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
‘Star Wars: Episode 9’ Director Colin Trevorrow Will Shoot on Film, Not Digital
In the ongoing battle between film and digital (Film v Digital: Dawn of Justice), there’s one man who will not capitulate to your contemporary technology. Joining the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder, Colin Trevorrow will also remain committed to shooting on film, as the director says he will shoot Star Wars: Episode IX on the classic format instead of digital.
‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ Review: A Masterful and Meditative Retelling of the Trial of the Century
The O.J. Simpson trial was a cultural milestone for an entire generation. Just as our parents and grandparents remember where they were when JFK was assassinated, many of us can recall with distinct clarity where we were when Simpson notoriously fled the police in a white Bronco with a gun to his head. The media coverage was breathlessly sensational, but there is nothing sensationalized about The People v. O.J. Simpson, the flagship season of Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story, which is undoubtedly the very best thing Murphy has ever produced.
Tom Cruise Met With Jerry Bruckheimer About ‘Top Gun 2,’ And There’s a Photo to Prove It
We’ve heard about Top Gun 2 for several years now, but with the passing of original director Tony Scott and Tom Cruise’s consistently busy schedule, it’s hard to believe that it might actually happen. We may be closer to that long-developing sequel than ever before, as Cruise has met with producer Jerry Bruckheimer about Top Gun 2, and there’s photographic evidence to prove it.
Zack Snyder Received Christopher Nolan’s Bat-Blessing for ‘Batman v Superman’
Christopher Nolan delivered a solid trilogy of Batman films (okay, two really good Batman movies and a competent sequel we begrudgingly accept) and inspired a wave of gritty blockbuster imitators. His Dark Knight trilogy gave us the best Batman movies since Tim Burton’s time with the iconic superhero, which made fans feel a little skeptical about Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck’s plans for the character. In an attempt to soothe your fears — however reasonable and totally justified they may be — Snyder has revealed that he received Nolan’s blessing for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. So that’s something, right?
New DVD and Blu-ray Releases: February 2016
If you’re in need of a break from the movie theater next month, there are lots of great titles heading to DVD and Blu-ray in February, including some of last year’s most critically acclaimed releases to help you get caught up before the Oscars. Whether you’re looking to rent or own, you’ll find plenty of titles to choose from in our guide to February’s new DVD and Blu-ray releases.
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Deleted Scene Had Maz Kanata Battling Stormtroopers
If you were one of the fans disappointed by Maz Kanata’s limited role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, then we have good and bad news for you. The good news is that Lupita Nyong’o’s wizened old alien pirate is as much of a badass as you suspected. The bad news is that the scene in which she showed off her very particular set of skills was left on the cutting room floor. Silver lining: it could be one of the deleted scenes that shows up on The Force Awakens Blu-ray.
John Boyega Says ‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Will Be ‘Much Darker’
There was plenty of the dark side in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, though overall, J.J. Abrams’ first film in the new trilogy skewed a bit more toward the light side of things, tonally-speaking. It was a solid, entertaining re-introduction to the world of Star Wars, giving us a bit of the familiar and plenty of new elements, setting the table for Episode 8 to really expand on the newer characters and their journeys. And while it’s still a bit early to speculate about Rian Johnson’s plans for the follow-up, John Boyega has offered a couple of clues.
‘Bad Santa 2’ Casts Christina Hendricks as Billy Bob Thornton’s Love Interest
So much for a Lauren Graham appearance in Bad Santa 2! Billy Bob Thornton’s foul-mouthed crook will have a new love interest in the upcoming sequel, as Christina Hendricks has joined the lineup, joining fellow new addition Kathy Bates and a few other returning stars whose names are not Lauren Graham.
‘Star Wars’ Writer Lawrence Kasdan Reveals When the Han Solo Film Takes Place
Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan is leaving the Star Wars universe after the solo Han Solo prequel / spinoff, and while that film won’t hit theaters until 2018 — and we don’t even know who is playing Han — Kasdan has been offering a little insight into what the film may be like. During a chat with The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams, Kasdan delivered another bit of information about the upcoming film, which is being helmed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Johnny Depp Dethrones Adam Sandler as the Most Overpaid Actor in Hollywood
Last year, Forbes dubbed Adam Sandler the most overpaid actor in Hollywood with the help of some basic math skills — the publication looks at how much a studio makes for every dollar they paid their leading man. Johnny Depp came in second place in 2014, and although Sandler has had an impressively terrible year, Depp succeeded in overthrowing the former funny man and stealing his overpaid crown.
The ‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Script Is So Good, J.J. Abrams Wishes He Were Directing It
J.J. Abrams revved up the engine on the ol’ Star Wars ship, launching the series on a new journey with The Force Awakens, but declining to return for the subsequent sequels. Instead, Rian Johnson (Looper) and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) will be steering the franchise from here on out, directing Episodes 8 and 9, respectively. Johnson is in production on Episode 8 right now, and according to The Force Awakens star Daisy Ridley, the script is “very good.” How good? Abrams regrets turning down the chance to direct it.
Weekend Box Office Report: ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Flounders in the Wake of ‘Mockingjay’
While many suspected that In the Heart of the Sea would perform well in its opening weekend at the box office, Ron Howard's seafaring epic delivered incredibly underwhelming numbers, while The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 continued its reign for the fourth week in a row. That's all going to change next weekend when Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives and completely demolishes the competition — if you can even call it "competition."