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Sarah Paulson, Matthew Rhys & More Join Steven Spielberg’s Pentagon Papers Film

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Back in March news emerged not just that Steven Spielberg was working on a film about the Pentagon Papers, but that he’d already got Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks onboard to star. Now the director has been filling out the acting ensemble, as Variety reports that Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Matthew Rhys, Bradley Whitford, Carrie Coon, Jesse Plemons, David Cross, Alison Brie, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Zach Woods have all signed onto the movie. There’s no news on the exact roles they’ll play.

The movie will be based on Liz Hannah’s spec script, which recently landed one of the top spots on the Black List of the best unproduced screenplays. It’s ‘a drama about the Washington Post’s role in exposing the Pentagon Papers in 1971, and how the Post’s editor Ben Bradlee and publisher Kay Graham challenged the federal government over their right to publish them.’

The Pentagon Papers were a Top Secret report commissioned to look at what was happening in the Vietnam War. It spoke of a dramatic escalation that was being hidden from the public, and much of its information seemed to support the growing idea that the war was unwinnable. After it was leaked to the Washington Post, the newspaper ended up in a legal battle with the government over whether they could publish more of what they’d learned from the report.

At a time when the current US President is at war with the media and angry about leaks, this look at freedom of the press, the First Amendment and government lies could end up being extremely timely. To ensure the film can properly address current events, the film is on an accelerated production schedule so that it can get an Oscar qualifying run at the end of the year, before getting a wider release in early 2018.

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First Look At Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett & The Women Of Ocean’s 8

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The Ocean’s franchise is coming back, but George Clooney, Brad Pitt and co. won’t be around this turn (although Matt Damon will show up for a cameo), with the action moving across to an octet of women who are getting into the heist game. The movie is now shooting and the first image from the film has been released, as you can see above.

It has to be said though, the ladies don’t look like they’re having a lot of fun in the pic.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘The tide has turned and it’s a whole new “Ocean’s” when eight women plan and execute a heist in New York. Oscar winner Sandra Bullock stars in the title role, alongside Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, with Rihanna and Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter.  Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gary Ross is directing.

Ross directs from a screenplay he wrote with Olivia Milch (upcoming “Dude”), with Steven Soderbergh and Jon Kilik producing, Michael Tadross, Susan Ekins, Sandra Bullock, Diana Alvarez and Bruce Berman executive producing, and Milch co-producing.  Filming is taking place in and around New York City.

‘Collaborating with Ross behind the scenes are director of photography Eigil Bryld (“In Bruges,” “Not Fade Away”), production designer Alex DiGerlando (“Beasts of the Southern Wild,” HBO’s “True Detective”), editor Juliette Welfling (“Free State of Jones,” “The Hunger Games”), costume designer Sarah Edwards (“Tower Heist,” Showtime’s “Billions”), and composer Nicholas Britell (“The Big Short,” “Free State of Jones”).

‘The film is set for release in Summer 2018 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.’

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Damian Lewis Will Be Getting Villainous In Ocean’s Eight

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A great cast including Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and Awkwafina has already been lined up to be the female thieves in Ocean’s Eight. However, the heist team needs someone to go up against, and now they’ve found them in the form of Damian Lewis.

Variety reports that he’s in final talks to play the villain in the movie. Plot details are still being kept secret, so it’s not known exactly what Lewis will be doing, but he’ll presumably be causing trouble for Bullock and co. Dakota Johnson also stars, while Matt Damon is reported to be making a cameo, to help connect the film to the other Ocean’s movie.

Hunger Games helmer Gary Ross recently started shooting the movie New York. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the Ocean’s 11 trilogy, will produce.

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Matt Damon Returning To The Heist Franchise For Ocean’s Eight

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matt-damon-oceans-thirteenThey’ve pulled together a great cast for Ocean’s Eight, which will reboot the Ocean’s Eleven franchise with a largely female cast. However, ET reveals that at least one member of the earlier cast will be showing up, with Matt Damon confirming he’s set to shoot a cameo.

He says,  “I’m doing a little bit in the movie. I haven’t read it yet, but the cast is phenomenal and I’m excited to see what those women do with it. It’s going to be fun.”

Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and Awkwafina will be the titular eight, who stage a complex heist centred on the annual New York Met Gala Ball. It’s also been reported that Bullock’s character is a relative of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean, but it’s not known if Clooney himself will be involved at all.

Hunger Games helmer Gary Ross should start shooting the movie either later this year or early next year in New York. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the Ocean’s 11 trilogy, will produce.

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Sarah Paulson In Talks For Ocean’s Eleven Spin-off

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sarah-paulsonJust as they pulled together a great cast for Ocean’s 11, they’re doing the same for the female-led spin-off, Ocean’s Ocho. Now it’s just gotten even better, with Variety reporting that Sarah Paulson is in talks to join the film.

Assuming she signs on the dottted line, she wil join Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina in the heist film.

Rumours suggest Bullock’s character may be Danny Ocean’s sister, but no plot details have been released. Hunger Games helmer Gary Ross should start shooting the movie either later this year or early next year, with filming believed to be taking place in New York. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the Ocean’s 11 trilogy, will produce.

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Carol (Cinema Review)

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carol-review-slideStarring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Running Time: 118 mins
BBFC Certificate: 15
UK Release Date: November 27th 2015 (UK)

Our Score

If Far From Heaven was Todd Haynes’ love letter to director Douglas Sirk, this is his tribute to painter Edward Hopper. Whatever the flaws of his film – more of which later – it is probably the best-looking movie of 2015. Meticulously reimagining the New York of the 1950s it has shot after shot of its protagonists exquisitely framed, gorgeously coloured and superbly dressed.

Several moments are worth pausing and gazing at for hours, especially one amazing shot of a grey, drab New York street lifted by the bright red coat and hat of the ethereal Cate Blanchett striding along. The interiors are gloomy, the exteriors washed out and tired-looking. Hopper would be impressed.

It received a standing ovation at Cannes and has been held back to coincide with Oscars season, during which it will probably clean up. However… [Read more…]

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