Will Smith Won’t Be Starring in Tim Burton’s Live-Action ‘Dumbo’ Movie After All
After starring in a handful of disappointing films, including last year’s Collateral Beauty and Suicide Squad, it sure would be nice to see Will Smith star in a decent movie again. Bad Boys 3, which was recently delayed, could be that film — maybe, possibly — but Disney’s new Dumbo movie seemed like more of a sure thing given the studio’s reliable formula for live-action remakes. Recent reports revealed that Smith was in talks to star in Tim Burton’s reimagining of the classic Disney film; unfortunately, those talks are no longer happening.
‘Jurassic World 2’ Adds ‘Silence of the Lambs’ Star Ted Levine
Those dinosaurs are gonna need a whole lot of lotion. Ted Levine, the actor best known for playing iconic creeper Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs, has joined the cast of Jurassic World 2, undoubtedly inspiring all sorts of ill-advised fan-fic ideas for the Tumblr community. With Levine on board, the cast is reportedly finalized for the sequel, which is set to begin production this spring with director J.A. Bayona (A Monster Calls) at the helm.
Taika Waititi and Animator Mark Gustafson to Direct Michael Jackson Chimp Movie ‘Bubbles’
Taika Waititi, you just directed a Marvel movie about a thunder god’s adventures through mythical realms with an angry green giant — what will you do next? The answer is not a trip to Disney Land (well, maybe?), but it’s definitely going to be one heck of a trip. Waititi is teaming up with animator Mark Gustafson to direct a stop-motion animated film about…Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee.
Tina Fey, Steve Carell and More Celebs’ Yearbook Photos Come to Life in Honda’s Weird Super Bowl Ad
A handful of Super Bowl ads have already landed online ahead of this Sunday’s big game — it’s the usual mix of TV spots for upcoming movies like Ghost in the Shell and Transformers: The Last Knight, along with a few ads featuring familiar faces like Gal Gadot and John Malkovich promoting businesses and collecting paychecks. And then there’s Honda. Like others, their ad for this year’s Super Bowl also features several beloved celebs, but there’s something kind of unnerving about the execution.
‘The LEGO Movie’ Sequel Lands ‘Trolls’ Director Mike Mitchell
Way, way back in February 2015, Warner Bros. hired Community vet Rob Schrab to direct The LEGO Movie sequel — a pick fully endorsed by filmmaking Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who are a teensy bit busy working on a certain Star Wars movie, and thus unable to helm the follow-up to their animated blockbuster. Almost two years later (and several months since we last heard anything about the sequel), there’s apparently been a creative shakeup, as Schrab has reportedly left the project and been replaced by the director of Trolls.
Margot Robbie Has Tonya Harding’s Attitude on Lock in This Great Set Video
In case you haven’t heard, Margot Robbie is currently filming I, Tonya, a new biopic in which she plays disgraced former figure skating champ Tonya Harding. Although it’s a little disappointing that Anne Hathaway wasn’t cast as Nancy Kerrigan (I mean, come on), Robbie’s new film (which she’s also producing) is still riding high near the top of my most-anticipated list — and a new video from the set really seals the deal.
Must Watch: Keanu Reeves Was an Awkward Teen Reporter on a Kids’ TV Show
If someone asked you to recall Keanu Reeves’ earliest acting gig, you might think of Parenthood or Babes in Toyland. As it turns out, the intensely likable star of John Wick: Chapter 2 started his career a bit earlier than that, and like us non-famous folks, Reeves’ first job wasn’t exactly pleasant; in fact, it was kiiiiiind of awkward, but that just makes this little-seen footage of Reeves as a teenage reporter on a Canadian kids’ show all the more rewarding.
‘The LEGO Batman Movie’ LEGO Sets Reveal New Looks at LEGO Bane, Two-Face, Batwing and More
If you like your toys to be as meta as possible, then you’re definitely going to want to make a little room in your budget for The LEGO Batman Movie LEGO sets. Yes, the LEGO version of the iconic superhero is getting his very own LEGO sets, featuring LEGO Bat-vehicles, LEGO Bat-villains and much more. As we’ve noted before, it’s kind of amazing to see toy sets based on a movie that’s based on a toy that’s based on a superhero.
Vin Diesel Thinks a Groot Solo Movie Is ‘Inevitable’ Because Vin Diesel Says So
Groot has proven wildly popular in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks in no small part to the introduction of Baby Groot, and even though Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 doesn’t hit theaters for another four months, he’s already become everyone’s favorite character. And while such intensely beloved characters often work better in slightly smaller doses within an ensemble (like the Guardians movies), Vin Diesel, the number one source for breaking Vin Diesel news, seems to think a solo Groot spinoff is “inevitable.”
Mel Gibson Is Trumping the 2017 Oscars
When the 2017 Academy Award nominees were announced this morning, the list offered the usual array of snubs and surprises — the latter of which ranged from pleasant to baffling; Moonlight picked up eight nods and a record number of black actors were nominated (Oscars #NotSoWhite this year), while Passengers picked up two nods (they just had to give that movie something, didn’t they). As expected, many of this year’s picks feel “safe”; it says something when the most divisive nominee is a musical about jazz — or is it? Maybe the Academy’s La La Land love and its increased inclusivity are distracting from the low-key elephant in the room.