by admin | Sep 25, 2025 | Articles, Moviephone Articles
June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Opening in theaters September 26 is ‘Eleanor the Great,’ directed by Scarlett Johansson and starring June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Will Price, and Rita Zohar.
Related Article: 20 Best Movies of Scarlett Johansson’s Career Ranked from Worst to Best
Initial Thoughts
(L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Rita Zohar as Bessie in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Like many actors before her, Scarlett Johansson moves from in front of the camera to behind it for her directorial debut, ‘Eleanor the Great.’ And there is talent there: Johansson’s direction is mostly unfussy and she largely stays out of her own way in laying out this intimate comedy-drama.
She’s also aided immensely by another tremendous performance from 95-year-old June Squibb, who’s as irascible and steadfast as she was in her knockout 2024 starring vehicle, ‘Thelma.’ But both the director and her leading lady are let down in part by a script that makes a fatal Hollywood mistake – and all in service about what is occasionally a profound story of loss and remembrance, told in the shadow of the Holocaust but dangerously coming close to undermining it.
Story and Direction
Scarlett Johansson, June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Eleanor Morgenstern (June Squibb), 94 years old, is widowed yet living contentedly in Florida with her best friend, Bessie (Rita Zohar). But an abrupt change in circumstances forces Eleanor to move to New York City, where she initially moves in with her daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) and her grandson (Will Price), a scenario with which no one is particularly comfortable.
Feeling adrift and distant from her family, Eleanor wanders into a support group for Holocaust survivors – and begins to tell the story of Bessie, herself a survivor who never shared her experience with anyone but Eleanor, as if it was her own. She attracts the attention of a young journalism student named Nina (Erin Kellyman), who is making a film about the survivors, and soon becomes a friend and mentor to Nina and even meets her father, a local New York news anchor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) – all while her ill-conceived lie takes on a life of its own.
Scarlett Johansson on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
And that is where Tory Kamen’s script goes wrong: in pretending to have lived Bessie’s life, Eleanor creates a terrible problem that didn’t need to happen. She could easily walk into that survivors’ group, apologize for being in the wrong room, but still offer to talk about her friend Bessie – and perhaps even be welcomed. There’s another version of this movie in which she does that. But her mistake – lying that she herself is the survivor — feels less organic than contrived for the purposes of making this movie, which gives the movie an air of being deliberately manipulative even as it struggles with its tone.
That’s not to say that Johansson and her actors don’t get a number of good moments out of this material. They do, particularly in Eleanor and Bessie’s early scenes together, and later when Eleanor is desperate to salvage the relationships she fosters in New York. The film does also have some poignant meditations on grief and the role of family, and it’s also a nicely realized New York City movie in a year that’s seen some good ones already. But the seriousness of Eleanor’s mistake, and the needlessness of it, clashes with both the darkness of Bessie’s story and the more lighthearted aspects of the film.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Jojo Whilden. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
The cast here is quite strong – and Johansson adds a note of real gravitas by casting real survivors as part of the support group – but this is June Squibb’s show all the way. Despite the script’s problems, which threaten our empathy with Eleanor, Squibb overcomes that with her wit, her candor, and her mix of compassion, heartbreak, and stubbornness, giving this actor another impressive notch in her incredible career renaissance.
Ejiofor and Hecht are good in somewhat underwritten roles, but the other standout is Erin Kellyman as Nina, who is dealing with her own sense of loss and trying to find her way in the world as a young woman. Her intelligence and charisma shine through.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
We’ll certainly give Scarlett Johansson kudos for tackling difficult material as a first-time director, and for the inarguable decision to cast June Squibb. But the weight of the subject matter is at odds with the film’s overall tone and aesthetic, plus there are other aspects of the story – like whether Eleanor can rightly be left on her own – that are glossed over. ‘Eleanor the Great’ has its moments, and might even produce some laughs or a lump in the throat, but great it’s not.
‘Eleanor the Great’ receives a score of 65 out of 100.
June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
What is the plot of ‘Eleanor the Great’?
Witty and troublesome 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein moves from Florida to New York City following a devastating loss. She soon tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own, while befriending a 19-year-old journalism student.
Who is in the cast of ‘Eleanor the Great’?
- June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstein
- Erin Kellyman as Nina
- Jessica Hecht as Lisa
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger
- Rita Zohar as Bessie
- Will Price as Max
(L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
List of Scarlett Johansson Movies:
Buy Tickets: ‘Eleanor the Great’ Movie ShowtimesBuy Scarlett Johansson Movies on Amazon
by admin | Sep 22, 2025 | Articles, Moviephone Articles
(L to R): Alexei Shostakov/ Red Guardian (voiced by David Harbour), Yelena Belova (voiced by Florence Pugh), Kamala Khan (voiced by Iman Vellani) and Blade Knight (voiced by Todd Williams) in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo: Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
Landing on Disney+ on September 24th is the new Marvel Animation limited series ‘Marvel Zombies’, which spins off from the zombie-filled episode of ‘What If…?’ and loosely adapts the comic book run.
“Who will save us from our heroes?”
Created by Zeb Wells (who serves as head writer and showrunner) and director Bryan Andrews, ‘Marvel Zombies’ features the voices of Iman Vellani (‘The Marvels’), Elizabeth Olsen (‘Avengers: Infinity War’), Florence Pugh (‘Thunderbolts*’), David Harbour (‘Black Widow’), Simu Liu (‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’) Kari Wahlgren, Awkwafina (‘Crazy Rich Asians’) and Dominique Thorne (‘Ironheart’).
Related Article: TV Review: ‘What If…?’ Season 3
Initial Thoughts
Blade Knight (voiced by Todd WIlliams) in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’. exclusively on Disney+. Photo: Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
While Marvel’s Disney+ output has been somewhat hit-and-miss, the Marvel Animation team has been enjoying much more success, and ‘Marvel Zombies’ certainly counts as one of those.
It may not be perfect, but it’s certainly a lot of gory, darkly-hued entertainment.
Script and Direction
Caption (Center): Zombie Okoye (voiced by Kenna Ramsey) in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo: Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
Zeb Wells has enjoyed unusual power in the Marvel world, overseeing much of the animated output, but with good reason –– he and his writing team have crafted sharp, clever takes on the MCU, with ‘Zombies’ as no exception.
It’s not for the faint of heart and certainly dives into some dark areas (don’t get attached to all the characters, even some well-known ones), but it delivers the Young Avengers action many have been waiting for on the big screen, albeit in bite-sized chunks.
Bryan Andrews’ direction is also solid. Though the animation might not be the most advanced, it’s certainly stylish enough and gets the job done.
Cast and Performances
Zombie Captain America in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo: of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
Featuring the usual mix of MCU veteran performers and some talented voice types who imitate others, this is a great showcase particularly for the infectious enthusiasm of Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan and the usual great work of Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. Kudos also to Simu Liu, whose Shang-Chi really goes through it in this story, and to Todd Williams, who voices a very different version of Blade from any we’ve seen before.
Final Thoughts
(L-R): Kamala Khan (voiced by Iman Vellani), Blade Knight (voiced by Todd Williams), Alexei Shostakov/ Red Guardian (voiced by David Harbour) and Yelena Belova (voiced by Florence Pugh) in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo: Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
‘Marvel Zombies’ is by turns full of action and drama, some impressive set-pieces and ideas, and emotionally fun performances from MCU actors and others.
It’s funny despite the post-apocalyptic storyline, and with just four episodes, doesn’t outstay its welcome.
‘Marvel Zombies’ receives 80 out of 100.
Zombie Thanos in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2024 MARVEL.
What’s the plot of ‘Marvel Zombies’?
After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discover the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world.
Who stars in ‘Marvel Zombies’?
Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff
David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov
Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
Awkwafina as Katy Chen
Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop
Randall Park as Jimmy Woo
Todd Williams as Blade Knight
(Center): Zombie Okoye (voiced by Kenna Ramsey) in Marvel Television’s ‘Marvel Zombies’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
List of MCU TV Series:
Buy MCU Movies On Amazon
by admin | Sep 21, 2025 | Hollywood Reporter News, News
Anime hit Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – the Movie Infinity Castle is the champion of this weekend’s box office, topping the Jordan Peele-produced Him for no. 1.
Demon Slayer, which set a record $70 million U.S. opening last weekend, is looking to bring in $17.3 million this weekend, a tumble of 77 percent but enough for a victory. Him, from Universal and Peele’s Monkeypaw, is projected to end the weekend with $13.5 million, down from earlier estimates of $15 million.
Demon Slayer hails from the Sony-owned Crunchyroll, and is already a global smash. It now stands as the top-grossing anime movie of all time globally, with more than $555 million.
But the weekend brought bad news from other corners of the Sony empire, with the high-profile Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell romantic fantasy A Big Bold Beautiful Journey bombing with a projected $3.5 million, sixth-place finish. Journey centers on a man and a woman who relive key moments from their lives. The feature is Robbie’s first starring role since Barbie became a phenomenon two years ago and helped revive the box office. The film earned a B- CinemaScore from audiences and tepid reviews. Kogonada directed the Blacklist script by Seth Reiss.
Him likewise earned mediocre reviews. It stars Tyriq Withers as a top NFL quarterback prospect whose career is upended when he is blind sided by an attacker and suffers brain trauma. He finds a potential way back to greatness in the form of Marlon Wayans’ GOAT quarterback, who offers to train him at his private compound. The psychological horror movie hails from director Justin Tipping and received a C- CinemaScore from audiences.
Rounding out the top five are New Line’s The Conjuring: The Last Rites, now in its third weekend and expected to earn $12.1 million; Lionsgate’s The Long Walk, with $6.3 million; and Focus’ Downton Abbey: The Finale, with $6 million.
Sept. 21, 8:13 a.m. Updated with revised estimates.
This story was originally published on Sept. 20 at 8:10 a.m.
by admin | Sep 20, 2025 | Articles, Moviephone Articles
(L to R): Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in ‘Plainclothes’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
In theaters via Magnet Releasing on September 19th is ‘Plainclothes’, a dramatic thriller that explores one man’s conflicting ties to duty and desire that threaten to tear him apart.
Written and directed by Carmen Emmi (‘The Ultimate Evil’), ‘Plainclothes’ stars Tom Blyth (‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’), Russell Tovey (‘Years and Years’), Maria Dizzia (‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’), Amy Forsyth (‘Hell Fest’) and John Bedford Lloyd (‘The Bourne Supremacy’).
Related Article: Tom Blyth Talks ‘Billy the Kid’ Season 2 Part 2 and Making a Western
Initial Thoughts
(L to R): Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in ‘Plainclothes’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
Movies with an LGBTQ+ vantage point, particularly those dealing with characters who struggle with their sexuality, are tough to get right. There is a tendency towards histrionics or hyper-focusing on certain details.
With ‘Plainclothes’, writer-director Carmen Emmi largely delivers.
Script and Direction
(L to R): Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in ‘Plainclothes’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
Emmi, making the leap from short films and TV work to features with this assured, carefully crafted debut, has created several excellent, heartfelt and authentic central roles that provide solid source material via a committed cast.
If he sometimes lets his stylistic side swamp the storytelling with flashbacks in various footage formats to indicate time periods, it doesn’t ultimately detract from the full impact of the movie.
Cast and Performances
(L to R): Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in ‘Plainclothes’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
The highlights here are Brits Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey, who not only deliver nuance and honest emotion, but do so while both offering convincing American accents. Blyth in particular draws you into his character’s world, whether he’s working sting operations on gay men in mall toilets or dealing with the complex, twisty dynamics of his family.
And the supporting cast, from the other cops in the department to that aforementioned family, certainly do good work bringing smaller, but vital, roles to life.
Final Thoughts
Russell Tovey in ‘Plainclothes’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
Side-stepping many of the cliché traps possible in a story such as this, ‘Plainclothes’ delivers with low-fi filming and superb central performances.
Emmi establishes himself as a director to watch in the coming years.
‘Plainclothes’ receives 75 out of 100.
What’s the story of ‘Plainclothes?
At his mother’s New Year’s Eve party Lucas (Tom Blyth), a young police officer, loses a letter no one was ever meant to read. Amid the backdrop of the suffocating family party, the search for the letter unlocks memories of a past he’s tried to forget: months earlier, while working undercover in a mall bathroom, Lucas arrested men by seducing them.
But when he encounters Andrew (Russell Tovey), everything changes. What begins as another setup becomes something far more electric and intimate. As their secret connection deepens and police pressure to deliver arrests intensifies, Lucas finds himself torn between duty and desire.
Who is in the cast of ‘Plainclothes’?
Theatrical one-sheet for ‘Plainclothes’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Movies and TV Shows Featuring Tom Blyth:
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by admin | Sep 19, 2025 | Articles, Moviephone Articles
Sir Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses’ premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Landing on Apple TV+ on September 24th with the first episode (five more follow at the rate of one per week) is the fifth season of ‘Slow Horses’, which draws from Mick Herron’s source novel ‘London Rules’.
“Drinker. Thinker. Rebel. Spy.”
With regular showrunner Will Smith (‘The Thick of It’) back overseeing the show, the cast includes regulars Gary Oldman (‘Darkest Hour’), Jack Lowden (‘Dunkirk’), Kristin Scott Thomas (‘The English Patient’), Rosalind Eleazar (‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’), Saskia Reeves (‘Luther’) and Christopher Chung (‘Waterloo Road’) joined by Nick Mohammed (‘Ted Lasso’) for this season.
Related Article: TV Review: ‘Slow Horses’ Season 4
Initial Thoughts
(L to R): Kristin Scott Thomas and James Callis in ‘Slow Horses’, premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Proving itself to be something of a slow-burn sensation, ‘Slow Horses’ has been gaining in pop cultural awareness and adulation across the last couple of years, with awards coming its way and more promotion.
There are, naturally, more eyes on Season 5 than ever before (even if the running joke is that Apple has excellent shows precious few people watch or know about beyond the megahit ‘Severance’), and thankfully, it is more than deserving of the attention.
Script and Direction
Nick Mohammed in ‘Slow Horses’, premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Smith and his writers continue to mine Mick Herron’s book series for comic brilliance and suitably twisty spy tales. This season’s story, set as a mayoral election grips London and shocking violence roils the capital, is loaded down with trademark quips and naturally great roles for its main cast.
There is, in fact, even more focus on the denizens of Slough House than ever this year, and it really works.
Returning director Saul Metzstein, has a clear eye for how the show works visually, and if it’s lighter on action compared to other shows, that’s not the real focus here.
Cast and Performances
Christopher Chung in ‘Slow Horses’, premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Oldman continues to prove he’s the perfect Jackson Lamb (there is a joke about penguins and Batman that is so perfectly delivered, it might make you pause the show from laughing), and as usual he anchors the ensemble.
But everyone is on their A-game here, with a welcome boost of screen time for Christopher Chung as arrogant, nerdy tech expert Roddy Ho. While he’s the sort of character you usually prefer in small doses, Chung makes him likeable enough that it works to have him enjoy more of a spotlight.
Final Thoughts
(L to R): Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Saskia Reeves, Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Jack Lowden in ‘Slow Horses’, premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
‘Slow Horses’ remains one of the best shows on TV –– streaming or otherwise –– and Season Five is just more proof of why. Perfectly pitched in terms of tone and character, it’s a sweary, funny treat.
‘Slow Horses’ Season 5 receives 87 out of 100.
(L to R): Kristin Scott Thomas and Sir Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses,’ premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
What’s the plot of ‘Slow Horses’ Season 5?
In Season Five, everyone is suspicious when resident tech nerd Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung) has a glamorous new girlfriend, but when a series of increasingly bizarre events occur across the city, it falls to the Slow Horses to work out how everything is connected.
After all, Lamb (Gary Oldman) knows that in the world of espionage, the London Rules – cover your back – always apply.
Sir Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses’, premiering September 24, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Who stars in ‘Slow Horses’ Season 5?
- Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb
- Jack Lowden as River Cartwright
- Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
- Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho
- Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy
- Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish
- Nick Mohammed as Zafar Jaffrey
Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses’ season 4 now streaming on Apple TV+.
Movies Similar to ‘Slow Horses’:
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