Fantasy tends to be a genre of dead mothers and wicked stepmothers. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise since modern stories often draw on generations of fairy tales and retellings with absent moms. Yet when the mothers are part of the story, they frequently function solely in their parental role, without an indication of their own personhood beyond that. So for Mother’s Day, I wanted to create a list of some of science fiction and fantasy’s (Sff) amazing moms. We may not get to see the lives of these moms on screen or on the page, but we’ve got the clues to know that they are their own people—and that makes them realer mothers.
Laurel Lightfoot
I’ve already written about what I loved about Pixar’s Onward as a gamer, but my first response to the film really came as a mother. Laurel Lightfoot,...
Laurel Lightfoot
I’ve already written about what I loved about Pixar’s Onward as a gamer, but my first response to the film really came as a mother. Laurel Lightfoot,...
- 5/9/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
In the final minutes of 2017, Neil Diamond stood before more than a million revelers braving the subzero chill to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Times Square. Leading the crowd through “Sweet Caroline,” his 1969 smash and perpetual party starter, good times never seemed so good for the music icon. The year had been a triumph with packed stadiums across North American and Europe for his 50th Anniversary Tour, and 2018 seemed just as bright. Dates in Australia and New Zealand were booked for the spring, and he was tapped to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the...
- 1/31/2018
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired rights in North America, Eastern Europe, Germany and Asia Pay Television to Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.
Paul McGuigan directs the adaptation, starring Annette Bening, Vanessa Redgrave, Jamie Bell and Julie Waters. It makes its world premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Based on Peter Turner’s memoir, the film follows the playful but passionate relationship between Turner (Bell) and the eccentric Oscar-winning actress Gloria Grahame (Bening) in 1978 Liverpool. What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover quickly grows into a deeper...
Paul McGuigan directs the adaptation, starring Annette Bening, Vanessa Redgrave, Jamie Bell and Julie Waters. It makes its world premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Based on Peter Turner’s memoir, the film follows the playful but passionate relationship between Turner (Bell) and the eccentric Oscar-winning actress Gloria Grahame (Bening) in 1978 Liverpool. What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover quickly grows into a deeper...
- 8/7/2017
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Delightful set of first look images from Mary Poppins Returns are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Author: Zehra Phelan
Entertainment Weekly have released a new set of delightful first look images from the Disney reboot of Mary Poppins Returns even if the film isn’t due to hit the big screen until Christmas 2018.
Related: Mary Poppins Returns News
Mary Poppins, who was originally made famous my Julie Andrews in 1964, is set firmly in the hearts of the population both young and old; it’s a story that’s stood the test of time so there is no surprise regarding the bubbling excitement that has been doing the rounds since the announcement of the project.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly Emily Blunt, who plays the titular role, was very aware of how important it was getting the story and feel of the original right, she stated “I hope what we’re doing, and it certainly feels this way to me, is beautiful and profound and...
Entertainment Weekly have released a new set of delightful first look images from the Disney reboot of Mary Poppins Returns even if the film isn’t due to hit the big screen until Christmas 2018.
Related: Mary Poppins Returns News
Mary Poppins, who was originally made famous my Julie Andrews in 1964, is set firmly in the hearts of the population both young and old; it’s a story that’s stood the test of time so there is no surprise regarding the bubbling excitement that has been doing the rounds since the announcement of the project.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly Emily Blunt, who plays the titular role, was very aware of how important it was getting the story and feel of the original right, she stated “I hope what we’re doing, and it certainly feels this way to me, is beautiful and profound and...
- 6/8/2017
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Author: Zehra Phelan
Oh, Mamma Mia!!!!!! The Abba-based musical Mamma Mia is all set for a return to our big screens next year as Universal Pictures announced a sequel to the 2008 romantic comedy which saw the legendary Meryl Streep dance and sings her way around on Greek soil whilst secretly lusting after an old flame.
Related: Meryl Streep interview on Into the Woods.
The Mamma Mia sequel is scheduled for a July 2018 release, a release which marks the ten year anniversary since Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skasgard, Dominic Cooper and Julia Waters came together in an ensemble cast in a story which saw an independent hotelier, Donna (Streep) in the Greek islands prepare for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile, Sophie, the spirited bride, had a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in hope...
Oh, Mamma Mia!!!!!! The Abba-based musical Mamma Mia is all set for a return to our big screens next year as Universal Pictures announced a sequel to the 2008 romantic comedy which saw the legendary Meryl Streep dance and sings her way around on Greek soil whilst secretly lusting after an old flame.
Related: Meryl Streep interview on Into the Woods.
The Mamma Mia sequel is scheduled for a July 2018 release, a release which marks the ten year anniversary since Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skasgard, Dominic Cooper and Julia Waters came together in an ensemble cast in a story which saw an independent hotelier, Donna (Streep) in the Greek islands prepare for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile, Sophie, the spirited bride, had a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in hope...
- 5/22/2017
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Author: Zehra Phelan
“You’re were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” is and will always be Michael Caine’s most iconic line of all time, uttered in the 1969 British Caper The Italian Job. With a career spanning a hefty 64 years between 1953 and 2017, Caine hits our screens yet again this week starring opposite Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin in Going in Style, a remake of the 1979 heist comedy directed by Zach Braff. It tells the story of a trio of retirees who plan to rob a bank after their pensions are cancelled, proving he isn’t quite ready to hang up his acting shoes to start drawing his own pension.
At the tender age of 84 the man previously known as Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, now known as Sir Michael Caine after being knighted by the queen in 2000, has starred in a staggering 125 films in his career to date. His...
“You’re were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” is and will always be Michael Caine’s most iconic line of all time, uttered in the 1969 British Caper The Italian Job. With a career spanning a hefty 64 years between 1953 and 2017, Caine hits our screens yet again this week starring opposite Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin in Going in Style, a remake of the 1979 heist comedy directed by Zach Braff. It tells the story of a trio of retirees who plan to rob a bank after their pensions are cancelled, proving he isn’t quite ready to hang up his acting shoes to start drawing his own pension.
At the tender age of 84 the man previously known as Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, now known as Sir Michael Caine after being knighted by the queen in 2000, has starred in a staggering 125 films in his career to date. His...
- 4/5/2017
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Mary Poppins Returns is positively brimming with talent. Emily Blunt takes on the titular role that Julie Andrews once played, while Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Colin Firth, Julie Waters and Dick Van Dyke round out the ensemble. Now, they’ll be joined by another tremendous screen presence, as Angela Lansbury enters the newest live-action Disney sequel.
Five-time Tony winner Lansbury will play the Balloon Lady, who was originally featured in P.L. Travers’ novel. While it’s presumably a minor role, it definitely won’t be Lansbury’s introduction to Disney. She previously starred in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and also gave her voice to Mrs. Potts in the original 1992 Beauty and the Beast. She won’t reprise the role in the live-action adaptation, however. Those duties now belong to Emma Thompson. Oddly enough, Thompson played Travers in Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks. The studio likes to keep people in the family,...
Five-time Tony winner Lansbury will play the Balloon Lady, who was originally featured in P.L. Travers’ novel. While it’s presumably a minor role, it definitely won’t be Lansbury’s introduction to Disney. She previously starred in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and also gave her voice to Mrs. Potts in the original 1992 Beauty and the Beast. She won’t reprise the role in the live-action adaptation, however. Those duties now belong to Emma Thompson. Oddly enough, Thompson played Travers in Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks. The studio likes to keep people in the family,...
- 2/17/2017
- by Will Ashton
- We Got This Covered
Film fans of a certain…ahem…age are often grousing about the current state of cinema, saying that “they don’t make em’ like they used to”. Brooklyn is the rejoinder to that tired dismissal. Of course it helps that the story’s setting is over sixty years in the past. But to quote another “old chestnut” it’s a love story that’s timeless. Well, it’s more of a coming-of-age love story, told through the wide eyes of Ellis (Saoirse Ronan), a sweet colleen barely past her teens. And yes she is Irish, with the film’s plot originating from the “emerald isle”. It is 1952 and she is eager (and a tad anxious) to begin a new adventure, for thanks to her connections at the local church, she is leaving her beloved mother and older sister to start a new life in America. We’re on board with...
- 11/4/2015
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Fox Searchlight is moving the theatrical release of period drama “Brooklyn” up by two days, the studio announced Thursday. The film, which the distributor acquired for $9 million at the Sundance Film Festival, will hit theaters on Nov. 4 instead of Nov. 6. “Brooklyn” stars Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent and Julie Waters. It is directed by John Crowley. See Video: Saoirse Ronan Gets Caught Between Ireland and America in 'Brooklyn' Trailer The movie tells the story of Eilis Lacey (Ronan), a young Irish immigrant living in Brooklyn during the 1950s. She left Ireland for New York City,...
- 9/17/2015
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Perhaps no other title at this year’s Sundance Film Festival screamed Oscar quite as loudly as Brooklyn, John Crowley’s tale of a young immigrant torn between her home world and the new life she’s trying to carve out for herself in America.
Saoirse Ronan stars in the pic, adapted from the book by Colm Toibin by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity), as an Irish immigrant trying to balance a new love and an old life while combatting the struggles of survival in 1950s New York. Emory Cohen, Domnhall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Waters co-star.
Reviews out of Sundance were rapturous, with particular praise going toward the moving story, Ronan’s emotive lead performance and the evocative cinematography, so it would be no surprise to see Brooklyn pop up in the awards mix closer to the end of the year. From what we’ve heard, few films this...
Saoirse Ronan stars in the pic, adapted from the book by Colm Toibin by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity), as an Irish immigrant trying to balance a new love and an old life while combatting the struggles of survival in 1950s New York. Emory Cohen, Domnhall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Waters co-star.
Reviews out of Sundance were rapturous, with particular praise going toward the moving story, Ronan’s emotive lead performance and the evocative cinematography, so it would be no surprise to see Brooklyn pop up in the awards mix closer to the end of the year. From what we’ve heard, few films this...
- 7/9/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Chicago – It may prove hard to recall an era of talking creatures in live-action movies before the napalm hellfire of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” or “The Smurfs.” But, lest we forget, “Babe” has more Academy Awards than “The Master.” Arriving at the coy and wise time of the film year where expectations are either golden or underneath the barrel, talking bear Paddington arrives stateside as a well-behaved throwback to brighter days for a simple genre, with an efficient sense of humor and a few globs of vision, too.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Voiced with clear-eyed wonder by Ben Whishaw, cheery children’s book icon Paddington is a Peruvian bear with both a refined English vernacular and ravenousness for orange marmalade, attributes learned from British artifacts left by visiting explorer Montgomery Clyde. When Paddington’s home is destroyed in an earthquake, the young bear stows away to foggy London to meet the revered adventurer.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Voiced with clear-eyed wonder by Ben Whishaw, cheery children’s book icon Paddington is a Peruvian bear with both a refined English vernacular and ravenousness for orange marmalade, attributes learned from British artifacts left by visiting explorer Montgomery Clyde. When Paddington’s home is destroyed in an earthquake, the young bear stows away to foggy London to meet the revered adventurer.
- 1/16/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
It’s one of the most anticipated films of the New Year, and Studio Canal just released a new teaser trailer and featurette for “Paddington.”
Slated to hit theaters here in the States on January 16th, 2015, the live action flick features Ben Whishaw as the voice of the adorable bear along with Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Julie Waters and Michael Gambon.
Per the synopsis, “A young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British travels to London in search of a home.”
“Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family, who read the label around his neck ('Please look after this bear. Thank you.') and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.
Slated to hit theaters here in the States on January 16th, 2015, the live action flick features Ben Whishaw as the voice of the adorable bear along with Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Julie Waters and Michael Gambon.
Per the synopsis, “A young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British travels to London in search of a home.”
“Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family, who read the label around his neck ('Please look after this bear. Thank you.') and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.
- 10/28/2014
- GossipCenter
The 33-year-old British actor, Ben Whishaw, has stepped in “slightly grudgingly” to replace Colin Firth as the voice of Paddington Bear in StudioCanal’s CGI/live-action feature.
Firth left in June after agreeing with the producers that he was not right for the role.
“What we needed was a slightly more open, and younger, voice,” producer David Heyman told The Daily Mail.
“I resisted a little bit, because I had a bad experience doing this kind of work in the past and I thought I was no good at it,” Whishaw told the newspaper. “But I was persuaded to go, slightly grudgingly.”
StudioCanal will release Paddington in the UK on November 28, while The Weinstein Company opens it in the Us on December 25.
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Waters and Peter Capaldi also star. Paul King directs.
Firth left in June after agreeing with the producers that he was not right for the role.
“What we needed was a slightly more open, and younger, voice,” producer David Heyman told The Daily Mail.
“I resisted a little bit, because I had a bad experience doing this kind of work in the past and I thought I was no good at it,” Whishaw told the newspaper. “But I was persuaded to go, slightly grudgingly.”
StudioCanal will release Paddington in the UK on November 28, while The Weinstein Company opens it in the Us on December 25.
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Waters and Peter Capaldi also star. Paul King directs.
- 7/18/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Saoirse Ronan filmed scenes for her upcoming feature film, Brooklyn, in Enniscorthy, Ireland, on Monday.
Saoirse Ronan Films Brooklyn
Ronan, 19, was costumed for the period drama in a long navy skirt and a short cream-colored cardigan over a white button-up. As the series is set in the 50s, Ronan’s hair was styled for the decade in vintage curls, and she wore a soft red lipstick.
Directed by John Crowley, Brooklyn is based off the New York Times best-seller by Colm Toibin. It’s been adapted for the big screen by Nick Hornby. Starring alongside Ronan will be Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Waters and Emory Cohen.
In Brooklyn, Ronan plays Ellis Lacy, an Irish Immigrant who wants to build a life for herself in post-war era New York City. Unlike the small town in Ireland she hails from, Brooklyn provides Ellis with job options and true love with an...
Saoirse Ronan Films Brooklyn
Ronan, 19, was costumed for the period drama in a long navy skirt and a short cream-colored cardigan over a white button-up. As the series is set in the 50s, Ronan’s hair was styled for the decade in vintage curls, and she wore a soft red lipstick.
Directed by John Crowley, Brooklyn is based off the New York Times best-seller by Colm Toibin. It’s been adapted for the big screen by Nick Hornby. Starring alongside Ronan will be Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Waters and Emory Cohen.
In Brooklyn, Ronan plays Ellis Lacy, an Irish Immigrant who wants to build a life for herself in post-war era New York City. Unlike the small town in Ireland she hails from, Brooklyn provides Ellis with job options and true love with an...
- 4/1/2014
- Uinterview
We remeber him from our childhood books, but now Paddington Bear is coming to life in the brand new film from TWC-Dimension.
On Tuesday (March 4), the production company gave audiences a first-look at the adorable tale "Paddington" in a short teaser clip giving us a small peak at the cuddly bear.
The Paul King-directed film stars Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent, Julie Waters and Colin Firth's voice as the lovable teddy.
Following the comical mishaps of the young Peruvian bear in London, "Paddington" is slated to hit theaters on December 12, 2014.
Watch the clip in the player above!
On Tuesday (March 4), the production company gave audiences a first-look at the adorable tale "Paddington" in a short teaser clip giving us a small peak at the cuddly bear.
The Paul King-directed film stars Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent, Julie Waters and Colin Firth's voice as the lovable teddy.
Following the comical mishaps of the young Peruvian bear in London, "Paddington" is slated to hit theaters on December 12, 2014.
Watch the clip in the player above!
- 3/4/2014
- GossipCenter
Les Dennis isn't exactly in our day-to-day thoughts, truth be told, but the news yesterday (January 23) that the light entertainment legend would be joining Coronation Street still managed to put a massive smile on our face. Les on the cobbles! Amazing!
To celebrate Les's biggest gig in quite some time, we look back at the celebrity good egg's life and career in order, and come up with eight reasons why we absolutely love him...
He's a talent show king!
Way back before Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor et al, there was New Faces, a notoriously tough competition where a panel of judges - including a youthful Noel Edmonds - marked variety acts on their "star quality", usually without chucking water over each other or trying to get into the papers with a particularly daring dress, as all that palaver is a modern talent show invention.
After doing the rounds...
To celebrate Les's biggest gig in quite some time, we look back at the celebrity good egg's life and career in order, and come up with eight reasons why we absolutely love him...
He's a talent show king!
Way back before Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor et al, there was New Faces, a notoriously tough competition where a panel of judges - including a youthful Noel Edmonds - marked variety acts on their "star quality", usually without chucking water over each other or trying to get into the papers with a particularly daring dress, as all that palaver is a modern talent show invention.
After doing the rounds...
- 1/24/2014
- Digital Spy
This week: Pixar churns out another animated blockbuster with "Brave," featuring the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Waters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson and many more.
Also new this week is Oliver Stone's "Savages," the sci-fi comedy "The Watch" with Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill, and the glorious Blu-ray debut of "Lawrence of Arabia."
'Brave'
Box Office: $236 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% Fresh
Storyline: Set in the Highlands of Scotland, Pixar's latest animated adventure follows a different kind of princess named Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald). The strong-willed archer defies a sacred custom of her people and unleashes chaos in the kingdom, forcing Merida to use all of her resources — including her triplet brothers — to undo a beastly curse and discover the true meaning of bravery.
Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray have two additional animated shorts. There is also a kingdom's worth of Blu-ray exclusives,...
Also new this week is Oliver Stone's "Savages," the sci-fi comedy "The Watch" with Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill, and the glorious Blu-ray debut of "Lawrence of Arabia."
'Brave'
Box Office: $236 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% Fresh
Storyline: Set in the Highlands of Scotland, Pixar's latest animated adventure follows a different kind of princess named Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald). The strong-willed archer defies a sacred custom of her people and unleashes chaos in the kingdom, forcing Merida to use all of her resources — including her triplet brothers — to undo a beastly curse and discover the true meaning of bravery.
Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray have two additional animated shorts. There is also a kingdom's worth of Blu-ray exclusives,...
- 11/12/2012
- by Robert DeSalvo
- NextMovie
Monthly Movie Preview – June 2012
No offense to people who like the month of June, but this might be the weakest month of the summer movie season. Especially with G.I. Joe: Retaliation going Mia from the month’s slate, this one doesn’t have the firepower of May (The Avengers, Men in Black 3), July (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises) or possibly even August (The Bourne Legacy, The Expendables 2).
Instead, this month looks to have some of the most random offerings of them all. Sure, Prometheus, Brave, and Rock of Ages are mixed in there, but so is another Tyler Perry movie (Madea’s Witness Protection), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and yup, that Channing Tatum stripping movie Magic Mike. Oh, and a movie in which Mark Wahlberg hangs out with a raunchy teddy bear (Ted) for good measure. Add a Pixar movie on top, (Brave), and you’ve got June.
No offense to people who like the month of June, but this might be the weakest month of the summer movie season. Especially with G.I. Joe: Retaliation going Mia from the month’s slate, this one doesn’t have the firepower of May (The Avengers, Men in Black 3), July (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises) or possibly even August (The Bourne Legacy, The Expendables 2).
Instead, this month looks to have some of the most random offerings of them all. Sure, Prometheus, Brave, and Rock of Ages are mixed in there, but so is another Tyler Perry movie (Madea’s Witness Protection), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and yup, that Channing Tatum stripping movie Magic Mike. Oh, and a movie in which Mark Wahlberg hangs out with a raunchy teddy bear (Ted) for good measure. Add a Pixar movie on top, (Brave), and you’ve got June.
- 6/1/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
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