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Novocaine is a romantic action comedy film co-directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen from a screenplay by Lars Jacobson. The 2025 film follows Nathan Caine, a young bank manager with a rare disease that allows him to feel no pain. When his girlfriend is kidnapped during a bank robbery, he decides to chase the robbers to get his girlfriend back and use his ability in his favor for once. Novocaine stars Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, and Jacob Batalon. So, if you loved the insane action, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in Novocaine, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (Netflix) Credit – RSVP Movies

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota is an Indian romantic action comedy film written and directed by Vasan Bala. The 2018 film follows Surya,...

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Love Hurts is an action comedy film directed by Jonathan Eusebio from a screenplay co-written by Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard, and Luke Passmore. The 2025 film follows Marvin Gable, a former hitman turned realtor who must get his hands bloody once again when his past catches up to him. Love Hurts stars Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lip Tipton, and Rhys Darby. So, if you loved the thrilling action, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in Love Hurts, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Nobody (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Universal Pictures

Nobody is an action thriller film directed by Ilya Naishuller from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad. The 2021 film follows Hutch Mansell, a mild-mannered family man with a violent past as a government assassin. A break-in into his...

Anthony Hopkins is among the Los Angeles area residents who lost their homes to the Palisades Fire, a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

THR has learned that Hopkins and his wife owned two houses in the Palisades, both of which have burned down.

In photos obtained by People magazine, the Pacific Palisades home of the Welsh actor can also be seen burned to the ground with only concrete pillars still standing and a stone pathway at the property.

This is not the first time the actor has endured a property loss due to flames. In 2000, the Oscar winner reportedly lost a home in London to a fire. Meanwhile, in 2018 his Pacific Palisades home narrowly escaped the Woolsey Fire, according to TMZ. The outlet also reported that the actor has been in the U.K. this week.

Hopkins is one of the myriad Hollywood stars who have tragically lost their homes.

Despite the widespread devastation to homes and businesses across the Southland, central production hubs in Los Angeles appear to remain unscathed from the historic destruction caused by wildfires in the region.

Not included in the 5,000-plus structures that have been ravaged by the blazes are major soundstages that host the majority of TV and movie shoots in Los Angeles. Most production in the area has been suspended but is expected to return.

While some of those soundstages were threatened by the Sunset Fire, which triggered mandatory evacuation orders in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, that blaze is subsiding as firefighters made big gains overnight pushing it back. If the fire continued unabated, it could’ve approached critical production facilities, including Radford Studio Center and Sunset Gower Studios, as well as iconic Hollywood locations such as Tcl Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

To the west,...

“Luke Skywalker” Mark Hamill is among the people who have evacuated Malibu amid the fires raging across parts of L.A. The Star Wars actor shared on Instagram how he and his family left their home amid the spreading fire.

Starting in Pacific Palisades, the fires have overnight also hit parts of Malibu and Santa Monica.

“7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached Pch,” Hamill posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday night. The Pch is the Pacific Coast Highway.

At 8:15 p.m., Hamilton, wife Marilou York, and their dog Trixie arrived at their daughter “Chelsea’s house in Hollywood,” he added. “Most horrific fire since ’93,” he concluded, expressing hope that other people would also “stay safe.”

Other Hollywood stars have also spoken out about the blaze and its impact. Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, as well as...

The Palisades Fire has engulfed Palisades Charter High School, a school that has long been a popular location for Hollywood productions.

NBC Los Angeles reported on Tuesday night that the fire spread through several structures at the Pchs campus, and had all but destroyed the adjacent Theater Palisades.

Earlier in the day, Pchs posted a note on its website that the school was closed due to the Palisades Fire.

As the fires continued to rage, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and nearly 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.

Pchs is a popular location for Hollywood productions. The school has featured prominently in films, most notably Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, where it was dubbed Bates High School in the movie. The school also featured heavily in Danny Steinmann’s 1984 teen vigilante movie Savage Streets, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, the Teen Wolf TV series,...

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart's second movie together, American Ultra, premiered six years after the duo's inaugural movie — and it's the complete opposite of 2009's Adventureland. Their earlier work affords a bittersweet, iconic coming-of-age movie bursting with romance. Whereas American Ultra presents a fast-paced action story and follows the antics of its titular characters, Mike and Phoebe, presenting a more lenient depiction of a love story. American Ultra was deemed a box office failure, but the film offers plenty of engaging performances and thrilling action sequences throughout its 95-minute length, which makes it thoroughly entertaining.

Written by Max Landis, the movie is a unique spy thriller with action reminiscent of the Kingsman franchise. It's not difficult to understand why American Ultra has gained a small cult following since its release, especially given that the film has attracted greater attention in recent years. Adventureland is regularly ranked as one of Jesse Eisenberg's best roles,...

Quick Links What Was The Gentlemen Season 1 About? What Could The Gentlemen Season 2 Be About? Who Will Be Starring in The Gentlemen Season 2? Who Will Be Directing The Gentlemen Season 2? Could The Gentlemen Season 2 Crossover with The Movie?

While not all of Guy Ritchie's movies are to every action fan's liking, they do have a strong fanbase. They enjoy how Ritchie brings the British gangster to life in big ways. The Gentlemen was another high concept that focused on the corruption and sneaky deals that constitute the weed trade in England.

Netflix extended that 2019 movie into a series that detailed other empires in this same business. It had the energy of The Sopranos, Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy, with many different parties jostling for power in the market. With the second season having been green-lit, here is a breakdown of everything fans need to know about the series and its possible direction.

Incoming is a teen comedy film written and directed by Dave and John Chernin. The Netflix film follows the story of four teen friends as they go to their first high school party, which turns out to be one of the most memorable nights of their lives. Incoming stars Mason Thames, Raphael Alejandro, Bardia Seiri, Ramon Reed, Bobby Cannavale, Kaitlin Olson, Isabella Ferreira, and Ali Gallo. So, if you loved the carefree vibes, hilarious comedy, and the insane story in Incoming here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Project X (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Warner Bros.

Project X is a found-footage teen comedy film directed by Nima Nourizadeh from a screenplay co-written by Matt Drake and Michael Bacall. The 2012 film follows the story of three high school seniors who decide to throw a party to gain popularity amongst their peers but their plans to throw a...

Jackpot! is an action comedy film directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Rob Yescombe. The Prime Video film is set in the near future in California and it follows the story of Katie, a struggling actress who wins the lottery but according to the law, anyone with a losing ticket is allowed to kill the winner and take the winnings. To survive Katie teams up with Noel, an amateur lottery protection agent. Jackpot! stars Awkwafina and John Cena in the lead roles with Simu Liu, Donald Elise Watkins, Sam Asghari, Colson Baker, and Marian Green starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the action, unique plot, and comedic moments in Jackpot! here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Self Reliance (Hulu) Credit – Hulu

Self Reliance is a dark comedy thriller film written and directed by Jake Johnson. The 2023 film follows the story of Tommy,...

Get ready for another go-around with the Guy Ritchie series, The Gentlemen. Variety has reported that the Netflix series has been renewed for season 2. In his review for season one, our own Alex Maidy said, “The Gentlemen series feels like a reimagining of the film. The story hits some vaguely similar notes but the vast majority is completely different. […] This is a unique reimagining of a successful story that takes it in a different direction and sets up future seasons.”

Netflix U.K.’s VP spoke ecstatically about the show’s successful first season, “With its gun-toting chickens and drug-dealing Dukes, The Gentlemen was a huge hit with audiences in 2024. Not really a surprise as Guy Ritchie remains one of the industry’s most iconic creators telling authentically British stories with his signature swagger, grit and wit. We are thrilled the series will be returning to Netflix for a second season,...

Enter the fast and turbulent world of underground crime in the new trailer from the Netflix original series The Gentlemen. The new show is inspired by Guy Ritchie‘s film of the same name. The trailer sees an unsuspecting chap get in over his head as he unintentionally becomes involved with his family’s drug dealings. This new peek at the series showcases the signature aggressive manic style of Guy Ritchie’s gangster films. Ritchie himself is wearing multiple hats behind the scenes as the creator, writer, and executive producer. He has also directed the first two episodes of the series. The show was also previously known to premiere sometime next month, but we now have a release date as Netflix announced the premiere will be on March 7.

The official logline from Netflix reads,

“The Gentlemen sees Eddie Horniman (Theo James) unexpectedly inherit his father’s sizable country estate – only...

Theo James as Eddie Horniman in ‘The Gentlemen’ (Photo Credit: Christopher Rafael/Netflix)

Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen series, set in the same world as his 2020 The Gentleman film, will premiere on Netflix on March 7, 2024. Ritchie created the series, writes, directs, and executive produces the eight-episode season starring Theo James.

Joining Theo James are Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito, Chanel Cresswell, Michael Vu, and Max Beesley. Jasmine Blackborow, Harry Goodwins, Dar Salim, Pearce Quigley, Ruby Sear, Peter Serafinowicz, Ray Winstone, and Guz Khan also star.

Ritchie’s co-writers include Matthew Read, Haleema Mirza, Billy and Theo Mason Wood, Stuart Carolan, and John Jackson. Nima Nourizadeh, Eran Creevy, and David Caffrey serve as directors.

“The Gentlemen sees Eddie Horniman (Theo James) unexpectedly inherit his father’s sizable country estate – only to discover it’s part of a cannabis empire. Moreover, a host of unsavory characters from...

Miguel Wants to Fight is a comedy film directed by Oz Rodriguez. The Hulu original film is set in a neighborhood where fighting and violence are at every corner despite that our protagonist Miguel has never been a part one. Miguel Wants to Fight stars Tyler Dean Flores, Raul Castillo, Imani Lewis, Suraj Partha, and Jordyn Owens. So, if you loved the Hulu film here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Big Time Adolescence (Hulu) Credit – Hulu

Synopsis: A seemingly bright and mostly innocent 16-year-old named Mo (Griffin Gluck) attempts to navigate high school under the guidance of his best friend Zeke (Pete Davidson), an unmotivated-yet-charismatic college dropoout. Although Zeke genuinely cares about Mo, thing start to go awry as he teaches Mo nontraditional life lessons in drug dealing, partying, and dating. Meanwhile, Mo’s well-meaning dad (Jon Cryer) tries to step in and take back the reins of his son’s upbringing.

For fans of action TV and martial arts cinema, "Gangs of London" is one of the greatest series of the modern era. Created by Matt Flannery and "The Raid" director Gareth Evans, series director Corin Hardy has crafted a high-octane gangland thriller with the kind of stunts you don't typically see on TV. Season 1 ended with the series' mysterious Investors achieving apparent victory in their efforts to eliminate Sean Wallace (Joe Cole), replace him as head of the Wallace Organization, and get back to business as usual. Meanwhile, undercover cop Elliot (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù) finds himself in a bind that only changing alliances can solve. Now working for the villainous Investors, Elliot has to get himself free from their grasp.

In a wide-ranging interview, I spoke with Corin Hardy and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù about the show's second season. We discussed the origins of that major opening surprises, the final episodes' most intense action sequences,...

With filming now underway on season 2 of the highly acclaimed Sky series ‘Gangs of London’ a line-up of fresh new faces to join the cast have been announced.

Joining the cast of series one, which include Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Michelle Fairley, Brian Vernel, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Lucian Msamati, Paapa Essiedu, Valene Kane, Orli Shuk, Narges Rashidi and Asif Raza are Waleed Zuaiter (Baghdad Central, The Spy), French rapper Jasmine Armando in her first TV role, Salem Kali, Aymen Hamdouchi and Fady El-Sayed (Baghdad Central, A Private War).

Season 2 is set one year after the tumultuous events of series one, since the collapse of the Wallace Dumani empire, order is lacking, and the energy and chaos of a gold rush threaten the city with gangland anarchy. The Investors are viewing the city as a place of ruin and decide enough is enough. Licensing a new gang to restore stability, drama instead ensues. These...

Gangs of London’s second season is currently shooting ahead of its return to Sky and AMC next year.

Production got underway on the eight-part mob drama three weeks ago, with Pulse Films producing in association with Sister. No news yet though on whether Joe Cole will reprise his role as Sean Wallace after Season 1’s cliffhanger ending.

Returning cast includes Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Michelle Fairley, Brian Vernel, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Lucian Msamati, Paapa Essiedu, Valene Kane, Orli Shuka, Asif Raza, and Narges Rashid. New cast includes Baghdad Central star Waleed Zuaiter, as previously revealed by Deadline.

French rapper Jasmine Armando in her first TV role, Salem Kali (Un Prophete), Aymen Hamdouchi (Sas: Red Notice) and Fady El-Sayed (Baghdad Central) have also joined the gangland drama series.

Created by Gareth Evans and his creative partner Matt Flannery, Season 2 is set a year after the events of the first season. Since the collapse of the Wallace Dumani empire,...

Sky has confirmed directors on the second season of its crime series Gangs Of London. Corin Hardy, who directed four episodes on season one, will return for another quartet this time out and will be joined by Marcela Said (Lupin) and Nima Nourizadeh (Little America) who return for two apiece.

Creator Gareth Evans and his creative partner Matt Flannery will return as Executive Producers alongside Pulse Films’ Thomas Benski. Tom Butterworth has taken on the role of lead writer and executive producer overseeing four out of the eight episodes and leading the writer’s room. Additional Executive Producers include Hugh Warren and Helen Grégory for Pulse Films, Jane Featherstone for Sister, and Gabriel Silver for Sky Studios.

Production is set to begin imminently. The show is produced by Pulse Films in association with Sister, for Sky Studios and AMC. Series two will transmit on Sky Atlantic and Now in the...

Sky has announced that ‘Gangs of London’ director Corin Hardy will return for season 2 to take on the role of lead director and executive producer.

Hardy will helm four episodes for the second series while the rest of the directorial duties will upon acclaimed television directors Marcela Said (Lupin, Narcos Mexico) and Nima Nourizadeh (Little America (TV), American Ultra) who have also signed on to direct two episodes each.

The critically acclaimed and BAFTA-nominated first series became the biggest Sky Original drama launch on Sky Atlantic of the past five years and will also see series creator Gareth Evans and his creative partner Matt Flannery return as Executive Producers alongside Pulse Films’ Thomas Benski.

Also in news – Blake Lively to star in Dark Horse comic title ‘Lady Killer’ written by Diablo Cody

Corin Hardy said “Helping Gareth and the team bring the first series of Gangs of London kicking, screaming...

Corin Hardy (“The Nun”) will be the lead director for the second season of hit Sky and AMC series “Gangs of London.”

Hardy, who previously directed four episodes for season one, will also serve as executive producer, and will direct four episodes of season 2. Marcela Said and Nima Nourizadeh have also signed on to direct two episodes each.

Season 2 begins rolling in late spring.

“Gangs of London” was the biggest Sky original drama launch on Sky Atlantic of the past five years. In the U.S., it debuted on AMC Plus, helping to launch the new streaming platform, becoming one of its most watched series.

Internationally, “Gangs of London” launched successfully across Europe, Latin America, Australia, Japan and most recently in China.

The BAFTA-nominated series is produced by Pulse Films in association with Sister, for Sky Studios and AMC. Series creator Gareth Evans and creative partner Matt Flannery return as...

Former CAA agent also worked at Fox, Scott Rudin Productions.

Mark O’Connor is stepping up to head the feature film development and production division of Los Angeles-based independent finance and production company Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.

Ske is the English-language finance and production division of the recently formed Sk Global, a merger of Ske and Ivanhoe Pictures.

Sidney Kimmel and Ivanhoe’s Robert Friedland serve as co-chairs of Sk Global, while John Penotti is the president of Sk Global.

O’Connor, who has been at Ske since early last year, assumes the duties and responsibilities previously held by Carla Hacken, who left the company last month to form her own production company, Paper Pictures. Hacken will continue to produce select films for Ske.

Before joining Ske, O’Connor was a senior executive at Green Hat Films, which he joined in 2009, working on such projects as Nima Nourizadeh’s Project X and Todd Phillips’ War Dogs.

O’Connor...

Logan Lerman and soon-to-be Ready Player One star Olivia Cooke have come attached to headline Tracking of a Russian Spy, THR has learned.

The timely thriller mines inspiration from Mitch Swenson’s memoir in which a taboo romance spawns between the journalist Swenson (Lerman) and Katya, an enigmatic Russian woman, after the two cross paths in a New York nightclub. American Ultra‘s Nima Nourizadeh has been appointed at the helm, with StudioCanal and The Picture Company leveraging financial support. It should be noted that Lerman and Cooke’s respective deals are in the final stages, and though neither has signed on the dotted line at the time of writing, THR’s report indicates that early signs are positive.

And for two of Hollywood’s brightest up-and-comers, Tracking of a Russian Spy is a difficult project to pass up. After breaking hearts in Me, Earl & the Dying Girl, Olivia Cooke...

Logan Lerman and Olivia Cooke are in final negotiations to topline The Tracking Of A Russian Spy, the thriller based on real events that is being mounted by StudioCanal and The Picture Company. Nima Nourizadeh (American Ultra) is directing the pic based on Mitch Swenson’s memoir. The Picture Company’s Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman, who worked with Nourizadeh on his feature debut Project X, are producing, and a summer shoot is in the works. Ron Halpern and Shana Eddy are…...

Logan Lerman and Olivia Cooke are in final negotiations to star in The Tracking of a Russian Spy for StudioCanal and The Picture Company.

Nima Nourizadeh, who helmed American Ultra, is directing the true-life thriller that is so timely it could be tomorrow’s New York Times headline.

Based on Mitch Swenson’s memoir, the plot centers on a secret romance between Swenson, a journalist, and Katya, a mysterious Russian woman he met in a New York nightclub. She disappeared suddenly after the arrest of 10 Russian-Americans who were charged with spying for the Kremlin. Swenson went to Moscow to uncover who...

The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Nima Nourizadeh, director of Project X and 2015’s divisive stoner comedy American Ultra, has been brought aboard to helm Tracking of a Russian Spy.

The true-life thriller, one that’s set up shop at StudioCanal and The Picture Company, is to be based on Mitch Swenson’s novella of love and espionage and, frankly, the devastating consequences when the two intertwine. Drake Doremus was once attached at the helm, and while he’s now gone, we understand the original, adapted screenplay from Charles Cumming and Chris Salmanpour remains in place.

There’s currently no mention of a release window just yet, but the official pitch teases “a secret romance between Swenson and Katya, a mysterious Russian woman he met in a New York nightclub. She disappeared suddenly after the arrest of 10 Russian Americans who were charged with spying for the Kremlin. Swenson went to...

Nima Nourizadeh, who directed American Ultra and Project X, has been tapped to helm The Tracking of a Russian Spy for StudioCanal and The Picture Company.

The true-story thriller is based on Mitch Swenson's novella. The plot centers on a secret romance between Swenson and Katya, a mysterious Russian woman he met in a New York nightclub. She disappeared suddenly after the arrest of 10 Russian-Americans who were charged with spying for the Kremlin. Swenson went to Moscow to uncover who his love really was, leading him down a rabbit hole of intrigue and shadow government operations deep within Russia.

...

With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit the interwebs. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.

American Ultra (Nima Nourizadeh)

From its first few shots, it’s clear that American Ultra is removed from the relatively grounded drama of Greg Mottola’s underrated Adventureland, the last film that paired Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. We first meet Eisenberg’s bloodied and beaten Mike Howell detained and chained to a table in a septic interrogation room. As an agent throws photographic evidence of...

Veteran film production executive Mark O’Connor is joining Sidney Kimmel Entertainment as its executive VP of production, effective immediately, the company announced Monday. The well-respected O’Connor will report directly to Ske production president Carla Hacken, and will be instrumentally involved in all Ske film and television projects. O’Connor most recently served as a senior executive at Todd Phillips‘ Warner Bros.-based production company Green Hat Films, which he joined in 2009. During his time at Green Hat, O’Connor worked on such projects as Nima Nourizadeh’s found-footage comedy “Project X” and the upcoming Warners release “War Dogs,...

With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit the interwebs. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.

American Ultra (Nima Nourizadeh)

From its first few shots, it’s clear that American Ultra is removed from the relatively grounded drama of Greg Mottola’s underrated Adventureland, the last film that paired Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. We first meet Eisenberg’s bloodied and beaten Mike Howell detained and chained to a table in a septic interrogation room. As an agent throws photographic evidence of...

They starred together in "Adventureland," and recently wrapped shooting on Woody Allen's next film, but sandwiched between for Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart is "American Ultra." Hitting theaters late this summer, you might've missed it, but we've got the movie on DVD for some lucky readers. Read More: Review: 'American Ultra' Starring Jesse Eisenberg And Kristen Stewart Directed by Nima Nourizadeh, the comedic thriller centers on the small-town life of stoner Mike (Eisenberg) and his girlfriend Phoebe (Stewart). Mike’s sleepy world goes wild after he discovers that he’s actually a CIA sleeper agent with lethal fighting skills — and the target of government hitmen. The ultimate slacker, Mike transforms into an ultra-attacker as he and Phoebe fight to survive, and in the exclusive featurette below, the director explains his approach to marrying ultra-violence and comedy. To win the movie on DVD, follow us on Facebook and Twitter,...

Screen International has revealed its Stars of Tomorrow, spotlighting the hottest up-and-coming actors and filmmakers.

Click here to access the Screen Stars of Tomorrow microsite, including full profiles, picture gallery and digital edition

Now in its 12th year, the annual showcase spotlights up-and-coming actors, writers, directors and producers who will be making waves in the years to come.

Scroll down for the full list

Past Stars of Tomorrow selected by Screen include Benedict Cumberbatch (2004), Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (2005), Suffragette star Carey Mulligan, Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor John Boyega (2011) and last year’s cover stars Taron Egerton, Olivia Cooke and Sam Keeley.

Stars of Tomorrow editor Fionnuala Halligan curates the stars after considering hundreds of candidates and consulting with industry experts including casting agents, talent agents, managers, producers and directors.

This year marks a partnership with the BFI London Film Festival (Oct 7-18), which will present the Stars as part of its programme of events.

Halligan...

Screen International has revealed its Stars of Tomorrow, spotlighting the hottest up-and-coming actors and filmmakers.

Click here to access the Screen Stars of Tomorrow microsite, including full profiles, picture gallery and digital edition

Now in its 12th year, the annual showcase spotlights up-and-coming actors, writers, directors and producers who will be making waves in the years to come.

Scroll down for the full list

Past Stars of Tomorrow selected by Screen include Benedict Cumberbatch (2004), Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (2005), Suffragette star Carey Mulligan, Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor John Boyega (2011) and last year’s cover stars Taron Egerton, Olivia Cooke and Sam Keeley.

Stars of Tomorrow editor Fionnuala Halligan curates the stars after considering hundreds of candidates and consulting with industry experts including casting agents, talent agents, managers, producers and directors.

This year marks a partnership with the BFI London Film Festival (Oct 7-18), which will present the Stars as part of its programme of events.

Halligan...

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart brave an anarchic mish-mash with lots of violence but few laughs

This stoner/secret agent mash-up of The Bourne Identity and Pineapple Express promises cross-generic thrills and doesn’t skimp on crunchy violence, but comedy is in far shorter supply. Jesse Eisenberg is the hapless convenience-store clerk who discovers he has super-combat skills; Kristen Stewart is his long-suffering girlfriend with hidden secrets of her own.

At its best, Max Landis’s script channels some of the anarchic energy of Into the Night (which his father, John, directed), but too often American Ultra looks like 17 different movies thrown into a body bag and left to duke it out. Topher Grace and Connie Britton have snippy fun as warring CIA drones each trying to manage an increasingly explosive situation, but Project X director Nima Nourizadeh seems too seduced by the action set pieces to keep his eyes on the characters.

What if Jason Bourne lost his memory not because of head trauma, but because he was a massive stoner? That’s the question screenwriter Max Landis (Chronicle, the upcoming Victor Frankenstein) asks with American Ultra, and he and director Nima Nourizadeh (Project X) provide a pretty entertaining answer, for the most part at least, with this intriguing stoner comedy/action hybrid. Jesse Eisenberg is Mike Howell, an unmotivated stoner happy to waste his days getting high with his girlfriend Phoebe (Kristen Stewart). What he doesn’t know is that he is the last remaining subject of a CIA program to create lethal sleeper agents, which sees him targeted for termination by smarmy company man Adrian Yates (Topher Grace). With his programming hidden beneath a haze of pot smoke, Mike must take down the highly trained government agents sent to kill him and save the day. So, yeah, American Ultra is pretty high (geddit?...

It’s one joke dragged out for 90 minutes, and while it’s not entirely unamusing, the comedy feels mired in the same stoner fog as its slacker protagonist. I’m “biast” (pro): like Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

It’s one joke — stoner slacker Jesse Eisenberg is actually a sleeper badass covert operative, har har — dragged out for 90 minutes. And while it’s not entirely unamusing, the fact that the trailer tells the same story in two minutes and doesn’t feature any fewer jokes than the film itself tells you all you need to know. Mike Howell (Eisenberg: Rio 2) suffers from panic attacks, a kind of agoraphobia that doesn’t allow him to leave his small West Virginia town, and a complete and utter lack of ambition. But life isn’t too bad,...

Jesse Eisenberg is the unlikely action hero at the centre of American Ultra, a fast-talking, hyper-violent action-comedy about a stoner who turns out to be a Jason Bourne-like sleeper agent. Making it an Adventureland reunion is Kristen Stewart, onboard as Eisenberg's equally-blazed girlfriend Phoebe.

Eisenberg plays Mike Howell in typically fidgety fashion, working a dead-end job at a convenience store while he tries to find the right moment to propose to Phoebe. When the CIA puts a kill order on him (Mike was part of the defunct "Ultra" programme before getting his memory wiped), old instincts kick in and before long he's turned a spoon into a deadly weapon to take down a pair of government goons.

Staging a fake viral outbreak, the government seal off Mike's small West Virginia town to pen him in and finish the job. Topher Grace's conniving agent Yates pulls the strings from Langley...

Though marketed as something of a stoner comedy, Nima Nourizadeh’s American Ultra may just catch you by surprise, as an adrenaline-fuelled, action thriller with more inclination for speed than weed, with more of a point than a mere blunt or a joint. Undoubtedly jovial in parts, with a playful, adventurous tone, what transpires is

The post American Ultra Review appeared first on HeyUGuys.

'Straight Outta Compton' poster. Weekend box office: 'Straight Outta Compton' to beat weak competitors, but still far from being top blockbuster directed by black filmmaker If you thought last weekend was bad at the U.S. and Canada box office, you should see what's in store for this weekend, Aug. 28-30, '15. For starters, only one movie, F. Gary Gray's sleeper hit Straight Outta Compton, is expected to earn more than $10 million. The rest – and that includes Zac Efron, Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, and the Power of (Christian) Prayer – will perform quite powerlessly indeed. In case Straight Outta Compton reaches the box office gurus' estimated $15 million, it will get close to the $140 million mark. Bear in mind there's no guarantee that will happen; despite basically no competition, the drop-off rate of Gray's hip hopping film was steeper than expected last weekend. (See updated weekend box office estimates.) Now, some...

While promoting American Ultra, screenwriter Max Landis has described his idea of what a new Lethal Weapon sequel should look like...

If Lethal Weapon is to return to our screens at all, it will almost certainly take the form of a reboot. But what if Mel Gibson and Danny Glover were miraculously reunited for a fifth time? Screenwriter Max Landis has one possible answer.

During an interview with Grantland for his latest movie American Ultra, the new action comedy directed by Nima Nourizadeh, Landis was thrown a fun hypothetical question: if you were given $130m to make a new Lethal Weapon, would you do it? Landis' reply was an emphatic yes, which he followed with a remarkably well-formed, off-the-cuff pitch:

The final Lethal Weapon, if I have to pocket-pitch it right now, is Murtaugh and Riggs are asked to work with a group of, like, four cops who are younger,...

'Sinister 2' poster. 'American Ultra,' 'Hitman: Agent 47' and 'Sinister 2': Weekend box office bombs American Ultra, Hitman: Agent 47, and Sinister 2 are the new entries at the North American box office this weekend, Aug. 21-23, '15. All three of them are expected to underperform – with American Ultra having a particularly disastrous bow, especially for a movie starring Best Actor Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and former Twilight star Kristen Stewart. Whether you blame it on a glut of movies targeting the same audience, a lack of major box office draws, or poor reviews, only one of the debutantes is expected to score more than $10 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters by Sunday evening. 'Sinister 2' According to early estimates found at Deadline.com, Ciarán Foy's Sinister 2 will lead the pack of newcomers with...

With so many classic movies receiving sequels, reboots, and reimaginings, it’s really just a matter of time before we get a fifth Lethal Weapon movie. Screenwriter Max Landis -- who previously penned Chronicle -- believes he has found a way to breathe new life into the classic action franchise. In a recent interview with Grantland, while discussing their new film American Ultra, the conversation with Landis and director Nima Nourizadeh quickly turned towards how to go about a new adventure between Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). To which Landis quickly gave his pitch: The final Lethal Weapon, if I have to pocket-pitch it right now, is Murtaugh and Riggs are asked to work with a group of, like, four cops who are younger, who were all involved in an action movie that we didn’t see. You hear the report, and it sounds ...

Lionsgate released their new action/comedy movie, "American Ultra," into theaters today , August 21st, 2015, and all the top, major movie critics have submitted their reviews reviews. It turns out that it got a pretty mixed bag with an overall 50 score out of a possible 100 across 29 reviews at Metacritic.com. The film stars: Connie Britton, Jesse Eisenberg, John Leguizamo, and Kristen Stewart. We've posted blurbs from a few of the critics,below. Peter Hartlaub from the San Francisco Chronicle, gave it a decent 75 grade, stating: "The screenplay is deceptively tight, even as the main characters seem to be buzzing aimlessly through the proceedings. Like the most successful films of the drug-hazed genre, this movie only appears to be going off the rails." Leah Greenblatt over at Entertainment Weekly, gave it a 75 grade too, saying: "Check your brain at the popcorn-butter pump in the lobby and enjoy it." Brian Truitt from USA Today,...

“American Ultra” is this August’s attempt to reel in audiences still hungry for that last bit of relentless, momentous summer action and thirsty for an original story. It succeeds moderately well at delivering both. The film follows lost soul/American slacker yute Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg). A kind, but broken burnout who spends his days manning the register at a Cash ‘n’ Carry convenience store, getting high in the empty parking lot, and sketching out the various adventures of his unrealized comic creation “Apollo Ape.” His nights pass with his beloved Phoebe (Kristen Stewart) in their not quite rundown, but “lived in” stoner love shack. Mike is crippled by paralyzing panic attacks whenever he attempts to travel and is convinced that he’s hobbling Phoebe’s full potential. She does, in fact, seem all but saintly, initially. Phoebe functions as what one character describes as Mike’s “girlfriend, mother,...

Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, August 21. All synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise. Wide American Ultra Director: Nima Nourizadeh Cast: Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Bill Pullman, Topher Grace, Tony Hale, John Leguizamo, Walton Goggins, Teri Wyble, Connie Britton, Michael Papajohn, Monique Ganderton, Lavell Crawford, Nash Edgerton Synopsis: "A stoner and his girlfriend's sleepy, small-town existence is disrupted when his past comes back to haunt him in the form of a government operation set to wipe him out." Criticwire Grade Average: C (4 reviews) Hitman: Agent 47 Director: Aleksander Bach Cast: Rupert Friend, Zachary Quinto, Hannah Ware, Emilio Rivera, Rolf Kanies, Thomas Kretschmann, Dan Bakkedahl, Ciarán Hinds, Mona Pirzad, Prince William E. Morris, Michaela Caspar, Jerry Hoffmann Synopsis: "An assassin teams up with a woman to help her find her father and uncover the...

Universal will be adding 200 theaters to their hit Straight Outta Compton's current 2,757 venues, assuring that it takes the weekend with an estimated $30M. Given the N.W.A. biopic's current domestic haul of $84M that would put it well over $100M by Monday. The rest of the field, two secret agents flicks and horror sequel, can only look at that late August haul for Compton and drool. One of those secret agent flicks, Lionsgate's American Ultra, with Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, made $425K in Thursday screenings and has a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. That estimated $8M weekend Ultra is heading towards is better than the actors' last collaboration, the under-appreciated Adventureland, which opened at $5.7M on its way to $16M cume. It would be quite worse, however, than director Nima Nourizadeh's Project X, which opened to $21M in 2012 on its way to $54M. Hitman 47, the sequel to the original Timothy Olyphant Hitman,...

So we’re finally in the last stretch of Summer, the slow march to reach the (hopefully) cooler temps just past Labor Day. And along with those Fall breezes will come the more, somber award-worthy films. But there’s still time for a bit of mayhem to squeeze into those final August days. And mayhem seems to be the main purpose of this new release hitting the multiplex. Its main character is on a mission (not for a microchip or some, such macguffin, but to survive along with his gal) and many assassins are mowed down along with even more property damage (they blow up good). But unlike Ethan Hunt or Mad Max, he’s not aware of his “particular set of skills” at the movie’s beginning. Like Clark Kent, is he meek and “mild-mannered”? Well, more like meek and “mellow”, thanks to some tasty herbs. And he’s...

American Ultra

Written by Max Landis

Directed by Nima Nourizadeh

USA, 2015

Take the amnesiac spy from the Bourne franchise, throw him into the anarchic nihilism of Kick-Ass, add some romantic idealism and then bubble it all through the comedic sensibilities of Pineapple Express and you have something that approximates American Ultra. As entertaining as it is flawed, director Nima Nourizadeh’s film is sure to divide audiences with its haphazard mix of ultra-violence and heartfelt romance. A gleefully-belligerent experiment in style that thumbs its nose at your expectations.

Can a pair of hopeless romantics survive in a modern world consumed by security, surveillance, and sarcasm? Not if one of them is a merciless killing machine for the CIA! Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) is a well-meaning stoner who just wants to find the right moment to propose to his long-suffering girlfriend, Phoebe (Kristen Stewart). Those plans seem permanently derailed when a...

American Ultra aims to mix violence, absurdity, humor, and romance. It achieves this goal...poorly. Somewhat surprising, since stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart had such great chemistry in Adventureland. Unfortunately, a pedantic script from Max Landis (Chronicle) and maudlin direction by Nima Nourizadeh (Project X) doesn't recreate that magic. American Ultra had promise. A comedic take on the CIA's infamous Mk Ultra program could have been great. We'll have to wait for a better film, because American Ultra falls woefully short.

Jesse Eisenberg stars as slacker stoner Mike Howell. He and his hippie girlfriend, Phoebe (Kristen Stewart); live a relatively carefree existence in a small Virginia town. They smoke weed, work menial jobs, and are madly in love. Mike suffers from overwhelming panic attacks every time he tries to leave town. His hope of proposing to Phoebe in Hawaii ends disastrously when he can't even get on the plane.

Rolled into a joint made with the kief leftover from a dozen different movies, American Ultra is a natural underachiever. An early action scene, in which our protagonist average Joe brutally dispatches of two government goons through unconscious reflex, is a familiar one. So too are many of the events that follow, like when a military liaison explains to his CIA superior (Topher Grace, delightful) why their hit on a former asset has gone pear-shaped. “How is he still alive?” yells Grace’s pissy and psychotic company man. “Well, sir,” replies the Army brass, “he had a spoon.”

Deadpan statements shine like whites beneath the wide, spectral black light of American Ultra’s influences. It’s a paranoid pothead thriller (The Bourne Indica) that’s been hybridized with a sweetly simple relationship comedy. It’s also a violent action vehicle, a dopey stoner romp, and a Looney Tunes vision of surveillance state overreach.

The Long Spliff Goodnight: Nourizadeh’s Stoner Action Flick Mixes Kooky with Convention

Comprised of a tangle of similar narrative threads spliced together from a variety of genres and time periods, Nima Nourizadeh’s sophomore directorial effort American Ultra is generally more often entertaining than not, though considering the significant reputations of its leads and zany array of the supporting cast, it could have been better served with a bit more outlandishness than the conventional acts it delivers. As it stands, the success of this rural set conspiracy comedy depends mostly on the low-key charm this rather approximately defined scenario allows to transpire, but it ultimately isn’t goofy enough to allow for the cult notoriety something like this promises. As scripted by Max Landis (again returning to the landscape of youthful, self-reliant outsiders as in his 2012 Chronicle), there’s not a whole lot of surprise, but much like its drug of choice,...