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Was Chris Tucker’s First Friday Audition Was A Disaster? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Chris Tucker almost fumbled the bag, big time. Before his breakout as Smokey in Friday, his first shot at the role was anything but smooth. In fact, casting director Kim Hardin didn’t sugarcoat it. “The first time he auditioned for me, he was horrible,” she recalled. Tucker was fresh off a comedy tour, unprepared, and hadn’t even read the script.

He didn’t know comedians could improvise during auditions, which caught him off guard. Most casting directors would’ve passed. As Hardin put it (via Complex), “Any other casting director may have been like, ‘You were horrible. Next!’” But she gave him another shot. And that second try? Pure fire.

Friday wasn’t just another comedy. It was Ice Cube and DJ Pooh’s response to movies like Boyz n the Hood. They wanted to...

Ice Cube's iconic Friday trilogy finds a new streaming home ahead of the hotly-anticipated fourth film in the franchise. All three movies are currently on Max.

The entire Friday trilogy is available for streaming on HBO's Max streaming service.Friday, Next Friday, and Friday After Next were all added to the Max streaming library on April 1, just a day before it was announced that a fourth Friday had officially entered development.

Co-written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, directed by F. Gary Gray, and produced by New Line Productions alongside Cube Vision, 1995's Friday starred Ice Cube as Craig Jones, a Los Angeles slacker whose life in South Central largely consists of peddling small amounts of weed with his friend Smokey, portrayed by Chris Tucker, and avoiding mooches and bullies like Anglea Means' Felicia and Tiny Lister Jr.'s Deebo.

The film also featured appearances from Hollywood icons such as Regina King,...

Craig and his Friday shenanigans are back as Ice Cube and New Line Cinema have finally closed a deal to bring one last Friday film to fans. Almost twenty years after the third installment of the comedy film series, Friday After Next, hit theaters, Last Friday is officially in the works. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, New Line's President and COO, Richard Brener, revealed that Ice Cube and the film/TV production company had just closed the deal and Cube would star and write the movie. It's news that many have been waiting for since 2002, hoping their favorite characters would get one last lap around the week and end up causing trouble on everyone's favorite day before the weekend.

Fans aren't the only ones who have been advocating for a fourth installment for almost two decades; Ice Cube has spoken out numerous times to get the ball...

Writer-director Francis Galluppi will soon battle Kandarian demons as the director for one of two upcoming Evil Dead films. Next month, his feature directorial debut, The Last Stop in Yuma County, heads to streaming.

Galluppi’s ultra-fun violent crime thriller heads to Paramount+ with Showtime on April 1, 2025.

In the film, “While awaiting the next fuel truck at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, a traveling young knife salesman is thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation by the arrival of two similarly stranded bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained, ill-begotten fortune.”

The Last Stop in Yuma County boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Richard Brake, Faizon Love, Alex Essoe, Michael Abbott Jr., Sierra McCormick, Nicholas Logan, Sam Huntington, Connor Paolo, Robin Bartlett, Jon Proudstar, Ryan Masson, Barbara Crampton, and Gene Jones.

It’s a solid, twisty, and funny film worth seeking out.

Written & directed by Francis Galluppi, “The Last Stop in Yuma County” is a crime thriller that unfolds almost entirely in a rural rest stop. It primarily follows a traveling salesman who finds himself and a local waitress taken hostage by a couple of bank robbers. The film follows their attempts at escaping this dreadful situation. Jim Cummings, known for his work in “Thunder Road,” stars as the unnamed salesman. Besides him, the film stars Jocelin Donahue (“Doctor Sleep”), Nicholas Logan (“Dark Winds”), Gene Jones (“No Country for Old Men”), Richard Brake, Michael Abbott Jr., Faizon Love, and Siera McCormick in important roles.

Spoilers Ahead

The Last Stop in Yuma County (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:

Francis Galluppi’s “The Last Stop in Yuma County” follows a hostage situation that happens at a remote Arizona rest stop. A traveling salesman and a local waitress get caught up in this trouble by two...

"Couples Retreat," the ensemble comedy that came out in 2009 and ended up becoming a box office success (but a critical flop), introduces us to four couples (obviously), all of whom are experiencing growing pains in their relationships ... and all of whom decide to try and mend fences with each other by traveling to a tropical paradise. After they discover a resort called Eden West that offers a group discount if one couple enlists three others to join, they decide to set out on an adventure together.

First, there's Dave and Ronnie (Vince Vaughn and Malin Åkerman), who live in the suburbs of Chicago and are having problems because Dave's busy work life leads to him generally disrespecting Ronnie and her needs. Meanwhile, Joey and Lucy (Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis) are high school sweethearts who are both worried that they missed out on life experiences by getting married and having...

Cruz Abelita, best known for playing Justin across three seasons on Lionsgate TV’s Step Up: High Water, has signed with Cesd for representation.

The dance drama was a small screen reboot of the popular Lionsgate film franchise. Step Up: High Watch, which followed the students and faculty of High Water, Atlanta’s most cutthroat performing arts school, ran for one season on Starz, before the next two seasons streamed on YouTube’s subscription service.

The series also starred Ne-Yo, Faizon Love, Eric Graise, Terayle Hill, Enrique Murciano and Tricia Helfer. The Lionsgate TV production, after consulting with the family of the late Naya Rivera, cast Christina Milian to replace Rivera in the scripted series after the Glee star died in a tragic accident after going boating with her young son.

The films’ original producers — Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot and Meredith Milton — all executive produced alongside original stars Channing Tatum...

As “One of Them Days” makes its run in theaters, marking the first time cinema has seen a Black female duo comedy since “B.A.P.S.,” TheWrap is listing the most iconic Black comedy duo films to watch after

They don’t come around often, but when Black comedy duo films do, they usually become beloved cult-followed flicks that everyone, but especially the Black community, can’t get enough of. Whether it’s notable hip-hop pairs teaming up, legendary comedians joining forces or the Wayans brothers giving us another cinematic gem, these matchups are hilarious, entertaining and just plain fun to watch.

Here are some more can’t-miss Black duo movies to get into after “One of Them Days.”

“Friday” (New Line Cinema) “The Friday” Franchise (1995)

When it comes to the ultimate Black duo, the first pair that comes to mind is Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker...

Actor Will Ferrell returns as one of his most beloved characters, Buddy the Elf, but sadly it’s not in a sequel. Instead, the Barbie star took the Christmas icon out into the real world, slipping into his yellow and green elf outfit while attending the LA Kings ice hockey game over the weekend. While fans will no doubt have sighed with disappointment that the return of Buddy is not in Elf 2, it will surely please everyone to see the elf looking grumpy, disheveled, and with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Which is not exactly how we imagined the cheerful elf after all these years.

It has now been more than 20 years since director Jon Favreau and writer David Berenbaum gave audiences a modern Christmas classic with Elf. Led by Will Ferrell alongside the likes of James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner and Bob Newhart, Elf tells the story of Buddy,...

With the holiday season in full swing, people are watching their favorite Christmas classics, like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street, Die Hard, and others. A more recent classic is Elf, the unexpected 2003 hit film starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau. It's a highly quotable movie and full of fun and memorable scenes. One was supposed to be a quick, one-liner moment that ended up becoming a fan favorite. But Favreau had to fight to keep the scene in after the producers wanted to cut it.

The scene in question is when Buddy Elf (Ferrell) is sent to the mailroom by his biological father, Walter (played memorably by James Caan) to essentially get out of the way. While there, Buddy meets the way-older-than-he-looks "Mailroom Guy," played by character actor Mark Acheson. The moment between Buddy and Mailroom Guy was supposed to be short, but it grew into a hilarious,...

It’s not the best streamer when it comes to Christmas movies, but there are some hidden gems.

Like many relatively new streaming services, Peacock doesn’t have nearly the library of holiday films as some of the larger, more established platforms. However, it is not completely bereft of quality options. While I wouldn’t recommend subscribing to the NBCUniversal streamer specifically for its Christmas offerings, if you already have a subscription there is small, but eclectically interesting, group of holiday movies you can stream to keep you merry and bright through the end of the year.

Both the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and the animated remake “The Grinch” are available on Peacock; they even have a Grinch-themed Yule Log channel that you can put on in the background if you want to make sure that your holiday parties have a little tinge of mischief in the air.

The camera finally settles behind Cj’s shoulders. We’re in an alley with a small bike leaning against a brick wall, maybe somewhere between Dre’s Compton and Snoop’s Long Beach. Samuel L. Jackson cackles as his police car drives off, leaving you in a rival hood.

There’s the Los Angeles that movies and television created — Chinatown, 90210, Boyz n the Hood. But not until Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was there the Los Angeles that games created. Released on October 26, 2004, San Andreas still seems as large and...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Netflix's Nobody Wants This.

Actor Kristen Bell is no stranger to romantic comedies, appearing in six movies and TV shows within the rom-com genre, each of which found varying degrees of success. Since her 1998 movie debut, Bell has grown in popularity, becoming a household name. Though shes shown herself capable of performing in any genre, shes especially skilled in comedy and has great chemistry with co-stars. These traits lend themselves well to romantic comedies.

Unsurprisingly, she's appeared in six different rom-coms five movies and one TV show. Critics generally dont respond well to genre films, so its not surprising that most of the critics dislike these movies and shows meant to fit within romantic comedy tropes. However, these projects have a pretty even divide when it comes to quality, entertainment value, writing, and acting all of which contribute to the overall success with audiences.

It’s been less than 24 hours since production wrapped on the 76th Emmy Awards, but Jesse Collins and his fellow executive producers are already on the go — specifically, to New Orleans. The team is flying to the Big Easy on Tuesday to scout the Superdome as they plan next February’s Super Bowl Lix halftime show, starring Kendrick Lamar.

“It’s our first time with the artist team,” notes Jesse Collins Entertainment prexy Dionne Harmon. “We’ve actually been a few times already in preparation, but since the announcement, it’s the first time Kendrick’s team and us will all come together.”

Adds Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, Jesse Collins Entertainment’s senior VP of specials, “There’s always something going on!” And she’s not wrong: Also on Monday, BET just announced that its annual BET Hip Hop Awards — which Collins, Harmon and Rouzan-Clay also exec produce — is making a big...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

The Gingerdead Man Blu-ray from Full Moon

The Gingerdead Man slices into Blu-ray on August 13 via Full Moon Features. The 2005 slasher has been newly remastered in high definition from the original elements. Pre-orders are live for only $17.51.

B-movie maven Charles Band directs from a script by Domonic Muir. Gary Busey stars as the titular killer cookie alongside Robin Sydney, Jonathan Chase, Alexia Aleman, Margaret Blye, James Snyder, and Larry Cedar.

Special features include: a behind the scenes featurette; blooper reel; and trailers.

Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Face from Living Dead Dolls

Entertainment Earth exclusively carries a limited edition version of Living Dead Dolls’ Ghost Face with a bloody, glow-in-the-dark mask.

The 10″ doll has 5 points of articulation and...

“The Last Stop in Yuma County” is a new crime thriller, written and directed by Francis Galluppi, starring Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormick, Faizon Love, Nicholas Logan and Michael Abbott Jr., available July 16, 2024 on Blu-ray:

“…while waiting for the next fuel truck at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, a traveling young knife salesman…

“…is thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation by the arrival of two similarlystranded bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty…

‘“…or cold, hard steel—to protect their fortune…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

When Peter Billingsley's comedy "Couples Retreat" was released in 2009, some critics argued that the title should serve as a warning. It only garnered a 10% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Peter Bradshaw from the Guardian saying that former Prime Minister of Cambodia, Pol Pot, could have written a warmer, funnier film.

The film follows four middle-aged couples on a retreat to a tropical resort called Eden where they mean to rekindle their respective flagging relationships. The couples are played by Vince Vaughn and Malin Åkerman, Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis, Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell, and Faizon Love and Kali Hawk. The cast was stacked, and the story interspersed run-of-the-mill midlife crises with limp attempts at slapstick. The film cost $60 million to make and netted $171 million worldwide, so it wasn't a bomb, but it also was dismissed and forgotten by the culture at large.

The most notable thing about...

Quick Links Some Guys Walk Into a Diner... Jim Cummings Is a Star

There's a trend brewing in Hollywood these days among promising indie filmmakers. Actually, it's been happening for decades, come to think of it, but two recent examples are worthy of note due to their sort of parallel journeys. First came actor-turned-filmmaker Zach Cregger, whose hit film Barbarian paved the way for a reportedly outrageous bidding war for his next project, an ensemble feature called Weapons. More recently, indie filmmaker Francis Galluppi, in his feature film directing debut, has been turning heads with his deliciously tense thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County, which has finally hit the masses this week. Its success thus far has surely led to his helming of an upcoming high-profile film installment in the timeless Evil Dead franchise.

A common denominator in both these cases, as the acclaimed character recently pointed out to...

Intense tension in the film builds steadily towards an unexpected climax. The film's ensemble cast shines, with storytelling that crafts a tense and engaging narrative in a single setting. Despite minor flaws, The Last Stop in Yuma County remains captivating, with an impressive debut effort.

Francis Galluppi's debut film, The Last Stop in Yuma County, is a gripping indie crime thriller that immediately grabs your attention and steadily intensifies throughout. While it slightly runs out of gas towards the end, it remains an enjoyable ride worth revisiting. The story follows a young knife salesman, played by Jim Cummings (The Beta Test), who finds himself stranded at a remote gas station while on his way to celebrate his daughter's birthday. As he waits for the fuel delivery in the adjoining diner, he befriends the waitress, Charlotte, portrayed by Jocelin Donahue (The House of the Devil).

8/10 ProsThe film is filled with...

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Warning: Spoilers for The Last Stop In Yuma County!

Jocelin Donahue and director Francis Galluppi worked closely to develop Charlotte's backstory, adding layers to her character's resilience and resourcefulness. Donahue was thrilled to reunite with Richard Brake on set, praising her scene partner's abilities and work ethic. Donahue pulled from her family history for Charlotte's costume, enhancing her character's essence for the film's unique setting.

Jocelin Donahue isn't the helpless hostage two gunmen think in crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County. Donahue has been a major player in the indie movie scene over the past 15 years since landing her first leading role in Ti West's acclaimed horror movie The House of the Devil, going on to star in the likes of Knight of Cups, Dead Awake, Holidays and I Trapped the Devil. Donahue has also lent her talents to more mainstream fare,...

The Last Stop in Yuma County has arrived!

A Western crime thriller with a a cup of Coen, a slice of Tarantino, and a side of Peckinpah/Lumet, the debut feature film of writer-director Francis Galluppi is as sharp as it is stunning. Starring Jim Cummings and a murderers row of talent, Yuma County is one this year’s best films and signals the arrival of a new voice.

To celebrate, Halloweenies executive producer and co-host Michael Roffman sits down with Galluppi and Cummings to discuss the making of the film. They also chew on the timeless quality of one-location movies, why we love a good freak out, the energy surrounding Galluppi’s new Evil Dead, and their favorite moral dilemma films.

Stream both conversations below and catch The Last Stop in Yuma County now in select theaters and/or on VOD.

Here’s the synopsis: “While awaiting the next...

The Last Stop In Yuma County Image: Well Go USA The Last Stop In Yuma County is about travelers waiting at a desolate diner for a delayed shipment of gasoline that will allow them to motor on their way. Before anyone can continue on their respective journeys, however, the movie...

The Last Stop In Yuma CountyImage: Well Go USA

The Last Stop In Yuma County is about travelers waiting at a desolate diner for a delayed shipment of gasoline that will allow them to motor on their way. Before anyone can continue on their respective journeys, however, the movie itself has some time-traveling to do,...

Writer-director Francis Galluppi will soon face off Kandarian demons by helming the next Evil Dead film. This week sees the release of his star-studded feature debut, The Last Stop in Yuma County. An original Western thriller in the vein of early Coen Brothers, the film arrives this Friday, May 10 from Well Go USA in select theaters and VOD.

In anticipation, Bloody Disgusting has an exclusive clip featuring stars Jocelin Donahue and Barbara Crampton. Watch below and find the trailer and poster art underneath.

Here’s the story: “While awaiting the next fuel truck at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, a traveling young knife salesman is thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation by the arrival of two similarly stranded bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained, ill-begotten fortune.”

Joining Donahue and Crampton is a who’s who of horror favorites: Jim Cummings,...

A roadside diner. Not just a place to see peeling upholstery and rodent traps, and indulge in the occasional sugary slice, but a genuine icon of Americana from Edward Hopper to “Frasier.” A diner is the great, anxiety-drenched stage where most of first-time feature director Francis Galluppi’s “The Last Stop in Yuma County” takes place, and, though this thriller is packed with memorable characters, the diner itself might be its greatest.

“The Petrified Forest” meets Tarantino and the Coen brothers, “The Last Stop in Yuma County” revels in its Americana like few films in recent memory. There’s an olive green Ford Pinto, Roy Orbison’s “Crying” played from a jukebox, a sheriff with ’70s sideburns, and, of course, a couple of bank robbers on the run. There’s the oafish Travis (Nicholas Logan), who inquires about the location of the facilities with a repeated “Where’s the shitter?...

Jim Cummings both stars in and executive produces The Last Stop in Yuma County, diving into a tense hostage situation. Cummings embraced the challenge of playing a cowardly character in the film and enjoyed the camaraderie with the cast members. Though drawn to directing, Cummings found acting in a project he didn't create to be liberating, acknowledging the challenges in indie filmmaking.

Acclaimed indie filmmaker Jim Cummings is stepping in front of the camera for the crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County. Since making his feature directorial debut with the movie adaptation of his Sundance award-winning short Thunder Road, Cummings has largely made a name for himself as a multihyphenate filmmaker, including writing and directing the acclaimed 2020 horror-comedy The Wolf of Snow Hollow and co-writing/co-directing the 2021 erotic thriller The Beta Test, on which he also was the editor.

With The Last Stop in Yuma County, Cummings is...

Richard Brake shines as a calm and calculating villain in The Last Stop in Yuma County. The movie's script captivated Brake similarly to his hit 2022 film Barbarian, keeping him engrossed as he read it like a novel. Brake loved working with Jocelin Donahue again and shared his emotions about Brad Dourif's retirement.

Richard Brake continues his terrifying villainous reign on screen with The Last Stop in Yuma County. Since making his breakout turns in Batman Begins as Wayne family killer Joe Chill and the 2005 Doom movie adaptation as Portman, the Welsh actor has steadily built an impressive filmography, largely comprised of antagonistic characters. Some of his more notable include Rob Zombie's 31, in which he starred as Doom-Head, Game of Thrones, in which he was the original Night King actor, and the breakout 2022 horror hit Barbarian.

In The Last Stop in Yuma County, Brake stars as Beau, a...

Francis Galluppi’s tense and darkly funny The Last Stop in Yuma County begins with an unnamed traveling knife salesman (Jim Cummings) rolling up at the titular Arizona rest stop, looking to fill his tank. The place is nothing more than a couple of gas pumps, a tiny motel, and an old-school diner, complete with red leather booths and an infinite supply of strong black coffee. Despite the locale’s humble appearance, it’s about to become the site of a thrilling showdown that finds a fascinating mix of misfit characters caught in the crossfire.

The attendant, Vernon (Faizon Love), gives our protagonist the bad news first: They don’t have a drop of gas left to sell and the next stop isn’t for a hundred miles. There’s no way the salesman’s car will make it that far, so he’s stuck here until the next delivery arrives.

“The Last Stop in Yuma County” is a new crime thriller, written and directed by Francis Galluppi, starring Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormick, Faizon Love, Nicholas Logan and Michael Abbott Jr., opening May 10, 2024 in theaters:

“…while waiting for the next fuel truck at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, a traveling young knife salesman…

“…is thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation by the arrival of two similarlystranded bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty…

‘“…or cold, hard steel—to protect their fortune…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Check out the brand new trailer for The Last Stop In Yuma County starring Jim Cummings.

While awaiting the next fuel truck at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, a traveling young knife salesman is thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation by the arrival of two similarly stranded bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained, ill-begotten fortune.

The cast includes Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormick, Nicholas Logan, Michael Abbott Jr., Connor Paolo, Alexandra Essoe, Robin Bartlett, Jon Proudstar, Sam Huntington, Ryan Masson, and Barbara Crampton, with Gene Jones, Faizon Love and Richard Brake.

Check out the fabulous Crampton in Jakob’s Wife playing on Shudder and see Cummings in The Wolf of Snow Hollow.

The film is helmed by Francis Galluppi, who previously wrote and directed several shorts including “The Gemini Project,” “High Desert Hell” and several music videos for the band Mt.

"I want some of that money!" Well Go USA has revealed an official trailer for the crime thriller titled The Last Stop in Yuma County, arriving in theaters to watch (and also on VOD at the same time) this May. This premiered at both genre festivals last fall - Sitges and Fantastic Fest, and it also played at Germany's Fantasy Filmfest earlier this year. While stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop, a traveling salesman is thrust into a dire hostage situation by the arrival of two bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained fortune. Talented actor / writer / filmmaker Jim Cummings stars as "The Knife Salesman", with an ensemble including Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormick, Nicholas Logan, Michael Abbott Jr., Alex Essoe, Robin Bartlett, Jon Proudstar, Sam Huntington, Faizon Love, Connor Paolo, Richard Brake, & Barbara Crampton. This seems a tad derivative, but the cast looks impressive,...

Film Mode is lining up talks at EFM this week on two genre titles after acquiring international sales on Sitges award winner The Last Stop In Yuma County and The Keeper.

Well Go USA holds North American rights to Francis Galluppi’s crime thriller The Last Stop In Yuma County. The feature centres on a travelling knife salesman stranded at an isolated rest stop when two fugitive bank robbers arrive.

The ensemble cast is led by Richard Brake (Barbarian), Jim Cummings (The Wolf Of Snow Hollow), Jocelin Donahue (The House Of The Devil), Sierra McCormick (The Vast Of Night), Nicholas Logan...

International and indie film distributor Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North American rights to western heist film “The Last Stop in Yuma County.”

The debut feature from writer-director Francis Galluppi bowed at Austin’s Fantastic Fest before heading to Sitges. XYZ Films and UTA are co-representing North American sales. The acquisition was negotiated by Brennan Lane on behalf of Well Go USA and by John McGrath (UTA) and Pip Ngo (XYZ) on behalf of the filmmakers.

The film follows a traveling knife salesman in 1980s Arizona. Stranded and forced to wait at a rural rest stop, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a violent hostage situation upon the arrival of two bank robbers who are on the run after a recent heist.

The cast is led by Jim Cummings (“The Wolf of Snow Hollow”), Jocelin Donahue (“The House of the Devil”), Sierra McCormick (“The Vast of Night...

Wesley Snipes, known for his action roles, is returning to comedy in Back on the Strip after successful comedic turns earlier in his career. Snipes' previous comedic roles include Major League, White Men Can't Jump, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Back on the Strip continues Snipes' recent trend of revisiting the comedy genre, following his acclaimed performances in Dolemite is My Name and Coming 2 America.

Wesley Snipes is returning to the world of comedy with Back on the Strip. The movie centers on a young magician who heads to Las Vegas in the hopes of making it as a professional performer, only to instead be drawn into the world of male stripping with veteran Luther, better known as Mr. Big, and helps to reunite his old group of dancers, The Chips. Alongside Snipes, who also co-produced the movie, the ensemble Back on the Strip cast includes Spence Moore II,...

Elf is a perennial Christmas favorite, due in large part to the whimsical performance of Will Ferrell as the naive yet endearing Buddy the Elf. What's not often discussed, though, is Elf's all-star supporting cast. While Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel, Amy Sedaris, Faizon Love, Peter Dinklage, Andy Richter, Kyle Glass, and even director Jon Favreau make for an impressive call sheet, it's James Caan's begrudging sentimentality that makes the film a cultural institution.

I don't remember the first time I watched "Elf." I do not think this is uncommon. Often, the most beloved Christmas movies are those that play on TV the most often, and "Elf" is certainly a cable staple. But that's not the real reason it's one of the best Christmas movies of all time. "Elf" is a magical mixture of earnestness and silliness, New York City and the North Pole, and a bunch of actors who give their massive talents to make a classic, eminently lovable film.

"Elf" was released 20 years ago, on Nov. 7, 2003. Directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum, it tells the story of Buddy the elf, who is in fact not an elf at all but a human. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, and it's one of his best performances. Ferrell often plays characters who aren't as smart as everyone else, but here, he does...

As Hollywood repeatedly evidences, it’s possible to have a talented cast, a big budget and every practical advantage, and yet turn out one dull, forgettable film after another. The one thing you can’t buy is vision, and a director with a clear vision who is able to bring it to life, even with modest means, will always make a bigger impression. The Last Stop In Yuma County tells a simple story but does so in an extraordinary way. It’s a film you won’t forget for a long, long time.

It begins simply enough, when a knife salesman (Jim Cummings) pulls in at a gas station on his way across country to see his daughter, Sarah. Unfortunately for him, the fuel truck is late and the station is all out, so its owner, Vernon (Faizon Love), an easy going guy who lives on site with his dog,...

Exclusive: UTA and Anonymous Content have signed filmmaker Francis Galluppi for representation in all areas, ahead of the world premiere of his debut feature, The Last Stop in Yuma County, at Fantastic Fest.

The crime thriller tells the story of an unassuming knife salesman (Jim Cummings) who unexpectedly finds himself trapped in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with two bank robbers at a remote rest stop. Jocelin Donahue, Richard Brake, Nicholas Logan, Faizon Love and more co-star in the pic, which is set to make its international premiere at Sitges Film Festival next month. UTA Independent Film Group is co-repping sales for the title alongside XYZ Films.

Based out of Los Angeles and renowned for his do-it-yourself approach, Galluppi regularly takes on multiple roles in his filmmaking process, serving as the writer, director, producer, editor, and occasionally the composer for all his projects. His second short film, the 2019 horror thriller High Desert Hell,...

Crime thriller “The Last Stop in Yuma County” has unveiled its first clip.

The debut feature from writer-director Francis Galluppi will bow at Austin’s Fantastic Fest before heading to Sitges. XYZ Films and UTA are co-representing North American sales.

The film follows a traveling knife salesman in 1980s Arizona. Stranded and forced to wait at a rural rest stop, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a violent hostage situation upon the arrival of two bank robbers who are on the run after a recent heist.

Written, directed, and produced by Galluppi, “The Last Stop in Yuma County” stars Jim Cummings (“Thunder Road), Jocelin Donahue (“The House of the Devil”), Richard Brake (“Mandy”), Nicholas Logan (“I Care a Lot”), Faizon Love (“Friday”), Michael Abbott Jr. (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) and Alex Essoe (“The Pope’s Exorcist”).

Rounding out the ensemble cast are Gene Jones (“No Country for Old Men...

Re-releases reliably dot the theatrical calendar and this week have a standout. Oldboy, the 2004 Cannes prize-winner, re-released by Neon on its 20th anniversary restored and remastered, grossed $235k on Wednesday and $150k Thursday — for a total cume $385k on 250 screens heading into the weekend.

San Francisco, NYC and LA, led by Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, are the top-performing cities so far for Park Chan-wook’s classic film — the first screening in U.S. theaters since its original North American release in 2005.

Oldboy follows Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-sik), who, after being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, is released but must find his captor in five days. The critically acclaimed film is the second installment of Park’s The Vengeance Trilogy, preceded by Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and followed by Lady Vengeance (2005). Oldboy won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It grossed $15 million worldwide, and saw...

There have been funny male stripper movies (The Full Monty), auteur-directed male stripper movies (Magic Mike), Black male stripper movies (three Chocolate City films). Now comes Back on the Strip, yet another attempt to wrest humor and drama from the spectacle of scantily clad men gyrating to audiences of wildly appreciative women. The independent film receiving a wide release definitely leans toward the funnier end of the spectrum, with its overqualified cast including many formidable comedic talents. But despite some amusing moments, it never really takes off, burdened by a tiresome romantic subplot that periodically stops the movie dead in its tracks.

The story revolves around Merlin (Spence Moore II), whose name stems from his lifelong desire to pursue a career as a magician. His supportive single mother Verna (Tiffany Haddish), who narrates the proceedings, encourages him in his dreams and roots for him when he makes an appearance at a local talent contest.

"It's time for you to get on stage, and do it your way!" Gvn Releasing is handling the US opening of this comedy titled Back on the Strip, made by writer / actor Chris Spencer. While it's not made explicity clear in the trailer, this seems like a spoof of the Magic Mike movies, with an old crew of male strippers coming back for a revival show in Las Vegas. "The Chocolate Chips" must get together again to help out a friend of theirs, a magician named Merlin, who is sent by his mom to Vegas to get his act together. The old crew features Wesley Snipes, Jb Smoove, Gary Owen, Bill Bellamy, and Faizon Love (the funniest one in this), along with Spence Moore II, Tiffany Haddish, and Raigan Harris. This looks like it has some good jokes and funny lines, but it also looks extremely cheesy, especially set in Vegas.

Elf is a perennial Christmas favorite, due in large part to the whimsical performance of Will Ferrell as the naive yet endearing Buddy the Elf. What's not often discussed, though, is Elf's all-star supporting cast. While Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel, Amy Sedaris, Faizon Love, Peter Dinklage, Andy Richter, Kyle Glass, and even director Jon Favreau make for an impressive call sheet, it's James Caan's begrudging sentimentality that makes the film a cultural institution.

Dawn Wilkinson, who has partly directed the third season of drama series ‘Step Up’, has shared that the show features stories which are socially relevant but at the same time, they are very entertaining and engage the audience on an emotional plane.

Commenting on the storyline of the show Dawn, who has directed five of the season’s ten episodes said: “I love the way the characters are written, and Holly (showrunner) has created storylines where there are parallels between the characters. The stories are socially relevant but still entertaining and that engages an audience; makes them want to watch and makes them feel for the characters.”

Based on the cult film, ‘Step Up’, this series follows the drama, scandalous romance, and rivalries told through the intersection of the worlds of music and dance within a highly sought-after performance empire.

“I’ve always felt like that is the best way of storytelling.

It looks like High Water is closed for good this time. Starz has cancelled the Step Up series, so there won't be a fourth season. The third season is currently airing on Sunday nights on the cable channel.

A dramatic series, the Step Up TV show (formerly titled Step Up: High Water) stars Rebbi Rosie, Keiynan Lonsdale, Enrique Murciano, Terayle Hill, Christina Milian, Ne-Yo, Faizon Love, Jade Chynoweth, Carlito Olivero, Terrence Green, Eric Graise, Tricia Helfer, Kendra Oyesanya. The drama follows the students and faculty of the prestigious and cutthroat High Water Performing Art School in Atlanta. It's a next-level incubator for new artistic talent, where danger, corruption, suspicions, desires, resentments, and ambitions collide in and out of the halls. High Water founder and megastar In season three, Sage Odom (Ne-Yo) faces criminal charges, financial ruin, and powerful...

Starz has canceled the “Step Up’ series after just one season on the network, Variety has confirmed.

Produced by Lionsgate TV, the first two seasons of the show were released on YouTube. Starz revived the show in 2020 after it was left in limbo when YouTube took a step back from producing original scripted content. At the time, news of the move seemed a sensible transition considering that Lionsgate is Starz’ parent company.

According to the series description, the musical drama followed the students and faculty of High Water, “an incubator for new artistic talent where founder Sage Odom (Ne-yo) and his partner Collette Jones (Christina Milian) struggle to maintain their empire.”

In Season 3, viewers witnessed Sage, Colette and their relationship challenged as they faced criminal charges, financial ruin, and powerful political enemies who wanted to destroy Sage and High Water. The Season 3 finale, which will now serve as the series finale,...

Step Up will not be returning for a fourth season on Starz.

Per Deadline, the series has been canceled after three seasons.

The news comes just ahead of its season finale, which is set to premiere next week.

Given how late in the game the cancellation came, there's a good chance there will be plenty of loose ends.

The series first started its life on YouTube, airing as a YouTube premium original for two seasons.

Inspired by the Step Up Lionsgate film franchise that grossed over 600 million at the worldwide box office, the series centers on Sage Odom (Ne-Yo) as the legendary founder of Atlanta’s famed High Water Performing Art School.

"Welcome to High Water – a next level incubator for new artistic talent, where danger, corruption, suspicions, desires, resentments, and ambitions collide in and out of the halls," the logline for Season 3 reads.

"High Water founder and megastar Sage Odom faces criminal charges,...

Step Up, which originally aired on YouTube Red (remember that?) before relocating to Starz, has been canceled after three seasons, TVLine has confirmed.

Inspired by the film franchise of the same name, the Step Up TV series was set at High Water, “a next level incubator for new artistic talent, where danger, corruption, suspicions, desires, resentments, and ambitions collide in and out of the halls,” per the show’s official description.

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“High Water founder and megastar Sage Odom faces criminal charges,...

Exclusive: There will be no fourth season of Step Up (fka Step Up: High Water). Starz has canceled the drama series after its one-season run on the network. The upcoming Season 3 finale, slated to premiere next week, serving as a series finale.

The first two seasons of the Lionsgate TV TV-produced Step Up ran on YouTube. After the Google-owned company in 2019 pulled out of the original scripted business, leaving the series in limbo, Lionsgate-owned Starz stepped in and picked it up for a third season.

The cancellation of Step Up follows Starz’s cancellation yesterday of another Lionsgate TV-produced series, Dangerous Liaisons, reversing its early Season 2 renewal.

Lionsgate has been scrutinizing its balance sheets as the company is preparing to spin off its studio from Starz next year though sources indicated that the cancellations are largely product of fiscal austerity in a very tough economic environment as media companies are stepping up cost-cutting measures.

Genre regulars Jocelin Donahue and Richard Brake have both been cast in the thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County, which marks the feature debut for writer/director Francis Galluppi. Set in 1980s Arizona, the film will tell the story of

a traveling knife salesman. Stranded and forced to wait at a rural rest stop, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a violent hostage situation upon the arrival of two bank robbers who are on the run after a recent heist.

Donahue and Brake were previously both in the cast of the horror movie Offseason.

Jim Cummings (Thunder Road) will be playing the traveling knife salesman. Also in the cast are Faizon Love (Elf), Michael Abbott Jr. (The Death of Dick Long), Nicholas Logan (I Care a Lot), Alex Essoe (Starry Eyes), Sierra McCormick (American Horror Stories), Jon Proudstar (Reservation Dogs), Connor Paolo (Stake Land), Robin Bartlett (Shutter Island...