New Movies to Watch This Week: ‘Happiest Season,’ ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ ‘Superintelligence’

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentChiara Bellosi, whose first work, “Ordinary Justice,” launched from Berlin’s Generation 14plus section in 2020, is back with “Swing Ride” (“Calcinculo”) about an overweight 15-year-old named Benedetta pining for attention in an Italian province where she falls in love with the skinny non-binary Amanda.A key difference between the two films is that while “Ordinary Justice,” which examined the lives of two families on opposite sides of a murder case, originated from a deeply researched screenplay that Bellosi wrote, “Swing Ride” — premiering in Panorama on Feb. 13 — stems from a prizewinning script proposed to her by Carlo Cresto Dina, her producer, who also discovered Alice Rohrwacher (“Happy as Lazzaro”) and is known for nurturing the cream of Italy’s new cinematic crop.   “It’s a very different process; it was the first time that I had to start from a world that didn’t germinate from me,” said Bellosi about working from the script penned by Maria Teresa Venditti and Luca De Bei that won Italy’s prestigious Solinas prize in 2018.It was like moving into a new house that she had to make her own, she said.“I worked with the writers; I wanted to make a few tweaks and we did that together,” she added, noting that initially “it was a leap into the void.” But directing from their screenplay actually ended up giving her “more freedom” than her previous pic because “the container is already there; but you can go pretty wild with the rest.”This freedom also made it more fun.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMK2 Films, the banner behind Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World,” has boarded “Love Life,” the anticipated next film of laureled Japanese director Koji Fukada. Fukada’s credits include the 2016 movie “Harmonium” which won the jury prize at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, as well as “A Girl Missing” which played at Toronto. His latest film, “The Real Thing” was part of Cannes 2020’s Official Selection.

K.J. Yossman Fresh from appearing in Netflix hit Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up,” Mark Rylance’s latest big screen outing is “The Outfit,” in which he stars as Leonard, a 1950s tailor. It is a role that could not be more dissimilar to the fictional megalomaniac billionaire Peter Isherwell, whom Rylance plays in McKay’s disaster movie.Written and directed by Graham Moore, the Oscar-winning scribe behind “The Imitation Game,” “The Outfit” sees Rylance star as a Savile Row tailor who has fled across the Atlantic to escape his tragic past.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentTrustNordisk has closed a flurry of sales on a pair of 3D-animated family features, “Little Allan — The Human Antenna” and “The Super,” underscoring the market appeal of independent youth-skewing movies.“Little Allan – The Human Antenna” marks Danish film Amalie Naesby Fick’s follow up to her commercially successful debut “The Incredible Story of The Giant Pear,” which premiered in the the Generation Kplus section at Berlin in 2018. This year, the helmer has her daring drama series “Sex” selected for the Berlinale Series.The film takes place during summer vacation, when introverted, 11-year old Allan starts acting as a human antenna for his old neighbor, who thinks a huge invasion fleet from the outer space is on its way.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorAhead of Sunday’s world premiere of documentary “1341 Frames of Love and War,” which plays in Berlinale Special, Variety spoke to Israeli writer/director Ran Tal about the film and its subject, Israeli war photographer Micha Bar-Am.In some ways “Frames” continues Tal’s interest in Israeli history evident in his previous work, “What If? Ehud Barak on War and Peace,” which centered on the former prime minister of Israel. Bar-Am was born in Berlin in 1930, but grew up in what became Israel, and across a five decade-long career as a photographer he documented many of the major episodes – in particular the wars – in the life of the young country, founded in 1948.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentRAI Com is launching sales at the online EFM on Giuseppe Piccioni’s Fascist-era drama ‘L’Ombra del giorno,” starring Italian A-lister Riccardo Scamarcio (“Three Floors”) and Benedetta Porcaroli (“Baby,” “The Catholic School”).Pic, which Scamarcio produced, is a love story with a thriller twist set in 1938, two years before Italy entered World War II. It unfolds entirely in the central Italian town of Ascoli Piceno, a hidden gem with gorgeous medieval monuments, churches and piazzas.The film’s title translates as “The Shadow of the Day,” a reference to the darkness of Fascism.Luciano (Scamarcio), a wounded World War I veteran and a sympathizer of Fascism like most Italians at the time, runs a classy restaurant overlooking the town’s ancient square.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentAdding to its notable lineup in Latin American movies, Paris-based sales agent MPM Premium has taken international sales rights to “Fogaréu,” from writer-director Flávia Neves, part of Brazil’s new wave of female filmmakers, which is one of the most exciting developments the country’s cinema currently has going for it.MPM Premium is introducing the film at this week’s Berlin Festival, where it world premieres in Panorama on Feb. 15.First glimpsed at 2020’s Ventana Sur project market, “Fogaréu” shares a sense of attitude and a feminist agenda and a visual verve with fellow Brazilian Ventana Sur titles “The Pink Cloud,” Iuli Gerbase’s a sci-fi character-driven thriller, and “The Joy of Things,” Thais Fujinaga’s portrait of motherhood, also playing at the same market.

Darius Rucker's favorite Super Bowl Sunday tradition involves spending time with his son. The country music star opened up about having the opportunity to attend Super Bowls with his son Jack in a new interview with Fox News Digital. "I've been going a lot in the past few years and taking my son, so that's kind of our thing," Rucker explained.

It’s been nearly 30 years since Kristy Swanson slayed a vampire – but these days, she’s happily finding her footing on a ranch. The actress stars in Pure Flix’s streaming series "Sons of Thunder: Redemption." It tells the tale of a former biker gang member (Rocky Myers) who decides to seek forgiveness from his ex-fiancee at her California horse ranch that is about to close down.The ranch owner (Swanson) decides to host a fundraising rodeo, but trouble isn’t far behind.The show also stars Lorenzo Lamas of "Falcon Crest" and "Renegade" fame. Kristy Swanson attends the 2017 Monster Mania Con on March 10, 2017, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Jason Momoa is enjoying a day out with a friend.

Super Bow LVI pitting the Los Angeles Rams against the Cincinnati Bengals kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the Rams’ home field. The game will air live on NBC as well as for the first time on the Peacock streaming service and Spanish-language network Telemundo.

Zachary Quinto and Lukas Gage are hitting the red carpet!

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are about to be on everyone’s television screens thanks to their Super Bowl commercial.

It was yet another disappointing day for Manchester United as they once again took the lead in a match but didn't come away the winners.

Doja Cat is bringing the heat to a Super Bowl party!

Netflix is filling up your queue with holiday cheer! December 2020 will bring a ton of new titles to the streaming service, including new and old Christmas movies and TV shows, as well as plenty of non-holiday fare.Beginning Dec. 1, Netflix is releasing the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore rom-com, as well as,,, the original movies and more, including : andContinuing on in the month, Netflix is premiering, about the life of the beloved late singer, Selena Quintanilla,, which features star Chadwick Boseman, who tragically died from complications of colon cancer at age 43 this past August, and several runs of, which was of course helmed by Alex Trebek, who died of pancreatic cancer earlier this month at age 80.For U.S.

Chadwick Boseman's birthday in a special way. The opening montage of has been altered to honor Boseman on whatwould have been his 44th birthday. Boseman died on Aug.

Marvel Studios has updated the ‘Black Panther’ intro to include a tribute for Chadwick Boseman

Black Panther is paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.

The late actor Chadwick Boseman will be honored in the original Black Panther with a new opening montage highlighting his appearance in the title role.

Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman's birthday.The actor, who played T'Challa in MCU outings such as Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame in addition to the superhero's standalone film, died from colon cancer on August 28, 2020. He would have turned 44 years old today (November 29).The new intro was shared by Geeks of Color on Twitter:Disney has updated the Marvel Studios intro for 'Black Panther' on Disney Plus in remembrance of the late Chadwick Boseman.

Disney+ have shared a new intro sequence to Black Panther on the streaming service in tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.When viewing the 2018 film, the traditional Marvel Studios logo in the introduction credits is usually slowly filled up by stars from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Today (November 29), the letters are filled entirely by Chadwick Boseman, with footase included from Black Panther, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.See the new credits, which have been shared to mark what would’ve been Boseman’s 44th birthday, below.Disney has updated the Marvel Studios intro for 'Black Panther' on Disney Plus in remembrance of the late Chadwick Boseman.

Chadwick Boseman's 44th birthday, fans continue to mourn his devastating death in August after a secret four-year battle with colon cancer. But although his career and life were tragically cut short, the actor'siconic on-screen body of work — and his incredible deeds off-screen — will undoubtedly be remembered forever.Boseman was raised in Anderson, South Carolina, and attended college at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

A big rumor was going around this afternoon about Rihanna possibly being in the cast of Black Panther 2, however, it doesn’t seem to be true at all.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales have found a second nod to Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman in the Insomniac Games title.A tribute to the actor, who died in August at the age of 43, had already been spotted in the game’s credits, but now another reference to Boseman has been found in the form of a street named after him.Spider-Man: Miles Morales features a dedication and tribute to Chadwick Boseman in its end credits

Black Panther 2 next July, it is being reported.Original plans to begin production next March were delayed after the sudden death of star Chadwick Boseman in August.Now, July 2021 has become the next proposed date to begin filming the sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Sources have said that the shoot will begin in Atlanta, Georgia next summer, and last for six months or more.It has also been revealed that Narcos star Tenoch Huerta will be joining the as-yet-untitled Black Panther 2, while Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett all expected to return to their roles from the original film.One thing we won’t see in the second film, though, is a body double of the late Chadwick Boseman.

sudden passing of its star Chadwick Boseman.Shooting will begin in Atlanta in July, 2021, and will last about six months, according to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter.Many of the cast members, including Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett, will be returning to Wakanda, the outlet reported.However, Marvel has remained tight-lipped about how they plan to proceed without Boseman.

Chadwick Boseman's death has left an indelible mark in Hollywood, especially in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) where he was idolised as Black Panther. Before the heartbreaking news made its way, Boseman was supposed to kickstart shooting for Black Panther 2 in March 2021.

“Black Panther” is heading back to production – next summer.

A new report is revealing new details about the upcoming movie Black Panther 2, which was put on hold following the death of franchise star Chadwick Boseman.

died in August from colon cancer at age 43.In the very good “Ma Rainey,” the actor plays Levee, a hotshot 32-year-old trumpet player for the title character, the legendary Mother of the Blues, in the 1920s. They’re in Chicago at a recording studio to lay down some of her now-classic tracks.It will not be a pleasant afternoon.While his bandmates Cutler (Colman Domingo), Slow Drag (Michael Potts) and Toledo (Glynn Turman) all but bow to the famous Ma (Viola Davis), an impertinent Levee has big dreams for more modern music — and wants his own band performing it.

Peter Debruge Chief Film CriticIn “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” introductions matter. Whether or not audiences know the real Ma Rainey’s reputation as “mother of the blues,” August Wilson ensures that this musical pioneer is a larger-than-life character even before she steps foot onstage.

Chadwick Boseman's widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, has been appointed personal representative of the late actor's estate with limited authority after Boseman died without a will.According to court documents obtained by ET on Thursday, the value of Boseman's estate is $939,000, which Ledward is in possession of now. The documents also state that the appraisal of non-cash property in the inventory will be made by a Probate Referee.In October, Ledward asked a judge to make her an administrator with limited authority of his estate and filed a probate case in Los Angeles.