Latest news with #TheLifeofChuck
Time Out
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
It's official: Singapore is home to one of the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world
We knew it, and now the world does too. Singapore has officially landed a spot on Time Out's list of the world's most beautiful outdoor cinemas – coming in hot at 11th place, thanks to the stunning Hendrick's Sunset Cinema. With its breezy beachfront setting at Tanjong Beach, pre-show live DJ show, coastal cuisine from nearby Tanjong Beach Club, immersive silent disco-style experience, and free-flow vibes, it's no surprise this alfresco film affair always sells out. Top spot went to Sydney's WestPac OpenAir – we'll happily concede to a cinema with front-row views of the Opera House and that unbeatable Aussie sunshine. While this year's edition of Hendrick's Sunset Cinema has already wrapped, there's good news for cinephiles craving that under-the-stars kind of movie magic. The team behind the seaside screenings is bringing back its sister event: Films At The Fort, an open-air cinema experience set against the lush, green backdrop of Fort Canning Park. The event runs from August 21 to September 7, with a nightly lineup of acclaimed films and cult classics. This year's buzz-worthy titles include The Life of Chuck, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, F1: The Movie, and all-time greats, including 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shawshank Redemption. Instead of deck chairs, you get space to spread out your picnic blanket and settle in under the trees. You can also rent backrests for maximum comfort. Food-wise, you're in for a treat as The Prince, Firangi Superstar and Neon Pigeon come together to curate a menu that includes sweet and savoury popcorn, juicy beef burgers, flavourful kebab dishes, ice cream sandwiches, and more.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Dastmalchian Lands Role Of Villain M. Bison In Legendary's ‘Street Fighter'
EXCLUSIVE: David Dastmalchian (The Life of Chuck) has landed the role of big bad M. Bison in Legendary's live-action Street Fighter movie, based on the video games from Capcom, sources tell Deadline. Reps for Legendary declined to comment. It's the biggest role to date for the actor, who's now been working consistently for nearly 20 years, and marks another big leap forward, following his strong marks earned for starring in the buzzy horror film Late Night with the Devil. More from Deadline 'Street Fighter' Cast: Who's Who In The Live-Action Arcade Film Adaption 'Janet Planet's Annie Baker Reteaming With A24 On 'Ancient History'; Sophia Lillis & Daniel Zolghadri To Star 'Street Fighter' Movie At Legendary Adds Andrew Schulz To Cast Plot details for Street Fighter remain under wraps. M. Bison is the central villain of many of the games — the leader of the criminal organization known as Shadaloo, which is involved in various illegal activities, including arms trafficking, mind control experiments, and global domination. His ultimate goal? World domination. As previously announced, others in the cast of Street Fighter include Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, Orville Peck, Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, and Andrew Schulz. Bad Trip's Kitao Sakurai is directing. Launched in 1987, Street Fighter is a series of fighting games revolving around intense one-on-one battles between a diverse cast of martial artists, organized by M. Bison as a global fighting tournament. The games have sold over 55 million units worldwide since launch, making the franchise one of the most well-known and highest-grossing of all time. Recently seen in Mike Flanagan's Stephen King adaptation The Life of Chuck, which won the coveted People's Choice Award at TIFF and went on to distribution via Neon, Dastmalchian was also seen starring earlier this year alongside Alexander Skarsgård in Apple's comedic sci-fi thriller series Murderbot. No stranger to villain turns, he'll soon be seen in Dexter: Resurrection and Season 2 of Netflix's hit series One Piece, where he plays the evil Mr. 3. Currently in production opposite Kelly Marie Tran on the psychological thriller Kodak SuperXX, with Bryan Fuller's Dust Bunny among his other upcoming projects, Dastmalchian is repped by Atlas Artists and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Men of Steel: Every Actor Who Has Played Superman - Photo Gallery 'Michael' Cast: Who's Who In The Michael Jackson Biopic
Tom's Guide
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
'Murderbot' star David Dastmalchian talks about that season 1 twist and his hopes for season 2
"Murderbot" has been a pleasant surprise since it dropped on Apple TV Plus. The sci-fi comedy-drama started as a bit of a slow burn, but has since picked up, with more than a few shocking moments. One of the biggest shocking moments from the season centered around the character Gurathin, a human with synthetic augmentations played by David Dastmalchian, who is often at odds with the show's lead, a deadly robot played by Alexander Skarsgård. Luckily, I got a chance to sit down with Dastmalchian to discuss his role in "Murderbot" season 1, whether or not he'll be in season 2, and a separate discussion on his performance in the summer movie "The Life of Chuck." So, without further ado, let's dive into my discussion with Dastmalchian about "Murderbot." If you've been keeping up with "Murderbot," you'll know that Gurathin and Murderbot have had a rocky relationship at best and a desire to eliminate the other at worst. But as the show goes on, you realize that these two might have more in common than not. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. When I asked Dastmalchian about this connection between the two characters, he too commented on the fact that he felt the connection grow as he delved further into the story. In the end, I hope as people go on this journey with these characters, they'll see that these two beings may have a lot more in common than they ever would have imagined in the beginning of the story. "I definitely felt there was a bizarre, contrasting, conflicting, competitive kinship between SecUnit [Murderbot] and Gurathin," he elaborated. "But I didn't realize until we were deep into the telling of the story, how interconnected and how kindred these two beings really are." He went on to say that part of the connection between the two characters comes down to the fact that humans and machines aren't so different. "I think what's fascinating is us as humans, as difficult as it is to look at sometimes, are, in a way, a biological machine, an apparatus that is informed by data and learning and a whole metric of experiences," he explained to me. "Gurathin, having come from a place of deep betrayal, abandonment, anxiety, fear and addiction, is desperate, not only for the, you know, approval and I think, validation of his team, especially Mensah," he said, referring to the shocking moment in episode 7 where we learn about Gurathin's past as a spy on Mensah (Noma Dumezweni) and Preservation Alliance. "But he's also got a heightened awareness of threat levels. And he's constantly on the lookout for any threats, not only to his own safety, but to the safety of the people he loves," Dastmalchian continued, comparing Gurathin to Skarsgård's Murderbot. "If you think about it, the SecUnit has been programmed not as much through life experience up until this point as through the programming of being a construct. What is the actual difference? What makes one more valid and one less valid? In the end, I hope as people go on this journey with these characters, they'll see that these two beings may have a lot more in common than they ever would have imagined in the beginning of the story." Of course, before I could let Dastmalchian go, I had to ask him about a potential "Murderbot" season 2. "I don't know!" he said excitedly. "I haven't heard anything! So that's the only answer I can give." "I wish I knew," he continued. "There would be nothing I would love more than getting to climb back in a hopper and go to wherever you know PresAux [Preservation Alliance] is hanging out because I love them so much. This cast is so important to me, and this experience and this character have changed my life, and I would love to get to tell more of the stories." But even if he's not in season 2, which was just officially greenlit mere hours before the season 1 finale (h/t The Hollywood Reporter), Dastmalchian just hopes more people start reading Martha Wells' "The Murderbot Diaries" books after checking out the show. "Martha Wells has crafted such an insanely beautiful universe, and I know people who've read the books are already aware of that, he said before we wrapped up our conversation. "But I hope that the show leads people back to reading her books." If you're not already subscribed to Apple's streaming service, sign up today and catch up on "Murderbot" at a discount. Right now, you can score Apple TV Plus for just $4.99 a month for two months from Prime Video. This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members and is only available when signing up through Prime Video subscriptions. It'll also be gone once Prime Day ends on July 11, so act fast. 50% OFF! Right now is the perfect time to get Apple TV Plus. You get hit original shows like "Severence," "Ted Lasso," "Silo" and (of course) "Murderbot." You also get original movies like "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "Napoleon," with "F1: The Movie" coming later this year. This deal is only available for Prime members through Prime Video, though, and it ends once Prime Day is over. So act fast. DEAL ENDS JULY 11! If that deal doesn't speak to you, or you already have Apple TV Plus, make sure to check out all the other Prime Day streaming service deals right now and save some serious cash. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Gizmodo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘The Institute' Is a Solid Stephen King Adaptation
Stephen King is easily the most-adapted horror author; his books are so popular, many of the biggest ones have been adapted multiple times. Right now, there's both a Carrie series and a feature take on The Stand in the works, and Edgar Wright's The Running Man just dropped its first trailer. With the same titles seemingly caught in Hollywood's revolving door, it can be tempting to forget King is still regularly publishing new stories. That's one reason The Institute is such an intriguing new arrival: it's based on a book that came out just six years ago. Along with The Life of Chuck—a non-horror tale based on a 2020 novella—it seems like King's more recent creations are finally being added into the mix. That said, The Institute contains quite a few of King's familiar trademarks, especially its blend of 'kids with powers' and 'kids working together against evil.' The new series adaptation arriving on MGM+ remains mostly faithful to the page, with a few tweaks, most notably aging its main character, Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), up a few years from 12 to 14. That makes the physical and mental trauma he endures easier for the viewer to take. Just a little bit easier, though. He goes through a lot, as do his peers at the title facility, where he wakes up one morning having gone to sleep in the cozy home he shared with his parents, nice folks not quite sure what to make of their son's genius brain. The slippery team running the Institute, including Mary-Louise Parker as head administrator Mrs. Sigsby, has an excellent idea of what they'd like to use it for, though they're actually more interested in Luke's budding telekinesis. From the moment Luke opens his eyes, it's clear we've entered a Bad Place in that classic King tradition. Luke quickly bonds with the other young 'recruits' in what feels like a locked-down hospital ward, except the kids have a lot of freedom within its walls, and they all have psychic powers. Imagine variations on Carrie and The Shining's Danny Torrance, except kidnapped and forced to undergo painful tests designed to draw out their abilities. What (clearly sinister) purpose this serves is The Institute's central mystery, along with the adjacent plot of Luke using his impressive intellect to start puzzling through an escape plan. Elsewhere in The Institute, we follow the parallel story of Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes from Westworld and Shadow and Bone), who drifts into the small town of Dennison River Bend, Maine, intent on leaving a devastating ordeal behind. He's hired as a 'night knocker'—presumably a Stephen King-coined colloquialism—which basically means he's a police-adjacent night watchman. On his first patrol, he meets Annie (Mary Walsh), the local eccentric, whose warnings about what 'they don't want you to know' seed The Institute's thematic dives into heightened awareness, paranoia, and X-Files-style conspiracy theories. Though Tim is very insistent that he prefers to mind his own business, we can quickly see he and Luke are destined to meet, especially when Tim takes an interest in that weird old 'infectious disease lab' perched in the woods outside town. But even if The Institute's plot feels mapped out from the beginning—and honestly the story's a bit familiar even if you're not a King junkie—it's still entertaining, even if it lacks the stylistic flair of Stranger Things, which came out before the novel but famously borrows a lot of those King-honed story points. Amid the cast, Barnes and Parker are the most recognizable faces. Barnes is believable as a nice guy with a bad past, but Parker is the standout. Mrs. Sigsby is a quirky prison warden type who was probably once a decent person but has long since tilted her moral compass in the worst possible direction. The Institute—a secretive Cold War relic chugging along despite a constant staffing problem, run by a powerful yet faceless boss who checks in via conference call—fosters tension among co-workers, and Sigsby clashes with everyone. Though they're ostensibly serving the same cause, there's no trust among the ranks, with the cadaverous Mr. Stackhouse (veteran horror actor Julian Richings) a particularly worrisome wild card. As Luke, Freeman (the son of actor Martin Freeman) makes an impression; he's a kid with haunted eyes and a mind that never stops working. The other young actors are also good, which is important since they do most of The Institute's emotional heavy lifting. This might not quite be the Losers' Club uniting to take on Pennywise, but The Institute spells out similar lessons about learning to lean on your friends when you need help, as well as the importance of working together to beat the odds. We've seen it in King stories before, but there's a good reason for that: few arcs are more satisfying. And this one also happens to involve superpowers. The Institute premieres July 13 on MGM+. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Life of Chuck' review: Soulful Stephen King movie is 2025's best so far
'The Life of Chuck' doesn't have any demonic clowns, killer pets or telekinetic kids. It's also, in its own way, the most amazing story Stephen King ever told, a brilliant novella that begins at the end of the world and winds up in a haunted attic. Fortunately, 'Chuck' (★★★★ out of four; rated R; in select theaters June 6, nationwide June 13) is made by a filmmaker who gets King like none other. Writer/director Mike Flanagan ('Doctor Sleep,' 'Gerald's Game') captures the uplifting and bittersweet qualities of King's prose and brings his own gift for character depth to the story of Charles Krantz, played by four talented thespians (including Tom Hiddleston). Flanagan, also to his credit, goes all in on the legendary author's unconventional storytelling, a lifetime that unfurls in three acts and in reverse. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox The first centers not on Chuck but schoolteacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor). He's making his way through pointless parent-teacher conferences even as the end times have arrived – the internet's down, the world's falling apart, etc. – and people are dealing in whatever ways they can. Some walk around like zombies waiting for the sky to fall (literally or figuratively), and people go to jobs though there's nothing for them to do. What really weirds Marty out, though, is the strange billboards emblazoned '39 great years! Thanks Chuck!' and the image of Chuck at his desk with a cup of coffee. Marty reaches out to his nurse ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan), who's also at a loss about what the deal is with this Chuck guy, and they reconnect as everything grows dark around them. We finally meet the mysterious Chuck in the rousing second act, with a sequence straight out of 'La La Land.' Our man is an accountant skipping out on a day of work who winds up in a busy square and, inexplicably, begins to dance to the beat of a drumming busker. Chuck enlists the help of a young woman named Janice (Annalise Basso) and they enjoy a crowd cheering to the exhilaration of their samba- and swing-fueled moves. But the Capraesque third act is where the movie finally reveals itself, as Cody Flanagan, Benjamin Pajak and Jacob Tremblay play Chuck in various stages as a kid navigating joy, tragedy and a child-like understanding of a bigger picture. This part of the story also employs some smooth moves – including Michael Jackson's moonwalk – as well as some deeper thoughts courtesy of Chuck's lovably crusty grandpa Albie, played by Mark Hamill. Sure, he's forever Luke Skywalker, but Albie is just as much a role he was born to play. Narrated in folksy style by Nick Offerman, the movie features a deep bench of supporting actors, many from the regular troupe Flanagan has employed for movies and Netflix horror shows such as 'Midnight Mass.' Kate Siegel has a pivotal role as Chuck's English teacher, while Matthew Lillard and Carl Lumbly shine in small but poignant parts amid an impending apocalypse. All the Chucks are spot on as well: Hiddleston is a magnetic Everyman, even in limited screen time as the lead of the movie, and young Pajak notches a star-making turn opposite Hamill. Every member of the cast contributes in a small way to the collective beauty of the soulful film's themes, its exploration of humanity and grand existential questions. Who do you want by your side when it all ends? What happens if you choose practicality over creativity? Do you make the most of every moment of your life? It's a thought-provoking, big-hearted effort where you can see Chuck as one ordinary guy or a reflection of the multitudes contained within us all. Flanagan juggles a variety of moods and emotions throughout, so even if they seem disparate alone, they all make sense in context. There's impending doom, buoyant revelry, intimate drama, coming-of-age wonder and, yes, even some unnerving terror. (We are dealing with the author of "It" and "The Shining," so it can't all be puppies and rainbows.) If you want to go for the really scary stuff, there are plenty of other King movies for that. 'Chuck' instead is something truly special, a moving fantasy of a life well lived and no dance step left untaken. Based on the Stephen King novella, "The Life of Chuck" is in select theaters June 6 and nationwide June 13. The film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association "for language." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Life of Chuck' review: Stephen King ponders meaning of life
