Entertainment Inquiry #7: Fall Movies, 'Fifty Shades Darker', 'Narcos' And more!

Since there is only so much time in the day to read 750+word reviews, it seemed right to boil down all of the sentiments expressed on Eclectic Pop into a simple question and answer format; getting to the point in a concise and clear manner that transforms those broader analyses into a bite-size read.

If there is an entertainment topic you want a quick answer to, the Entertainment Inquiry aims to give it to you. These questions have been self-generated by taking into account current hot topics and the interests you already come to Eclectic Pop for coverage on.

In this edition, you will find inquiries about the “Fifty Shades Darker” trailer, the Venice Film Festival, the recent season of “Narcos”, what’s worth watching on Netflix, Emmy predictions and more…

[Image by Universal Pictures]
Question: What fall movies are worth getting the most excited about?

Peaking personal interest is the thriller “The Girl on the Train”. It is based off of the best-selling novel of the same name and stars Emily Blunt as a recent divorcee who becomes entranced by the goings-on of another couple, during her daily commute. All of which, lands her in the center of a missing persons investigation.

The trailer hinted at a gritty thriller with erotic undertones that place it within striking distance of the 90’s golden era of suspense films. The cast taking this “Train” is more than formidable. Not only do you have the stellar Blunt leading the ensemble.

You also have “White Queen” breakout Rebecca Ferguson, the mega-talented Luke Evans, “Point Break” lead Edgar Ramirez, “Leftovers” star Justin Theroux and the always reliable Allison Janney, among others. “The Girl on the Train” is gearing up to be one of fall’s most anticipated rides.

Question: Any Primetime Emmy Awards predictions?

The only thing that I’m fairly certain of going into the 68th Emmy Awards is that “Game of Thrones” will be one of the night’s biggest winners (yay!) and one of its stars (first-time nominee Kit Harington) is pretty much a lock to take home the Best Supporting Actor statue, becoming only the second "Thrones" actor to win an award for their performance on the smash series.

To this point, Peter Dinklage is the only overall acting winner from "Thrones" period. If he wins, it will be a well-deserved victory for Harington, whose arc as Jon Snow in Season 6 was the talk of TV.

Meanwhile, the Best Supporting Actress category could yield a first-time victory for a "Thrones" actress. However, it is a tight race between front-runner Lena Headey (nominated for her turn as Cersei Lannister) and Dame Maggie Smith, who could easily win for her performance in the final season of "Downton Abbey".

Due to that it's tough to say if one of "Thrones'" ladies will make Emmy history for the show. The good news is they have 3 contenders ready to make it happen. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) are also nominated.  The other major categories are wider open. Expect “The Americans” to possibly garner some long-clamored for appreciation.

[Image by Focus Features]
Question: What were the big movies out of the Venice Film Festival?

The biggest story out of Venice was “Nocturnal Animals”, which began building its buzz at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. The dramatic thriller is directed by Tom Ford and stars Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal as a divorced couple, who are brought back into each other’s orbit when the ex-husband pens a violent novel, he dedicates to his former wife. It won the Grand Jury Prize at TVFF and based on the trailer alone, it is easy to picture why.

A fashion designer, Ford has infused his stylistic symmetry to a movie that looks as visually stimulating as one of his wearable designs. Gyllenhaal has been on a recent streak script-wise, cementing himself as an actor with impeccable taste. After hitting a slight commercial and critical snag with “Demolition” earlier this year, he is primed to prove why that was a fluke.

Question: What is “Gossip Girl” star Ed Westwick up to these days?

Since starring in the rightfully short-lived ABC crime drama “Wicked City”, Westwick has starred in the straight-to-DVD thriller “Billionaire Ransom”. Next up, he is set to co-star alongside Rupert Grint and Dougray Scott in the television adaptation of Guy Ritchie’s 2000 cult fave “Snatch”.

Question: How does the second season of “Narcos” compare with the first?

Let’s put it this way, it has been nearly a week since I finished binge watching Season 2 and I still cannot stop thinking about it. The second season of “Narcos” is a visceral haunt that deserves way more attention than it is currently receiving in the mainstream media.

There truly cannot be enough praised heaped upon it as a crime drama. It has earned a seat alongside both its critically lauded, movie and TV predecessors. When it comes to quality, it is Netflix’s most consistent original series. For more thoughts, check out my review of Season 2, Episode 1 here and a list of the Top 5 Takeaways from Season 2 here.

[Image by Focus Features]
Question: The “Fifty Shades Darker” trailer premiered this week; thoughts?

When it was announced that director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who had impeccably adapted the first novel’s feel, was not going to helm the follow-up, there was cause for concern. Based on the trailer, those fears have not been completely quelled.

Dakota Johnson is as spot-on as ever as Anastasia Steele and the film appears to be toying with the iconic imagery of “Eyes Wide Shut” so the franchise is headed in a different direction, in terms of tonality with this sequel. Not necessarily a bad one; just different.

Question: What is a great thriller worth streaming on Netflix?

“13 Cameras” is a creepy movie about a video voyeur who wires a young couple’s home and watches their every move. It is one of the more original thrillers of its kind and easily one of Netflix’s better offerings, regardless of genre. 

Question: What’s next for Tom Hardy?

Given that there is no current premiere date for Hardy’s FX miniseries “Taboo”, the next project audiences are likeliest to see him in is the WWII film “Dunkirk”. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk” reunites Hardy with his “Inception” and “Dark Knight Rises” director.

The size of Hardy’s role is not currently known and given that the ensemble is so vast, it will probably not be a large one. UPDATE: "Taboo" is now expected to premiere sometime in early 2017. Therefore placing its release date before "Dunkirk", which is set to bow on July 21, 2017.


Do you have a question for the Eclectic Pop's Entertainment Inquiry? If so, share in the comment section below and it may be answered in a future column!

[Featured Image by Universal Pictures/Focus Features]

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