Paapa Essiedu stars as the overworked Bernard in Peacock’s “Genie.” His desire to please his boss has created tension between he and his wife Julie (Denée Benton). Enter Melissa McCarthy’s Flora, the titular genie. Written by Richard Curtis based on his 1991 British teleplay “Bernard and the Genie,”
The post Paapa Essiedu Talks About the Magic in “Genie” appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.
The post Paapa Essiedu Talks About the Magic in “Genie” appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.
- 12/15/2023
- by manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
While you can always rely on Hallmark and other channels to provide a frankly overwhelming number of new Christmas movies each year, the streaming services have all been slower to crank out their own Yuletide romcoms and North Pole-centric misadventures. This year there are a solid half-dozen options among four streamers, starring plenty of familiar faces going through the usual holiday hijinks in suburbia: Christmas cards, delayed toy delivery, body swaps. If you’ve seen it before, you can expect it again with pretty paper and a bow!
I’m gonna warn you now though, there are no bonafide modern classics in this year’s batch, but neither are they all lumps of coal. The ones that tackle the debate of Santa’s existence do so in ways unique from one another, and the movies on this list that are most successful are the ones that get super myopic about...
I’m gonna warn you now though, there are no bonafide modern classics in this year’s batch, but neither are they all lumps of coal. The ones that tackle the debate of Santa’s existence do so in ways unique from one another, and the movies on this list that are most successful are the ones that get super myopic about...
- 12/14/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Peacock’s movie Genie delivered a solid opening for Peacock during Thanksgiving week — big enough, in fact, to rank as the streamer’s biggest original film to date.
The holiday comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Paapa Essiedu premiered Nov. 22 on Peacock and drew about 405 million minutes of viewing time over its first five days, according to Nielsen figures (the full streaming top 10 charts for Thanksgiving week will be available later in December). It’s set to rank seventh among movies for that week, which typically sees a number of holiday favorites (a la Home Alone and Elf) re-enter the streaming charts.
The 405 million minutes of watch time for Genie is the equivalent of about 4.35 million complete showings of the 93-minute film (which is the now-codified standard for a “view” of a streaming movie or series).
Genie stars McCarthy as Flora, a genie who’s been trapped for more than 2,000 years inside an antique jewelry box.
The holiday comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Paapa Essiedu premiered Nov. 22 on Peacock and drew about 405 million minutes of viewing time over its first five days, according to Nielsen figures (the full streaming top 10 charts for Thanksgiving week will be available later in December). It’s set to rank seventh among movies for that week, which typically sees a number of holiday favorites (a la Home Alone and Elf) re-enter the streaming charts.
The 405 million minutes of watch time for Genie is the equivalent of about 4.35 million complete showings of the 93-minute film (which is the now-codified standard for a “view” of a streaming movie or series).
Genie stars McCarthy as Flora, a genie who’s been trapped for more than 2,000 years inside an antique jewelry box.
- 12/8/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paapa Essiedu had an "out of body experience" working with Melissa McCarthy on 'Genie'.The 33-year-old actor features as Bernard – a workaholic who attempts to win his family back before the Christmas celebrations with the help of the magical genie Flora - in the Richard Curtis-scripted movie and found it "surreal" to see the 'Bridesmaids' star add even more the picture with her acting ability.Speaking on 'The Graham Norton Show', Paapa said: "Obviously when you do a movie penned by Richard Curtis you know the script is unbeatable, but then Melissa comes along, rips it up and adds so much."It's surreal, she is an elite improviser, and I had an out of body experience watching her. I had to remind myself to act. It was the great learning experience for me. She is brilliant."'Genie' is a remake of Richard's 1991 TV...
- 12/8/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Empire Podcast #593: Richard Curtis, William Oldroyd & Thomasin McKenzie, Riz Ahmed & Jessie Buckley
It's another guest-packed jamboree on this week's Empire Podcast, folks. First, Chris Hewitt asks Richard Curtis about revisiting his BBC Christmas classic, Bernard & The Genie, as the new Sky Cinema film, :a[Genie]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/genie/' }. Chris also chats with William Oldroyd, director of the new thriller :a[Eileen]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/eileen/' }, and his star, Thomasin McKenzie. And then Amon Warmann Zooms in for a lovely natter with :a[Fingernails]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fingernails/' } stars, Riz Ahmed and Jessie Buckley. We really do spoil you lot.
And either side of all those is another fun episode as Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the forthcoming live show to mark our 600th episode (:a[on sale now]{href='https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/the-empire-podcast-600th-episode-live/' } -- be quick!
And either side of all those is another fun episode as Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara and James Dyer to talk about the forthcoming live show to mark our 600th episode (:a[on sale now]{href='https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/the-empire-podcast-600th-episode-live/' } -- be quick!
- 12/1/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
"Genie" is a new holiday fantasy comedy feature, directed by Sam Boyd, as a remake of the 1991 Brit TV movie "Bernard and the Genie", starring Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essiedu, Denée Benton, Marc Maron, Jordyn McIntosh, Luis Guzmán and Alan Cumming, streaming November 22, 2023 on Peacock:
"...with his life unravelling around him, 'Bernard' dusts off a jewellery box...
"... and unintentionally releases a magical genie who might just be able to help him..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...with his life unravelling around him, 'Bernard' dusts off a jewellery box...
"... and unintentionally releases a magical genie who might just be able to help him..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 11/24/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Peacock's Genie is a new Christmas movie led by a remarkable cast of actors, including the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Marc Maron, and Alan Cumming.
Directed by Sam Boyd, Genie serves as the 2023 remake of the British TV film Bernard and the Genie from 1991. It revolves around the story of a man named Bernie (Paapa Essiedu) whose life is in shambles after being fired from work and left by his wife.
Thankfully, a genie (Melissa McCarthy) enters his life to grant him unlimited wishes.
Read full article on The Direct.
Directed by Sam Boyd, Genie serves as the 2023 remake of the British TV film Bernard and the Genie from 1991. It revolves around the story of a man named Bernie (Paapa Essiedu) whose life is in shambles after being fired from work and left by his wife.
Thankfully, a genie (Melissa McCarthy) enters his life to grant him unlimited wishes.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 11/24/2023
- by Aeron Mer Eclarinal
- The Direct
Genies, at least in pop culture, have long been comic foils. Way back in 1940, in “The Thief of Bagdad,” Rex Ingram played Djinn, the movie’s larger-than-life genie — 100 feet tall in his ponytail and red diaper — as a sly, laughing soul man of lighthearted effrontery. The surrealist ’60s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” featured Barbara Eden, in diaphanous harem silks, as a magical servant/housewife, blinking her eyes to teleport her clueless “master” out of trouble. And Robin Williams’ vocal performance as the Genie in “Aladdin” may have come closer than any of his other film performances to channeling Williams the free-associational joke geyser.
So in “Genie,” when Melissa McCarthy pops out of a jewel box and reveals herself to be an ancient granter of wishes named Flora, it’s hardly a surprise that 1) the character is a complete lark, and 2) the whole joke is that Flora, though she hasn...
So in “Genie,” when Melissa McCarthy pops out of a jewel box and reveals herself to be an ancient granter of wishes named Flora, it’s hardly a surprise that 1) the character is a complete lark, and 2) the whole joke is that Flora, though she hasn...
- 11/22/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
You have to really watch your language when hanging out with a genie. Especially a genie who can grant unlimited wishes. After all, it’s too easy to utter the words “I wish” when you don’t really mean them, and the result could be that you accidentally send someone directly to Hell. So please, please, be careful what you say.
If that warning seems a bit fanciful, then you haven’t seen the new holiday-themed Christmas movie premiering on Peacock. Genie features so many jokes revolving around characters carelessly uttering “I wish” only to have to quickly reverse themselves that the film seems more like a public service announcement than a would-be holiday classic.
Written by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill), the streaming film is a loose remake of Bernard and the Genie, a 1991 BBC television movie that he also scripted. You can’t blame...
If that warning seems a bit fanciful, then you haven’t seen the new holiday-themed Christmas movie premiering on Peacock. Genie features so many jokes revolving around characters carelessly uttering “I wish” only to have to quickly reverse themselves that the film seems more like a public service announcement than a would-be holiday classic.
Written by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill), the streaming film is a loose remake of Bernard and the Genie, a 1991 BBC television movie that he also scripted. You can’t blame...
- 11/22/2023
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plot: With his job, life and family unraveling around him, a despondent Bernard dusts off a jewelry box and unintentionally releases genie Flora, who just might be able to help him. Maybe. It’s a longshot, frankly. In the process, Flora and Bernard will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all its own.
Review: Christmastime is here, once again, and that means a bevy of new holiday-themed films meant to evoke the Yuletide spirit while getting audiences to shell out their money and time towards new projects of all kinds. Hedging their bets that viewers will be swayed by the name recognition of Richard Curtis, the writer of Love Actually, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral, Peacock is launching their new film, Genie, over the Thanksgiving holiday. Genie, a remake of Curtis’ 1991 BBC television movie Bernard and the Genie, is a...
Review: Christmastime is here, once again, and that means a bevy of new holiday-themed films meant to evoke the Yuletide spirit while getting audiences to shell out their money and time towards new projects of all kinds. Hedging their bets that viewers will be swayed by the name recognition of Richard Curtis, the writer of Love Actually, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral, Peacock is launching their new film, Genie, over the Thanksgiving holiday. Genie, a remake of Curtis’ 1991 BBC television movie Bernard and the Genie, is a...
- 11/21/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
"Some friendships are worth more than you could ever wish for." Peacock has revealed the official trailer for a holiday comedy called Genie, directed by filmmaker Sam Boyd. This genie-in-a-bottle story mashed up with a Christmas movie comes from a screenplay written by the talented British writer Richard Curits, adapting his own 1991 teleplay called "Bernard and the Genie". Now updated for modern times with more awkward jokes. A holiday fairytale comedy about a genie, a man, and landing one last chance to fix the mess you’ve made of your life. With his job, life & family unraveling around him, a despondent Bernard (Paapa Essiedu) dusts off a jewelry box and unintentionally releases genie Flora, who just might be able to help him. Maybe. It's a longshot, frankly. Starring Melissa McCarthy as the genie, plus Denée Benton, Marc Maron, Jordyn McIntosh, Luis Guzmán, Tate Ellington, Lachanze, and Alan Cumming. I'm a...
- 11/1/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Richard Curtis, the prolific writer-director behind Love Actually, is gifting audiences yet another holiday comedy this year. Set to release on Nov. 22 on Peacock, Genie stars Melissa McCarthy as Flora, a wish-granting being summoned by hapless workaholic Bernard, played by Paapa Essiedu.
The trailer is filled with Curtis’ signature feel-good, witty banter and sparkly shots of Christmas tinsel in the background. Flora literally poofs into Bernard’s life when he needs it the most — he’s missed his daughter’s birthday, his wife has left him, and his boss has given him the boot.
The trailer is filled with Curtis’ signature feel-good, witty banter and sparkly shots of Christmas tinsel in the background. Flora literally poofs into Bernard’s life when he needs it the most — he’s missed his daughter’s birthday, his wife has left him, and his boss has given him the boot.
- 11/1/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
From the pen of “Love Actually” writer-director Richard Curtis comes a new holiday comedy — but this time the magic of the season is literally magic. Premiering on Peacock on Nov. 22, “Genie” follows Melissa McCarthy as Flora, the titular character, who comes to the assistance of a despondent Bernard (Paapa Essiedu). Through their unexpected friendship, the two discover how the power of love can unleash a special holiday magic.
From missing his daughter’s birthday to his wife leaving him to getting fired, Bernard is in need of a genie for several reasons. Luckily for him, he stumbles upon a jewelry box and unintentionally releases the genie Flora, who can grant unlimited wishes. Flora has been trapped in that box for over 2,000 years due to a misunderstanding with a sorcerer in 77 B.C., so Bernard begins to show her the world she has been missing. Meanwhile, declaring that he needs to...
From missing his daughter’s birthday to his wife leaving him to getting fired, Bernard is in need of a genie for several reasons. Luckily for him, he stumbles upon a jewelry box and unintentionally releases the genie Flora, who can grant unlimited wishes. Flora has been trapped in that box for over 2,000 years due to a misunderstanding with a sorcerer in 77 B.C., so Bernard begins to show her the world she has been missing. Meanwhile, declaring that he needs to...
- 11/1/2023
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
Two-thirds of Peacock’s 22 million subscribers have watched a recent Universal theatrical film, the NBCUniversal streaming service announced at its NewFronts presentation Tuesday.
Emphasizing the value to advertisers of the pay-1 window for Universal films, the company told ad buyers in the audience that 95% of viewers expressed a favorable opinion of the ad experience during movies. Fresh releases generally have only pre-roll ads and then stream without commercial interruption. The new pay-1 setup came about last year when Universal’s output deal with HBO reached its end and NBCU, like all media players, re-examined its pay-1 strategy in light of streaming.
The NewFronts event unfolded against a rancorous backdrop as WGA members set up a picket line on Fifth Avenue just outside of the venue, forcing attendees to weave their way through hundreds of picketers. On the corporate front, NBCU is also regrouping after the sudden ouster of former CEO Jeff Shell.
Emphasizing the value to advertisers of the pay-1 window for Universal films, the company told ad buyers in the audience that 95% of viewers expressed a favorable opinion of the ad experience during movies. Fresh releases generally have only pre-roll ads and then stream without commercial interruption. The new pay-1 setup came about last year when Universal’s output deal with HBO reached its end and NBCU, like all media players, re-examined its pay-1 strategy in light of streaming.
The NewFronts event unfolded against a rancorous backdrop as WGA members set up a picket line on Fifth Avenue just outside of the venue, forcing attendees to weave their way through hundreds of picketers. On the corporate front, NBCU is also regrouping after the sudden ouster of former CEO Jeff Shell.
- 5/2/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood went hunting for lots of British comedy talent in the 1990s - and lured the likes of Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson...
For some reason, Hollywood fell in love with British actors again in the 1990s. Sparked by Alan Rickman's turn as Hans Gruber in Die Hard at the back end of the 1980s, many movie villains were either Brits, or in the case of Cliffhanger, John Lithgow taking on the mannerisms of a British antagonist.
Yet in particular, Hollywood went recruiting British comedy talent, with faces then mainly - but not exclusively - known for their small screen work getting roles of various sizes in Hollywood productions. Here are some who racked up the air miles - starting with the man who arguably became one of the most successful...
Hugh Laurie - 101 Dalmatians
Laurie is a man of many talents, who ultimately cracked America with...
For some reason, Hollywood fell in love with British actors again in the 1990s. Sparked by Alan Rickman's turn as Hans Gruber in Die Hard at the back end of the 1980s, many movie villains were either Brits, or in the case of Cliffhanger, John Lithgow taking on the mannerisms of a British antagonist.
Yet in particular, Hollywood went recruiting British comedy talent, with faces then mainly - but not exclusively - known for their small screen work getting roles of various sizes in Hollywood productions. Here are some who racked up the air miles - starting with the man who arguably became one of the most successful...
Hugh Laurie - 101 Dalmatians
Laurie is a man of many talents, who ultimately cracked America with...
- 4/20/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Carley salutes a comic book movie that might not have set the box office alight, but still deserves lots of love. It's Josie And The Pussycats...
It's fair to say we're in a renaissance of comic book heroes making it onto the big screen, with Batman, Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man and many more taking centre stage at a cinema near you.
However, many moons ago, another comic book favourite made the leap to cinemas, Josie And The Pussycats, and although it flopped at the box office, it's come to be a bit of a cult favourite over the years and is proof that you don't have to have superpowers to entertain the pants off your audience.
The basic outline of the film is this. MegaRecords, headed up by the hip but evil Fiona (Parker Posey), is riding high on the wave of success of boy band Du Jour (made up of Seth Green,...
It's fair to say we're in a renaissance of comic book heroes making it onto the big screen, with Batman, Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man and many more taking centre stage at a cinema near you.
However, many moons ago, another comic book favourite made the leap to cinemas, Josie And The Pussycats, and although it flopped at the box office, it's come to be a bit of a cult favourite over the years and is proof that you don't have to have superpowers to entertain the pants off your audience.
The basic outline of the film is this. MegaRecords, headed up by the hip but evil Fiona (Parker Posey), is riding high on the wave of success of boy band Du Jour (made up of Seth Green,...
- 8/2/2011
- Den of Geek
Ask Rhod Gilbert, Alan Davies in Whites, Harry & Paul return, the end of This Is England '86 and a lot more besides in our UK TV round-up!
Comedy veterans return, the new guard challenges, and a freshly peeled sitcom is brewing on the burners. Plus, a brilliant little bit of geek film lovers' animation wraps up the next seven days of telly goodies.
Ask Rhod Gilbert is new to BBC1 and airs Monday at 10:35pm. The first of an eight episode run sees the stand-up comedian answer questions, from the considered to the ridiculous, with the help of guest comedians and other personalities joining regulars Greg Davies and Lloyd Langford.
Another new series, this time on BBC2, is Whites, starring Alan Davies as a country house hotel chef. A similar role was this TV fan's favourite performance by Lenny Henry in Chef! (apart from the wonderful Christmas fantasy flick,...
Comedy veterans return, the new guard challenges, and a freshly peeled sitcom is brewing on the burners. Plus, a brilliant little bit of geek film lovers' animation wraps up the next seven days of telly goodies.
Ask Rhod Gilbert is new to BBC1 and airs Monday at 10:35pm. The first of an eight episode run sees the stand-up comedian answer questions, from the considered to the ridiculous, with the help of guest comedians and other personalities joining regulars Greg Davies and Lloyd Langford.
Another new series, this time on BBC2, is Whites, starring Alan Davies as a country house hotel chef. A similar role was this TV fan's favourite performance by Lenny Henry in Chef! (apart from the wonderful Christmas fantasy flick,...
- 9/23/2010
- Den of Geek
I've never heard of Bernard and the Genie before today. It was a 1990 television movie in Britain written by Richard Curtis (Love, Actually, Notting Hill). The description of the movie is every bit as dumb as the title would suggest: It's about an art dealer who loses his job and his girlfriend only to stumble upon a lamp which unleashes a genie that'd been trapped inside for 2,000 years. Given a wish he can use on anything in the world, the art dealer wishes for a famous painting. Complications ensue when the police believe that he'd stolen the painting. It starred Alan Cumming and Rowan Atkinson.
It sounds moronic.
So, Dimension Films is going to remake it into a feature film. Of course. Because who can resist the allure of a magic genie film? What is it about magic genies and that one wish that we're so fascinated by, anyway? If...
It sounds moronic.
So, Dimension Films is going to remake it into a feature film. Of course. Because who can resist the allure of a magic genie film? What is it about magic genies and that one wish that we're so fascinated by, anyway? If...
- 4/17/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
I just re-watched Pirate Radio (or rather, The Boat That Rocked) on Blu-Ray a few days ago and enjoyed it as much as when I first saw it. I love Richard Curtis, he's one of my favorite British directors. He started his entertainment industry career as a screenwriter and one of his scripts was a 1991 television movie called Bernard and the Genie. You probably know why I'm telling you about this - because they're remaking it. Pajiba is reporting that Dimension Films is going to turn Bernard and the Genie into a feature film. Richard Curtis is at least producing and has written the feature script, but won't be directing it (as far as we know). The film, which just barely pre-dates Aladdin (1992), is a comedy about an art dealer who loses his job and his girlfriend only to stumble upon a magic lamp that unleashes a genie that's ...
- 4/16/2010
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
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