Boots Riley follows up Sorry to Bother Youwith his new film I Love Boosters, now in theaters. Like his previous film, the movie blends surrealism, comedy and a star-studded cast, including LaKeith Stanfield, Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie and Demi Moore.
“[I Love Boosters] takes place in the world of professional shoplifters,” he tells ABC Audio. “You could roughly say it’s a heist comedy, and then you just add the fact of the cast, and you don’t have to say more. If you want to know more than that, you want to know too much.”
While Sorry to Bother Youused telemarketing to critique capitalism, this film focuses on boosters aka professional shoplifters. Boots says he had personal experience with that world during his years as a “broke rapper” trying to keep up with fashion.
He explains, “I’ve spent decades being a broke rapper … and when you have no money and you’re trying to stay fly, you better call a booster.”
The film follows a group of professional shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven by stealing her clothes and reselling them.
Boots says his interest in boosters comes from how often they are “villainized,” suggesting they play a role in working-class communities and communities of color.
“Boosters serve in a world in which style … is generated from communities of color and other poorer communities that can’t afford the stuff that gets generated from those inspirations,” he argues. “And so boosters actually end up … being something that holds the community together while people are trying to survive.”
The film also stars Keke Palmer, whom Boots says he wanted to challenge creatively.
“People think she’s inspiring on film, and on TV and on Instagram. She’s more so in person,” he says. “She’s such a bright, shining beacon and she is smart as hell.”
He adds that he believes the film is both of their best work.
Back in 1964, Paul McCartney played The Ed Sullivan Show with The Beatles. And on Thursday night, he returned to the same venue to turn out the lights on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Sir Paul returned to Ed Sullivan Theater, as it was renamed in 1967, to sit for an interview with Colbert on the host’s final broadcast, and then performed The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye,” with Colbert singing backup, along with Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste and the show’s staff.
During the interview, Colbert asked McCartney if the theater still brings back memories. “When you close your eyes, do you hear the girls screaming?” “Yeah,” McCartney replied as the women in the audience screamed wildly.
“How often does that happen to you at this point?” Colbert asked when the screams died down. “Often,” said McCartney.
McCartney also reminisced about how, when The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan, they got makeup put on them for the cameras and “it was, like, bright orange.” “That’s very popular in certain circles these days,” joked Colbert. “Now we know where it started. Thanks a lot, Paul McCartney!”
Sir Paul also talked about the romantic vision The Beatles had of America as “the land of the free, the greatest democracy,” adding, “That was what it was. It still is, hopefully.”
Prior to “Hello Goodbye,” Colbert, Costello and Batiste performed an obscure Costello song, “Jump Up.” Then, as “Hello Goodbye” faded out, Colbert went to turn out the lights, and beckoned McCartney to join him. He threw the switch, the building went dark, and it was then sucked into a wormhole and spit out into a snow globe, being sniffed at by a dog. We then heard Colbert’s voice saying, “C’mon Benny, let’s go,” and the show ended.
The official trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has arrived. Netflix is set to release the second season of the live-action reimagining of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series on June 25. In season 2, the gang of Aang, Katara and Sokka “regroup and set off on a mission to convince the elusive Earth King to aid in their battle against fearsome Fire Lord Ozai,” according to an official description. It stars Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Elizabeth Yu, Miyako and Momona Tamada …
A24 has finished production on director Dev Patel’s revenge action thriller film The Peasant. Deadline reports that with the project wrapped, it marks the studio’s first production to film in India. Along with Patel, the film stars Christian Friedel, Sebastian Bull, Saurabh Sachdeva, Anasuya Sengupta and Vipin Sharma …
Julianne Moore has found her next project. Variety reports that she is set to executive produce and star in a new comedy film for Netflix. The currently untitled movie comes from Higher Ground, the production company founded by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. It follows a mother who panics when her daughter is offered a promotion that will force her to move across the country …
Pedro Pascal once again stars as the Mandalorian bounty hunter in the film, which arrives in theaters everywhere on Friday. He told ABC News that one of his earliest memories of going to the movie theater as a child was to see Star Wars.
“I was born in ’75, so there was a rerelease of Star Wars before The Empire Strikes Back because I saw it in the movie theater. Obi-Wan Kenobi was decapitated by Darth Vader in my very, very, very early childhood,” Pascal said. “Getting tickets to Return of the Jedi … it’s just a day I’ll never forget.”
Pascal said this John Favreau-directed film is for the Star Wars fans, but it’s also for people who are just now starting their journey with its expansive universe.
“John Favreau has been brilliant about creating an experience that if you love Star Wars there’s so much in there for you to experience in the context of … all of the Star Wars storytelling that we’ve had from the beginning up until now,” Pascal said. “But it’s also that kind of experience that I had when I saw my first Bond movie, of which I hadn’t seen any of the other ones, I didn’t know who James Bond was.”
Even though he went in unaware of the Bond universe, he left the theater “owned by Moonraker as a kid” and “on a ride that I didn’t want to get off.”
“I love that this can be that for people,” Pascal continued.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Lucasfilm.
Kerry Washington of Onyx Collective’s ‘Unprisoned’ poses for a portrait during the 2023 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 14, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (JSquared Photography/Contour by Getty Images) | The book cover for ‘What Remains.’ (Blackstone Publishing, Inc.)
Kerry Washington has found her next TV role.
The actress is set to star in and executive produce a new thriller drama called What Remains, ABC Audio has confirmed. Hulu is developing the series that is based on Wendy Walker’s 2023 novel of the same name.
What Remains follows what happens to Detective Elise Sutton (Washington) after she takes the life of a disturbed man in the line of duty.
Detective Sutton, who is known as “a devoted wife, loving mother, and cold case specialist — reels from the guilt of her actions,” according to the show’s official logline. “To convince herself that she did the right thing, she makes contact with a mysterious man that she saved that day, only to discover that he’s not at all what he seems. She’s soon caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, following the clues he leaves for her and realizing that the only person who can stop him…is her.”
A Million Little Things‘ Chris Luccy is set to write the adaptation while McG will direct it. Both are set to executive produce. The series hails from 20th Television and Kapital Entertainment.
USA Today bestselling author Walker is set to produce the series. Her psychological suspense novels have been translated into over 23 different languages.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News, Hulu and 20th Television.
Chlöe’s worlds of music and acting unite in the upcoming Peacock film Strung.
She plays Laila, “a talented violinist [who] takes a prestigious job as a music tutor for the gifted daughter of an influential and enigmatic family,” according to a press release.
A recently released trailer for the film shows Laila considering the position after being approached by the family matriarch, played by Lynn Whitfield. “We need somebody, a full-time live-in music tutor for my granddaughter,” Lynn’s character says while giving Laila a tour of the home.
“The type of money they paying, it’s the perfect opportunity,” Laila says as decides whether she should take the job.
Things take a turn when she’s introduced to the gifted Zuri, who emerges with a mask on her face and warns, “The Zulu believe if you die in your dreams, you die in real life. Be careful what you dream.”
“As she becomes entangled in their opulent world, unsettling secrets begin to surface, forcing her to question her safety, her dreams, and even her sanity,” the press release says of Laila.
“Something is wrong in that house,” Chlöe says in the trailer.
Strung premieres June 26 and also stars Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, Coco Jones and Romy Woods.
“i’m fighting for my life!!!” Chlöe wrote on socials when announcing the film’s trailer.
In a statement, director Malcolm D. Lee said he was drawn to “the script’s twists and turns,” adding that the film combines “lush visuals, captivating performances and a riveting soundtrack that captivates viewers” designed to keep viewers on edge.
He then concluded with a tease: “Prepare to be Strung…”
Lily Collins on set of the sixth and final season of ‘Emily in Paris.’ (Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix)
Au revoir, Emily in Paris.
Netflix has announced that the popular romance series will end after its upcoming season 6. The sixth and final season has just started production in Greece.
Lily Collins once again stars as the titular American marketing executive who moved overseas for work. She shared a video message with fans of Emily in Paris after the news broke that the show was coming to an end.
“After six unforgettable years of playing Emily Cooper, I’m here to share that this upcoming sixth season will be our final. Season 6 will bring you everything you love about the show and serve as the final chapter in Emily’s adventure of a lifetime,” Collins said in the video. “Our entire cast and crew are pouring our hearts into making this a fantastic farewell season, which we’re now filming. I can’t wait for all of the magic ahead, and to celebrate our final season with you in the most chic way yet. We’re so incredibly grateful and we love you all. A bientot!”
The video video shows off many of the series’ stars, including Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Lucien Laviscount, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie and Eugenio Franceschini.
Darren Star created the show, which he also executive produces and writes for.
“Making Emily in Paris with this extraordinary cast and crew has been the trip of a lifetime. As we embark on the final season, I am so grateful to Netflix, Paramount, and, most importantly, the fans who have taken this incredible journey with us,” Star said. “We can’t wait to share this last chapter with you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives, inspiring your dreams of travel and your love of Paris. We will always have Emily in Paris!”
A Rick and Morty movie is on the way. Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is in early development on the film, which franchise veteran Jacob Hair is in talks to direct. The news arrives as the ninth season of the animated adult TV series is set to launch on Sunday …
Francesca Scorsese, the daughter of legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, is set to star in Mr. and Mrs. Smith season 2. Variety reports that she joins previously announced cast members Mark Eydelshteyn and Talia Ryder in the new season of the Prime Video series …
Netflix has announced a three-part docuseries titled Michael Jackson: The Verdict is heading to the streaming service. It has also released a trailer for the show, which premieres on June 3. It dissects the trial of Michael Jackson and his complex legacy as told by key players who were inside the courtroom …
The poster for the film ‘Is God Is.’ (Amazon MGM Studios/Orion Pictures)
Vivica A. Fox stars in the film Is God Is, a story about twin sisters, played Kara Young and Mallori Johnson, who have severe burn scars after surviving their father’s attempt to murder them, along with their mother. Her character, Ruby, sets them on a revenge mission to kill their dad, shaping the film’s central storyline — a role Vivica said she appreciated.
“Ruby was the catalyst of basically setting off the revenge mission for the girls. So I loved it,” she said, noting she also enjoyed “working with the girls, Kara and Mallori.”
“They were so, so phenomenally prepared, so phenomenally talented that it just really made the experience easy,” she continued.
The challenge came when it was time to dress for the part of a fire survivor.
“The hardest part was the prosthetics,” Vivica said, noting it took four hours to complete the look. “The funniest part, just to add a little bit of humor to it, was when people would come to set wanting to meet Vivica Fox, and I turned around and I was like, ‘Hey,’ and it was like, ‘Oh my God.'”
She credited director Aleshea Harris for putting together a team that helped make it all possible.
“She hired the best people to work with us to make it believable,” Vivica said, “and I appreciate that I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to play Ruby a way that my audience has never seen me.”
Through her character, Vivica hopes women can learn “to be strong, to know that you can be a survivor and a thriver, and to be honest.”