Talking politics: ABC to air 'Black-ish' stand-alone special this week
Anthony Anderson stars in "Black-ish"
Talking politics: The ABC sitcom "Black-ish" has never been one to shy away from tackling politically "heavy" topics head-on, so why not address next month's presidential elections? Indeed, that's the topic that will be explored in a new one-hour, stand-alone election special set to air this week.
New Releases for the week of October 4 - 10
The Secret Garden
After the tragic death of her parents, Mary Lennox (Egerickx) is sent to live at her uncle Archibald Craven’s (Firth) manor. Archibald’s sullenness due to the recent loss of his wife and the condition of his bedridden child, Colin (Hayhurst), combined with the housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock’s (Walters), strict ways and the property’s overall cold demeanor, lead the orphaned girl to spend her days away from the manor, exploring the neighboring forest. During one of these expeditions, Mary discovers a fantastical, hidden garden. The garden is vibrant with nature and secrets that might just be the healing event that she, her uncle and her cousin so desperately need.
Director: Marc Munden. Stars: Dixie Egerickx, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Amir Wilson, Maeve Dermody, Jemma Powell, Edan Hayhurst. 2020. 99 mins. Fantasy.
The Tax Collector
David Cuevas (Soto) and Creeper (LaBeouf) collect taxes from gangs who share their profits with their crime lord boss, "The Wizard" (Smits). Unlike the volatile and aggressive Creeper, David is able to perform his violent occupation while maintaining a secure home life and being a devoted family man to his wife, Alexis (Carmona), and their two kids. This is all put at risk, however, when one of The Wizard’s rivals returns to L.A., intent on eliminating anyone who poses a threat to his reign as the city’s kingpin. High in the ring’s pecking order, David and Creeper are in immediate danger with no choice but to re-establish order before their loved ones are targeted.
Director: David Ayer. Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Bobby Soto, Cinthya Carmona, George Lopez, Lana Parrilla, Chelsea Rendon, Jimmy Smits. 2020. 95 mins. Action.
Save Yourselves!
Worried that their co-dependent relationships with their phones might be disrupting their connection to each other, Su (Mani) and Jack (Reynolds) decide to ditch all devices and distractions for a weekend away. Secluded in a beautiful cabin in the woods, the couple’s bonding trip turns from idyllic to apocalyptic as they slowly piece together that, while they’ve been off the grid, the planet has been under attack.
Directors: Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson. Stars: Sunita Mani, John Reynolds, John Early, Amy Sedaris, Ben Sinclair, Jo Firestone. 2020. 93 mins. Comedy.
Late Laughs for the week of October 4 - 10, 2020
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
This feels like "Captain America," you know, when Cap wakes up in the fake hospital they built to make him feel more at home? Except, on me they used some sort of opposite of the super serum to take away my muscles because I distinctly remember having a couple of muscles before I went into quarantine.
The last four years are like Trump is Dorian Grey and we’re the picture!
Meat alchemy: Barbecue gets the 'Chef’s Table' treatment
Rodney Scott as seen in "Chef's Table: BBQ"
It's been praised and parodied, and it has redefined the way food is presented on TV. From the moment it debuted in 2015, Netflix's Emmy-winning series "Chef's Table" set the bar high for food documentaries.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond, on AMC
Tune in for this spinoff series premiere. When an unexpected message changes what they thought they knew about the world, four teenagers are left to choose between the safety of their community, and the world beyond. Alexa Mansour and Nicolas Cantu star.
Men, money and murder: Italian drama, 'Devils,' picked up for October premiere
Alessandro Borghi stars in "Devils"
In a major acquisition by networks all over the world, the Sky Italia hit "Devils" will soon be making its way to audiences in the U.S. and Canada. It's slated to premiere Thursday, Oct. 7, on CW.
History unhinged: Ethan Hawke stars as John Brown in 'The Good Lord Bird'
Joshua Caleb Jackson and Ethan Hawke star in "The Good Lord Bird"
King Kong, on Showtime
A film crew travels to a remote island inhabited by a 25-foot gorilla in this remake of a Hollywood classic. When island natives kidnap the lead actress (Naomi Watts) and offer her to the beast, Kong falls in love. Jack Black and Adrien Brody also star.
The Late Late Show With James Corden, on CBS
The originator of the viral "Carpool Karaoke" bit, this late night show's host, James Corden, always makes sure to have fun and play games with his musical and celebrity guests, even when the interviews and performances are held via Zoom.
Q: Was Liev Schreiber actually a boxer? He seems like it on "Ray Donovan."
Hard-looking actor Liev Schreiber does seem to favor boxing projects, but it was the work that came first -- he only started boxing to prepare for a movie.
He says he started doing it in the early 2000s to prepare to play the great boxer Chuck Wepner (the inspiration for the 1976 classic "Rocky"). But the Wepner film, which Schreiber co-wrote, didn't actually get made until 2016. In the interim, he took on all sorts of other boxing-themed projects.