I don’t know about you, but I’ll never forget reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm in high school. It’s one of those core-memory books I have because of how timeless the allegorical novella from 1945 is. Well, now Animal Farm is among the upcoming book-to-screen adaptations on the 2026 movie schedule, and the new trailer previews Andy Serkis’ approach to it.

Now, Andy Serkis has been working on helming an Animal Farm movie since back in 2012, originally as a performance capture movie. Ultimately, the director/voice actor decided to make it as a traditional 3D animated film geared toward ages 11 and up. While the previous trailer for it showcased the more lighthearted aspects of the film, this new look at Animal Farm (in the video above) offers perhaps a more balanced showcase of how the classic is being handled.

The movie starts with a group of animals thinking they are “going on vacation” before they realize they’re being sent to a slaughterhouse and rebel against their humans. Just like the novella, they decide to take over the farm for themselves, thus calling it “Animal Farm.” Once they do so, they have to decide how the farm will be ruled. Two pigs ultimately assume command and start to adopt rules on the farm that create inequality among the different animals, thus becoming a dictatorship.

While there’s definitely some cute family-friendly elements to this Animal Farm that may seem off-kilter to those who read the novella, this new look seems to skew closer to the source material. About halfway through this trailer, you can see how some of Animal Farm’s residents start to be treated unfairly. Though there is a key difference to note in this Animal Farm, with the protagonist being a new character, a piglet named Lucky, who decides to “rebel” against the dictatorship.

The animated film was initially going to be produced by Netflix back in 2018, but was ultimately made by Cinesite, Aniventure, and Imaginarium Productions. It is being distributed through Angel Studios. The movie boasts a star-studded cast, with Seth Rogen as Napoleon, Gaten Matarazzo as Lucky, along with Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, Woody Harrelson, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, and Iman Vellani among the voice cast.

Per a press release by Angel Studios, the producers of this Animal Farm worked closely with George Orwell’s estate to “intentionally” reimagine “certain roles and character identities to broaden the film’s appeal to younger audiences.” When speaking about his film, Serkis said he wanted this version of the classic to “feel contemporary and genuinely connect with younger audiences”.

Previously, Animal Farm was adapted into movies in 1954 and as a live-action movie in 1999. This new Animal Farm is coming to theaters on May 1.

We know that the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of the newest Hunger Games story, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be violent and visceral. So, I’ve been curious about what it’s been like to film such an intense story. Well, McKenna Grace just opened up about that, as she revealed what it’s like to be “yelled at” by Glenn Close while shooting their scenes together.

Ever since Grace was cast as District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner in Sunrise on the Reaping, she’s been getting questions about filming the highly anticipated project on the 2026 movie schedule. Most recently, when she was asked about the film, she opened up about working alongside Glenn Close, who will play District 12’s Capitol escort Drusilla Sickle. Speaking to Variety about what it’s like to get yelled at by the legendary actress, she said:

You know, I’d imagine that being “yelled at” by Glenn Close while acting is fun. I mean, to be screamed at by a legend in a professional capacity isn’t something you get to do every day. Plus, while most of the aggressive moments in Sunrise on the Reaping are deeply serious and tragic, the relationship between Maysilee and Drusilla in the book is catty and, at times, will make you laugh.

Without spoiling too much, the two outspoken women despise each other, and it results in some moments of pure anger and hatred. Those scenes are bound to be wild and loud on-screen, and based on Grace’s comments about working with Close, it sounds like they will be.

Plus, as you can see in the image above and as the young actress pointed out, the Wake Up Dead Man star is unrecognizable in Sunrise on the Reaping. Her look is high camp, and Drusilla is the kind of ridiculous Capitol caricature that helps emphasize why that place is so terrible. So, Maysilee's challenging her and picking fights with her is both warranted and entertaining.

Now, I truly cannot wait to see this on screen. Overall, my hype for this movie is already high, because the Sunrise on the Reaping cast is stacked, the trailer for the second Hunger Games prequel is amazing, and the book it's based on is incredible. Plus, the fact that this is Haymitch’s story, which people have been wanting, makes it even better. Now, we can look forward to seeing the confrontational scene that Close and Grace shot together, too.

So, brace yourselves, everyone. We’re getting closer to our return to Panem and witnessing the 50th Hunger Games. It’s going to be an intense, and yes, it will include McKenna Grace and Glenn Close yelling, and you’re going to want to see it all on a big screen come November 20.

The trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping made me emotional, as I was in my feels seeing a young Haymitch selected as tribute for the Quarter Quell ahead of his heartbreaking journey. Aside from that, though, I was also struck by the first look at Glenn Close as the Capitol chaperone who picked Haymitch. The Academy Award nominee looked so unrecognizable that I was shocked, and even her co-star, Elle Fanning, was apparently in disbelief over her transformation.

Back when I saw the first Hunger Games movie, I had no idea Elizabeth Banks played Effie Trinkett, given she was under those big wigs and wearing theatrical makeup. With Glenn Close’s character, Drusilla Sickle, serving as the Effie of Haymitch’s generation, it makes sense that she'd look so extreme. Still, I wasn't expecting it to be THAT jarring! Elle Fanning, who was fans’ top choice to play young Effie, spoke to Variety about Close's transformation for their upcoming book adaptation, and I totally relate:

Honestly, when I first watched the trailer, I couldn’t pinpoint Glenn Close. So you can imagine my shock when I later found out it was the Fatal Attraction star. The character of Drusilla Sickle was described in the book as having visible signs of plastic surgery, so I'd say the makeup team did a great job of capturing that for Close's portrayal. With the ginger bob wig, fake teeth and prosthetics she has going on, the American actress absolutely disappears into her role.

Elle Fanning and I weren't the only ones shocked by her co-star's transformation. After the Sunrise on the Reaping trailer landed, fans reacted to Close's look with similar disbelief. I particularly love how someone even compared Close’s Drusilla Sickle look to Weapons’ Aunt Gladys! That comparison is spot-on, given both characters rock ginger bangs and have malicious personalities.

Leave it to the Golden Globe winner to continue to provide shock and awe with the physical transformations as has been the case in some of Glenn Close's best movies. For instance, the actress was very unrecognizable in Hook, for which she played a pirate on the antagonist’s ship. The same rang true for her turn as the titular character in Albert Nobbs, who was a transgender male butler in 19th-century Dublin.

Close’s Oscar-nominated role as “Mamaw” in Hillbilly Elegy saw her sport a wig and aging spots while playing JD Vance’s grandmother. And, of course, fans can’t forget that when Close played a live-action Disney villain, Cruella de Vil, she wore a black-and-white wig and donned claw-like nails.

With her new role as Drusilla Sickle, Glenn Close continues to prove just why she's one of the queens of role transformations. Of course, now, I'm just ready to see more of her in the role, and the same goes for Elle Fanning's turn as Effie.

Be sure to see both Close and Fanning in their respective roles when The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping in theaters on November 20th amid the 2026 movie schedule.

Major spoilers for Wake Up Dead Man are ahead! Read with caution, and watch the latest Knives Out mystery with a Netflix subscription.

I get it, connecting the Knives Out movies to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's movies feels random and potentially illogical. However, now that we’re three mysteries deep with Benoit Blanc thanks to the release of Wake Up Dead Man on the 2025 movie schedule, a pattern has been created that makes this connection undeniable. So, without further ado, let's talk about the fan theory involving Rian Johnson’s beloved whodunnits and how the MCU plays into their outcomes.

Why Is There A Fan Theory That Mixes Knives Out With Marvel?

Alright, this all starts with the Knives Out cast, including Chris Evans. When that movie came out in 2019, he was the only actor in the ensemble connected to the MCU, and his character, Ransom, killed Christopher Plummer’s Harlan.

Now, cut to 2022. Glass Onion was released, and it featured notable Marvel movie stars Edward Norton, who was in The Incredible Hulk before Mark Ruffalo took over as Bruce Banner, and Dave Bautista, AKA Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Notably, the cast also included Kathryn Hahn, who was in WandaVision and Agatha All Along, and Jessica Henwick, who appeared in The Defenders, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. However, those are shows, and this pattern only pertains to actors who starred in MCU movies.

In Glass Onion, Edward Norton’s Miles ended up killing both Bautista’s Duke Cody and Janelle Monáe’s Andi.

So, this all created the theory – which An0nym355 summarized on Reddit – that if a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie actor is in a Knives Out mystery, they will be either the killer or a victim and never an innocent survivor or bystander. An important distinction to make here is that not every victim is an MCU star. Rather, every time a MCU performer has been in one of Rian Johnson’s films, they have either done the killing or been killed. Now, with the release of Wake Up Dead Man, there’s even more merit to this connection.

How Wake Up Dead Man Perfectly Plays Into This Theory

When Josh Brolin and Jeremy Renner were cast in Wake Up Dead Man, I was immediately thinking about this theory. However, I didn’t realize at the time that Glenn Close and Thomas Haden Church were also MCU movie alums.

That’s right, along with Brolin playing the big bad Thanos and Renner portraying Hawkeye for years, Glenn Close played Nova Prime in Guardians of the Galaxy, and Thomas Haden Church was Sandman in both Spider-Man 3 and the MCU’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.

I will note that they aren't the only actors in Wake Up Dead Man with Marvel connections; however, they are the only four MCU movie stars. Kerry Washington was in 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of Silver Surfer. Also, Jeffrey Wright voices a character in the series What If…? Neither of their characters was involved in the crimes of Wake Up Dead Man. However, neither of them is an MCU movie actor, either. Washington’s Marvel movies aren’t technically in the MCU – even though Chris Evans’ Human Torch does appear in Deadpool and Wolverine. Meanwhile, Wright has only ever appeared in Marvel TV shows.

With all that being said, I thought this third Knives Out mystery would deviate from the potential pattern due to all these muddy Marvel waters. However, it did not at all; in fact, it made the theory even stronger.

In the whodunnit, the four actors with ties to MCU movies were involved in the crime. Both Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Wicks and Thomas Haden Chruch’s Samson Holt died. And the people responsible for those deaths wound up being Glenn Close’s Martha Delacroix and Jeremy Renner’s Dr. Nat Sharp.

So, in the most brilliant of ways, the well-reviewed Wake Up Dead Man played right into this fan-favorite Marvel theory while also making it more complicated and twisty. Therefore, if we ever get another Knives Out mystery, make sure you pay close attention to the cast and their connections to the MCU.

In honor of Daniel Craig's third feature outing as master investigator Benoit Blanc, I'd love to add a Southern twahy-ang to the entirety of this Wake Up Dead Man review — really give it some pahythos and chah-rick-tahr. But no matter how much I really want to dip my tootsies in those wahtuhs, I won't. For one, that schtick would just distract from the real point, which is something that Rian Johnson's Knives Out villains are known for, and I'm no villain. Second, it would take too long.

Third, and most important for our current purposes, doing so would readily be considered a silly and flighty exercise worthy of Glass Onion's gaggle of affluent knobs. And, my friends, Wake Up Dead Man does not invest any of its time in trying to be frivolous. This is church, not Silly...ville....Station. Which is all to say that though I definitely think Johnson and Craig's third teaming is brilliant, chilling, and the best yet from this murder mystery franchise, it also loses some of the winking charms and situational levity of the first two films. Necessary or not, I wanted to laugh more.

How obvious is it that I'm wearing these molasses-covered tap shoes just so I can slowly dance around the cardinal sin of spoilers? Alas, the church bells are ringing, so let us pray. In the name of the director...

Rian Johnson puts the magnifying glass on religion, faith and community.

Lest anyone think Benoit Blanc's life story is being put under the microscope here, Wake Up Dead Man is about the quirky and interconnected congregation keeping Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude up and running through hell or high falutin' reverands who dare challenge the almighty word of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks – brought to life by Josh Brolin. Brolin brings all the vim, vigor, piss, vinegar and vitriol to Wicks' psychologically sadistic sermons, and one of the biggest (mostly answered) questions viewers will have will no doubt be "Why would anyone put themselves through this?"

The yin to Wicks' da-a-ang is Josh O'Connor's Reverend Jud Duplenticy, who is initially optimistic when Jeffrey Wright's Bishop Langstrom assigns him to a small-town church whose clergy is tight with parishioners. (If you need instant gravitas with limited time on the set, few choices exist that are better than Wright.) Before long, Jud finds his eagerness stunted by Wicks and his subtly tyrannical rule over everyone in his church's pews. Yes, it is HIS church with a captital GTFO if you forget it.

Wake Up Dead Man applies a surprisingly measured approach to its religious subject matter. O'Connor convincingly personifies Jesus' New Testament teachings as a former boxer whose particularly notable crisis of conscience led him to God's graces – which obviously makes Wicks the hard-nosed Old Testament warlord. Benoit Blanc later arrives as the "proud heretic" who only aims to see things through the spectrum of logic and finds that there are indeed values in preaching more than just atheism.

Even beyond all of the moral-centric ways that religion can spice up a murder-mystery, it also sets an interesting stage for Wake Up Dead Man's central murder — remember somebody dies in this? — in a way that allows for certain expectations that aren't necessarily the norm for a murder investigation. Instead of What Would Jesus Do, this is more "What would Benoit Blanc do if faced with the combo of a seemingly impossible murder and a miracle?"

Another all-star Knives Out cast successfully keeps audiences guessing.

Daniel Craig is as dapper and charming as ever as the unstoppable Blanc, and he's once again surrounded by brilliant thespians working all the mystery's machinations. Beyond the aforementioned excellence of O'Connor and Brolin, we have a tabernacle of talent also filling out the list of potential suspects (and victims).

Glenn Close brings single-sighted zealotry to the role of Wicks' second-banana Meredith Delecroix, whose wandering eye is locked on Thomas Haden Church's Cubs-loving groundskeeper Samson Holt. The congregation consists of the secretly boozy town doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner); the successful and self-minded sci-fi author Lee Ross (Andrew Scott); the disabled and cure-seeking former concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny); the stressed and put-upon lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington); and the hopeful politician Sy Draven (Daryl McCormack).

Part of the fun of Knives Out films has become seeing the prim and proper Blanc sharing space and ideas with groups of characters he'd likely never mix it up with just for pleasure, and the same holds true with Wake Up Dead Man, even if he most closely works with Jud and the local authorities. Just watching him observe everyone else adds texture to the mystery.

Speak of the local PD, Blanc is brought to the town of Chimney Rock by police chief Geraldine Scott, played by Mila Kunis in what's arguably the least inspired casting choice. Don't get me wrong: I like Kunis and she's fine here, but the role isn't playing to either her comedic or dramatic strengths, and I can imagine others bringing something more memorable to the performance.

I appreciate Johnson stepping back from Glass Onion’s excess, but I do miss some of the silliness.

The murder and the surrounding investigation are rather miticulously laid out, with enough clues sprinkled throughout to keep audiences from falling too far behind the on-screen characters. But even when one does get a piece of the puzzle correct, there's almost always another piece waiting to be discovered that you didn't even realize was missing. In that way, Wake Up Dead Man is as fun as anything else involving church, at least to me.

However, the core concepts and themes of hellfire, damnation, judgment, shame, regret and analogous topics make it less of a joyride than Blanc's earlier cases. Which is perfectly fine, as the standalone nature of this franchise doesn't necessitate tonal similarities or a comedic balance at all. As well, the existence of Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne's Poker Face more than scratches the "serious + hilarious mystery" itch enough that it's not required here.

That's being objective, though, which is for the likes of logical blasphemer Benoit Blanc. Subjectively speaking, I personally wanted more laughs and merriment. But I still cannot deny that Wake Up Dead Man is a highbrow whodunnit that sets a new bar for the Knives Out franchise, as well as any other locked-room thrillers on the way, hand to God.

As we enter these final weeks of the year, Wake Up Dead Man, a.k.a. the third Knives Out movie, is one of the biggest releases still left to arrive on the 2025 Netflix schedule. This Benoit Blanc mystery sees Daniel Craig’s character investigating the death of Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, and among the people he’ll speak to is Glenn Close’s Martha Delacroix, Wick’s right-hand woman and a devout church lady. As it turns out, Close was well equipped to tackle this kind of character given her experience with a cult-like group as a child.

Ahead of Wake Up Dead Man beginning its limited theatrical run on the 2025 movies calendar, Variety spoke with the actress about her role in the lates Rian Johnson-helmed whodunit. The toxic Christian fundamentalism on display in the next Knives Out movie struck a chord with Close, because when she was seven years old, her parents joined the Moral Re-Armament, an international moral and spiritual movement started in 1938 by Frank Buchman. She described this movement as a “cult” in the interview, saying:

Moral Re-Armament was renamed to Initiatives of Change in 2001 and remains active in “building trust across the world’s divides.” As Glenn Close goes, her family was involved with the original movement for 15 years, and while she looks back at that time with Moral Re-Armament negatively, she was able to channel that experience into her performance as Martha Delacroix, who dedicated herself to Jefferson Hicks and helped keep the preacher’s congregation in order. Close continued:

One would think that dedication would rule out Martha Delacroix being a suspect in Wicks’ murder, but this is a Knives Out movie, so I’m not willing to rule that out entirely right now. But she’s just one of the colorful characters we’ll meet in Wake Up Dead Man, with Glenn Close’s co-stars including Josh O’Connor, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormick, Thomas Haden Church and Jeffrey Wright, among others. As with the original Knives Out and Glass Onion, Rian Johnson both directed and wrote the script.

We’ll see how Martha Delacroix fully fits into this murder mystery when Wake Up Dead Man first plays in select theaters in the United States and Canada on November 26, and then Netflix subscription holders will be able to stream it starting December 12. For those in the mood for even more Glenn Close content, check out her wild look for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

The new Hunger Games movie isn’t due to theaters until a year from now on the 2026 movie release schedule, but Reaping Day came early thanks to Lionsgate. The first trailer for Sunrise On The Reaping dropped online Thursday morning, and one thing people can’t stop talking about is Glenn Close’s role. Did you spot her?

The 78-year-old Oscar-nominated actress is the first character to be shown in the Sunrise on the Reaping trailer, as her character of Drusilla Sickle is literally rolled on stage to choose the tributes for the 50th Hunger Games. If you don’t remember seeing Close in the trailer, you’re not alone. She looks completely unrecognizable in the role, and I’m loving all the reactions. Check out this one:

Glenn Close has been known to be a chameleon across her career, but this is a new level even by her standards. Drusilla Sickle is an escort during the games – not unlike Effie Trinket in the original Hunger Games movies, but wow, does her look really take the cake. In the book, she’s an older woman with a plastic face and a memorable sense of fashion, let's say. She had thumbtacks around her face to hold it in place in the book, too, so I’d say the movie is accomplishing her physical description.

I know I didn’t even clock that it was Glenn Close when I first watched the trailer, so I’m right there with fans who are talking about her online. Here are some more reactions:

• “just found out this is Glenn Close and feeling sick to my stomach” - @sydneyskeezer
• “I thought that was Glenn Close but then I kept watching and was like ‘nah, that ain’t her’ 😂😂” - @LegacyRolo
• “I refuse to believe this is Glenn Close.” - @jacksondavid402
• “she’s always up to some insane shit” - @anxiousdeluxe

It was announced that Glenn Close would be in the new The Hunger Games cast back in June alongside Billy Porter, who’s set to play her husband, Magno Stift. A lot of people are also comparing Drisilla’s look to that of Aunt Gladys from Weapons. As you can see below:

The Hunger Games movies have always been able to comment on the ridiculous beauty standards of the rich with the costuming of the Capitol, and Glenn Close’s character certainly continues to do so in a way that brings some attention to plastic surgery. In the book, Drisilla has been taking care of Reaping Day for 25 years, and has a connection to Elle Fanning’s Effie Trinket that we’ll see in the movie.

If you’re someone who read Sunrise on the Reaping, the first trailer is packed full of moments from the book, and it’s stunning to see it come to life a year before the movie’s release date on November 20, 2026. We can’t wait to see Close and the rest of the cast really come to life in one of our most anticipated upcoming book adaptations of next year.

Kim Kardashian’s new legal drama All’s Fair hit the 2025 TV schedule this week, and the critics absolutely went off, declaring it “revolting” and “the worst television drama ever made.” The series premiered to a nice, round 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, as the reviews bemoaned its awful dialogue, denounced its stance on materialism and accused it of hating women. The reality star, meanwhile, appears unbothered by the feedback — for good reason, too, because the audience seems to be eating it up.

The Kardashians star joked about the awful response All’s Fair received from critics in a light-hearted Instagram post, where she shared photos of herself and the rest of the cast — including creator Ryan Murphy — at the premiere, interspersed with screenshots of fans’ reactions on X. She captioned the post:

Kim Kardashian has proven in the past that she can take a joke — even one at her expense — but in this case she may be justified in calling out the critics, because it seems viewers are here for this brand of melodrama.

While the All’s Fair Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score has jumped slightly to 5%, the audience's Popcornmeter is at a pretty impressive 66% from fans who were happy they decided to fire up their Hulu subscription to check it out. Some of their comments included:

• Those who get it, get it. High camp, incredible outfits and FUN!!! – Lou W
• Soap opera storylines and high fashion, sign me up! Such a fun easy watch and recommend to those who appreciate camp – Aria P
• Loved it. This show is absolutely serving its target audience. If you’re a corporate girl who loves glamour escapism, this is for you. – Red R
• I was worried I wouldn’t like this show based on other reviews, but I genuinely enjoyed it so much and can’t wait for the rest of the season. I love the fashion, over the top drama, and concept of the show. – Mayara R
• Love this show! It gives drama, fashion, laughter, and empowerment! I love it all and I want more. It’s now my #1 guilty pleasure. Don’t listen to the haters and watch for yourself. – Francisca T

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that All’s Fair’s popularity comes at least in part BECAUSE OF the negative attention it’s received, rather than in spite of it. In fact, a colleague even suggested that getting a 0% Rotten Tomatoes score was possibly the best press it could get, admitting she was “way more interested” in checking it out than before.

I, myself, watched the first three episodes and agreed with everything the critics said about the cringey dialogue and the absolute disrespect to Elizabeth Berkley and Jessica Simpson’s characters. However, there’s no part of me that’s pretending I’m not going to watch the whole series. All’s Fair may be “bad,” but it’s super fun and definitely not boring.

Given everything we’ve seen of the All’s Fair cast’s behind-the-scenes antics — from booze-fueled Fatal Attraction watch parties to the stars traipsing around in SKIMS pajamas (not to mention the viral “bush” underwear), it seems like Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash, Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson and the rest had a blast making the show, and that energy is definitely coming through to the fans.

If you want to watch All’s Fair online, the first three episodes are available now on Hulu, with new ones dropping on Tuesdays.

Glenn Close has enjoyed a successful career that boasts an impressive eight Academy Award nominations, so even as her current project on the 2025 TV schedule — All’s Fair starring Kim Kardashian — is getting panned by critics as “tacky and revolting,” the cast took some time to enjoy one of Close’s best movies, Fatal Attraction. Niecy Nash spilled the tea on their watch party, where she apparently asked the living legend about her “booby” in the film.

The cast of All’s Fair gathered at Kris Jenner’s house for a screening of Fatal Attraction after it was revealed on an episode of The Kardashians that Kim Kardashian had never seen the erotic thriller. Afterward, Sarah Paulson and Niecy Nash broke down the group’s reaction to a particularly spicy scene for ET, with Nash recalling:

I’m not sure how often body doubles were used in 1987, when the Michael Douglas thriller came out, but I’m guessing it was rare. Kim Kardashian also talked about that scene on the latest episode of The Kardashians, “I’m About to Lose My Shit,” available to stream with a Hulu subscription, saying:

Having a drink before filming an intimate scene might have worked for Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in the ‘80s, but the film’s director Adrian Lyne has said such a thing would definitely not fly today. Filming sex scenes has changed a lot since Fatal Attraction, with much stricter protocols in place to protect actors, including the presence of intimacy coordinators.

Speaking of alcohol, though, there was plenty flowing at the All’s Fair cast’s slumber party, and Niecy Nash said there was one prank they discussed but ultimately did not execute. She said:

I’m sure The American President star is not sorry he missed that. Maybe for their next drunken watch party?

If you, like Kim Kardashian, have never seen Fatal Attraction or just want to relive Glenn Close’s terrifying portrayal of one of the best female villains in film history, the movie is available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription. Be sure to keep an eye out for that very authentic booby.

Kim Kardashian is one of the most well-known celebrities in the world, so after getting praise for her acting debut on American Horror Story: Delicate, it was only natural that Ryan Murphy would jump at the chance to collaborate again. The result is All’s Fair, a new legal drama whose first three episodes hit the 2025 TV schedule on November 4, and boy are critics worked up about this one.

Starring alongside Kim Kardashian on All’s Fair (streaming now with a Hulu subscription) are Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash, Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson and Teyana Taylor, who play powerful divorce attorneys. So what has the critics calling it “the worst television drama ever made”? What’s so bad that it currently holds a 0% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes? For Angie Han of THR, it’s the failed portrayal of female empowerment, the stiff and affectless script, and the fact that when you put Kardashian next to better actors, her weaknesses are all the more obvious. Han continues:

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gives the series so far 0 stars out of 5, calling it “fascinatingly, incomprehensibly, existentially terrible” with a misguided concept of female empowerment, the “worst kissing scenes ever on screen,” and a cast where no one seems to know what they’re doing. Mangan continues:

Alison Herman of Variety points out that in a show that claims to be about female empowerment, only Episode 2 includes a major credit by a female creative — and it’s shared between executive producer Jamie Pachino and co-creator Ryan Murphy. Even with an interesting cast of guest stars, the writers can’t resist humiliating the female characters. Herman concludes:

Ben Dowell of The Times UK also says the show is not as feminist as it thinks it is. The clunky, clichéd writing, the brand name-dropping and “tawdry materialism” make for what Dowell says “may well be the worst television drama ever made.” The critic gives it 0 stars out of 5 and says:

Emily Maddick of Glamour writes that All’s Fair lacks emotion and charm, despite it’s quick pacing and dramatic reveals. It feels “Kardashian-ified,” as if it’s telling us we should aspire to behave like billionaires. Maddick’s review says:

Well, it’s pretty obvious that All’s Fair is not a hit with the critics. As of this writing, the general audience is giving it a much more generous 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, so it seems that some are finding enjoyment in all of the ridiculousness.

If you want to take a gander at Kim Kardashian’s first leading role, the first three episodes of All’s Fair can be streamed now on Hulu, with one episode dropping each Tuesday through its 10-episode run.

Every year, we watch our favorite celebrities take on a big gig by hosting Saturday Night Live, and whether you end up loving the episode and how stars like Scarlett Johansson, Keke Palmer and sad boy Timothée Chalamet perform on the long-running hit, one thing that seems to be absolutely true is that agreeing to be one of the upcoming SNL hosts is a big challenge for most of them. Now, Glenn Close has opened up about the amazing advice she got from Robin Williams before she hosted for the first time.

What Did Glenn Close Say About The Advice Robin Williams Gave Her Before Her First SNL Hosting Gig?

Most of us would never want to perform in front of hundreds of people, much less do that with the knowledge of millions of others watching us from home, but that is the job one takes on when deciding to host SNL. On top of any nerves over that, this is a sketch comedy series (which is out of the wheelhouse of many stars) where you literally cram all week for the appearance and then still have to use cue cards because dialogue and whole sketches change so frequently (among other reasons, which Bowen Yang helpfully explained).

Obviously, these are some of the reasons for anxiety from the hosts, but Back in Action star Glenn Close recently told People about the great advice she got from Robin Williams before hosting the first time in 1989, and said:

Awwww. Right? Close was quite lucky, I’d say, for having an all-star comedian like the late Robin Williams as a friend to help her out with advice so she could relax into what sounds like an intense process a little bit. For five decades now we’ve heard a lot of famous people say a lot of things about hosting SNL, but something I certainly hadn’t thought about was the basics of figuring out which of possibly dozens of sketch ideas you wanted to be a part of. Honestly? Just thinking about that is giving me choice paralysis and making me a little bit nauseous.

The star of the upcoming series, All’s Fair (which will hit the 2025 TV schedule later this year) also got lucky because things ended up going quite smoothly for her, and she added that it was “great fun” to host and then did it again for the SNL Christmas episode in 1992. Hopefully, everyone who will host the iconic show for the first time will have a friend as great and smart as Robin Williams to ask for advice.

Some of the biggest and best actors have never won competitive acting Oscars. Some of those names might completely shock you as they have certainly put in the performances that make them worthy of winning the awards. There are a few on this list who have won honorary Oscars or won in other categories, like directing or acting, but none of these stars have been bestowed with the one they probably want the most. So here is our list of actors and actresses who have shockingly never won an Oscar for acting.

Glenn Close

At the top of the list of actors who have shockingly never won an Oscar has to be the great Glenn Close. For decades Close has been putting amazing performances on film, and yet that golden statue has eluded her. She has won multiple Tonys, Emmys, and Golden Globe awards, yet, despite an amazing eight nominations for either Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, she's yet to win one.

Tom Cruise

There is no bigger "movie star" on the planet than Tom Cruise. While no one would realistically expect Cruise to be nominated for his action roles like in the Mission: Impossible movies (though, his stunt work in those movies should really be acknowledged), the Top Gun star has put in the work with Oscar-worthy performances in films like Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, Born on the Fourth of July, and Magnolia. He has been nominated four times, but he's yet to take home the prize.

Angela Bassett

In 1994 Angela Bassett lost out on the Best Actress Oscar for her incredible, transformative performance as Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It. Not to take anything away from the winner, Holly Hunter for The Piano, but it's frankly astonishing Bassett didn't win. Sadly, though she was honored in 2024 by the Academy, she still has yet to win a competitive Oscar.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp has gotten a lot of bad press in recent years and that may hurt his future chances to win an Academy Award, but frankly, it's amazing he hasn't already won multiple Oscars, and yet he's never won even one. Despite three nominations and many other amazing performances, the Pirates Of The Caribbean star is still Oscar-less.

Sigourney Weaver

It's hard to believe that Sigourney Weaver hasn't even been nominated for an Oscar since the 1980s, when she was nominated thrice. In spite of wonderful performances in huge hits like Avatar and Aliens, she's still searching for that golden statue.

Bradley Cooper

Honestly, you can almost smell the desperation on Bradley Cooper to win an Oscar and that's completely understandable. Cooper is one of the best actors of his generation and has been nominated five times in an acting category (and another seven times in other categories), but hasn't won...yet. He'll surely get one.

Annette Bening

Five nominations and no wins. That's Annette Bening's resume at the Oscars and that is shocking. For decades she's been crushing it on screen and despite those nominations, most recently in 2023 for her incredible performance in Nyad, a win has eluded her.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey may have burst on the scene in wild comedies like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask - and we can argue that amazing comedic performances don't get nearly enough love from the Academy - but his more serious roles, like in Man on the Moon and even The Truman Show are certainly worthy of Oscars. Despite multiple Golden Globe nominations and wins, the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actor has never even been nominated for an Oscar.

Amy Adams

When Amy Adams was first nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for her breakthrough performance in Junebug, a betting person would have bet everything that she would win an Oscar in her career. Yet here we are more than 20 years later and despite five more nominations, Adams is still Oscar-less.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has played every kind of character and starred in every kind of movie. From mega-franchises like Star Wars and the MCU, to more indie films like Pulp Fiction and Do The Right Thing, Jackson has done it all in Hollywood, except win a competitive Oscar and he's shockingly only been nominated once. He was honored by the Academy in 2021 for his body of work.

Scarlett Johansson

In 2020 Scarlett Johansson was nominated in both the Bet Actress category for Marriage Story and Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit. She lost out in both that year and despite an incredible career, they remain her only nominations.

Laurence Fishburne

Literally, since his breakout movie role when he was only 16 in Apocalypse Now, Laurence Fishburne has been putting in award-worthy performances. One of the most astonishing facts on this list, Fishbourne has only been nominated once, for What's Love Got to Do with It in 1994. Despite roles like Furious Styles in Boyz n The Hood, Professor Phipps in Higher Learning, and countless others, he still hasn't won.

Hugh Jackman

While he's best known for his work as Wolverine these days, the multi-talented Hugh Jackman has a ton of performances that have deserved more attention from the Academy. He's won every other award on the planet, including three of the "EGOT" awards, but he's still missing the "O."

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams has been nominated for an Academy Award five times, starting with her breakout role in 2005's Brokeback Mountain. She has yet to break through with a win though. Certainly, she will at some point, right?

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan was just 13 years old when she landed her first Oscar nomination for her performance in Atonement. The Lady Bird star has been nominated three subsequent times but hasn't been able to nail down an award yet. A win for Ronan at some point seems inevitable, given how she crushes every role she's in.

Matt Damon

Another one of the biggest movie stars in the world who has yet to win an acting Oscar is Matt Damon. His most recent of three acting nominations was for 2015's The Martian, and while he has won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, an acting award has eluded him.

Salma Hayek

Despite her transcending performance in Frida, the great Salma Hayek wasn't able to win an Oscar in a stacked category in 2003 (Nicole Kidman won for The Hours). Despite numerous great performances, that remains Hayak's only nomination. For shame.

Willem Dafoe

Despite being one of the most reliable actors in Hollywood for more than four decades, somehow Willem Dafoe has yet to win an Oscar. It seems like every single role he takes on is award-worthy, and yet, despite four nominations, starting with Platoon, he still has yet to take home an Academy Award.

Carey Mulligan

2009's An Education garnered Carey Mulligan her first Oscar nom, and she's since nominated another couple of times, for Promising Young Woman in 2021 and Maestro in 2024. She's run into some stiff competition, but surely at least one of those performances was Oscar-worthy.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo has been acting his butt off for decades. For that hard work, he's received four Best Supporting Actor nominations, and shockingly, not for his work in Dark Waters, which might be his best performance of all. It's confounding.

Michelle Pfeiffer

The great Michelle Pfeiffer landed her first Oscar nomination in 1988 for Dangerous Liaisons and picked up two more for The Fabulous Baker Boys in 1989 and Love Field in 1992. Since then? Nothing. Zip. She has not even received a nomination as one of the best actresses of her generation. That has to be remedied, as it makes no sense.

Ralph Fiennes

Between 1996 when he was nominated for The English Patient and 2025 when he was nominated for Conclave, the great Ralph Fiennes wasn't even nominated for an Oscar despite countless award-worthy performances.

Naomi Watts

With two nominations and zero wins, Naomi Watts finds herself on this list. She was first nominated in 2004 for 21 Grams and again in 2013 for The Impossible, but she hasn't lucked out with a win yet. Surely one is in her future though, she's too much of a force not to win one.

Ryan Gosling

Year after year Ryan Gosling has put up fantastic performances, so his inclusion on this list is among the most surprising. He seems like a shoo-in to have won at least one Oscar, right? In not for Barbie or Half Nelson, both of which he was nominated for, then certainly for La La Land. Alas, he's yet to take home a trophy.

Alfre Woodard

When Alfre Woodard was nominated for her first (and to-date only) Oscar nomination way back in 1983 for Cross Creek, you'd be crazy to predict she would not get another one for what is now more than 40 years. Despite amazing performances in films like 12 Years A Slave and many others, she has been shut out.

Warren Beatty

There was no bigger movie star than Warren Beatty in the late '70s and '80s and despite a slew of hits, Beatty has never won an Oscar. Beatty has been nominated four times for Best Actor, yet his only Academy Award win came for Best Director for Reds in 1982. He didn't even win for Dick Tracy! He wasn't actually nominated for that iconic role though, which is understandable.

Laura Linney

Over her long, impressive career, Laura Linney has been nominated for many awards. She's won multiple Emmys and multiple Golden Globes, but she's never taken home a golden statue from the Academy. Linney has been nominated three times, for 2000's You Can Count on Me, 2004's Kinsey, and 2007's The Savages, but lost out each time. Linney has never been in a movie that has won Best Picture, either.

Ed Harris

Ed Harris is one of the best character actors of the last 50 years and yet he's never won an Oscar. He's been nominated three times for Best Supporting Actor, for Apollo 13, The Truman Show, and The Hours, plus picking a nomination for Best Actor for Pollock, but alas, he's never won. Weirdly, he's also 0-3 on Emmy nominations too. He has picked up two Golden Globes though.

Joan Allen

Joan Allen is an actress flies a little under the radar despite putting in amazing performances in everything she is in. It might because she's been incredibly unlucky at winning awards, despite multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations. That luck includes her Oscar nominations, of which she has three, for Nixon, The Crucible, and The Contender, but sadly no wins.

Richard Gere

Despite being box office gold since the early 1980s, Richard Gere has shockingly never been even nominated for an Oscar. He's been in beloved movies that have stood the test of time like Pretty Woman, An Officer And A Gentleman, Primal Fear, Runaway Bride and so many more, but no nominations. Crazy.

Isabelle Huppert

It might not be a huge surprise that a French actress like Isabelle Huppert hasn't won an Oscar, as obviously the winners are almost always from English-language films. Still, Huppert is one of the most decorated actresses of all time in her native France, having been nominated 16 times (and winning twice) for the César Award (France's version of the Academy Awards). She was nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for Elle but lost to Emma Stone (for La La Land).

Paul Dano

It almost seems pre-ordained that at some point Paul Dano will win an Oscar. In performance after performance, he just crushes it. From There Will Be Blood to Love & Mercy, the list of his amazing performances just keeps growing. Like others on this list, the fact that he hasn't even been nominated for an Oscar is mindboggling.

There have been some iconic on-screen kisses in the history of Hollywood. Each performer probably recalls their own best, and answers vary widely, including Glenn Close. The actress and stage performer revealed that her’s took place in one of the ​​greatest baseball movies ever, and I understand completely.

Close, of course, is one of the most prolific and acclaimed actresses of her time, and has a large pool to pick from. Not to mention, that list may be growing with her already-released and upcoming Netflix 2025 movie and TV schedule projects, including Back in Action and the impending Wake Up Dead Man. That’s not even covering the show’s she’ll be on on our 2025 TV schedule, but the 77-year-old revealed her top pick as a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The 101 Dalmatians actress revealed that the best (and maybe only) kiss was between her and a common Hollywood crush of yesteryear, saying:

Her The Natural costar is an excellent choice, and while there were plenty of options, I can’t blame her for this one, especially since it’s one of the best Glenn Close movies out there. I feel obligated to admit that I may be okay with the choice because I was long ago adopted into the Robert Redford fan club. I’d love to know more of her reasoning, but The Sting actor seems like he’d be a great scene partner and obviously isn’t too bad to look at!

I know The Deliverance alum couldn’t linger too long on the question since she has a big year ahead of her (and it was just a fun segment). Among her many projects ahead, including the multiple Netflix subscription-required movies, Close had been going viral for people discovering, or rediscovering, her surprising Hook cameo. Even though both movies are seemingly getting more coverage, she signed onto the new Ryan Murphy series All’s Fair, which she almost passed on the Kardashian legal drama. Other notable pre-production projects ahead include the animated series, Standing By and a remake of Sunset Boulevard for the big screen (Close played Norma Desmond in 1993 and 2017 stage productions).

There’s no end to Glenn Close’s body of work, and her pool to pick from for best on-screen kiss is almost as big. Robert Redford topping the best kiss list is no surprise, and there are no complaints from me about her answer.

The Natural is available with VOD services. You’ll need a Netflix subsxcription to watch Back in Action or activate one by the time Wake Up Dead Man releases. If you want to catch the Ryan Murphy show All’s Fair's premiere, make sure to have an active Hulu subscription.

Glenn Close is literally Back in Action on the 2025 movie schedule, thanks to a supporting role in that potential Netflix subscription driver. The eight-time Academy Award nominee lets loose in a way that some might not expect, which once again shows the world the range in this iconic performer’s toolbox.

The timing couldn’t have been better, as her skill has also been recently highlighted thanks to renewed discussion about her cameo in Steven Spielberg’s Hook. While some people are still learning about it for the first time, I can’t wait to see when those same movie-lovers discover two other brief performances that are also hiding in one of Spielberg’s underrated gems.

Glenn Close’s Hook Cameo Continues To Wow Movie Fans

During an interview with Today, the Fatal Attraction icon shared the story of how she landed her memorable role as a male pirate in the 1991 blockbuster. As you’ll see below, the ask was simple, and Glenn Close made for quite the convincing member of Hook’s crew:

When you can pull one over on the set's script girl, that’s a good sign your casting has paid off. But when you can still have fans learning this knowledge freshly after 30 years, that’s a sign that Hook has kept its secrets well. You can see what I mean when reading through comments included from that interview’s post:

• “Wow!! I had no idea. Going to have watch this movie again. One of the best films from my childhood.” - @kellyhaimof
• “I was today years old.” - @watchjanelle
• “This is by far the best cameo ever done because people still don’t know this fact to this day. She is great!” - @sidechopper
• “Oh. My.god. boo boo box pirate?!” - @farmerlissie

It really does seem like magic to see Glenn Close’s Hook cameo continue to be discovered by the public. But there are a couple other cameos that are going to blow those same people’s minds. Of course, those of you who know your Hook trivia already know where I’m going with this, so don’t spoil the surprise for the newbies in the room.

Four More Hook Cameos To Watch Out For

Should you be motivated to revisit Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams’ spin on the Peter Pan legacy, there’s three more cameo scenes you should keep in mind when watching. And as luck would have it, two of them technically add this adventure to our list of movies featuring professional musicians.

As Phil Collins plays the aptly named Inspector Good and the late Jimmy Buffett pops up as the “Shoe-stealing Pirate,” it may be time to revise that list with Hook in mind. But perhaps one of the greatest flexes in cinematic history, besides showing off Gwyneth Paltrow before she became an A-lister, is a pair of Star Wars bit players.

While it’s hard to make out who they are, the couple floating in mid air through fairy dust are none other than creator George Lucas and star Carrie Fisher. Per The Independent, Fisher even did some uncredited punch up work on the script, which probably helped inspire Steven Spielberg to make the decision to include the cameo.

Hook doesn't make the list of Glenn Close's best movies, but that doesn't mean that her Boo Box Pirate isn't the one cameo that continues to get people talking. While the film is sadly not streaming through subscriptions platforms at this moment, you can rent or buy Steven Spielberg’s fantasy epic through various digital platforms.

Meanwhile, Glenn Close currently be seen in Back in Action, now streaming on Netflix. To see what other originals are headed to the platform throughout the year, check out the listing of 2025 Netflix release dates.

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet streamed the new feature Back in Action with a Netflix subscription, so be warned!

Even without all of the delays that impacted the eventual release of Back in Action, from Jamie Foxx’s sudden hospitalization in April 2023 to the Hollywood strikes and beyond, fans were still pumped about seeing the actor sharing the screen anew with his Any Given Sunday co-star Cameron Diaz in her return to acting. (Netflix reportedly paid her a king’s sum to come out of retirement.) And yet after watching it myself, I was rather surprised that the best thing about Back in Action isn’t either of its high-profile stars.

The action-comedy’s core plot also wasn’t the most logical or engaging on the whole, which is a point that many critics raised in disapproval, but I truly think the key element saving the film from becoming the first forgettable blockbuster of the 2025 movie schedule is the presence of BAFTA-winning comedian Jamie Demetriou. Few in the biz can instantly add 20-30% more quirky and comedic heft to a project like Demetriou can, regardless of where he slots on the call sheet.

Jamie Demetriou Steals Every Back In Action Scene He's In

From the moment he's introduced, Demetriou's wannabe MI6 agent Nigel is immediately the odd duck, and not only because he's is romantically involved with a woman 40 years his elder, Glenn Close's former sniper Ginny. (He's her "special little project," with much ick attached.) Despite all the pent-up friction between Diaz's Emily and her estranged mother, Nigel is eager to please.

After formally meeting Emily and Matt, whose handsomeness he definitely noticed, Nigel delivers one of the movie's funniest moments when talking to McKenna Roberts' Alice and Rylan Jackson's Leo:

Which Nigel then follows by breathlessly saying that he doesn't necessarily want to be seen by Matt and Emily as a father figure, but as a friend. Like quite a few other slices of dialogue in Back in Action, Nigel's comments lean more into trope humor than anything fully organic, but Demetriou still manages to make the lines feel entirely sincere to his character's rose-colored glasses worldview.

From there, Nigel and Ginny are thankfully brought into the high-octane action plot, albeit from the sidelines for a while. And he doesn't even need to be able to talk coherently to win viewers' attention, as proven when Ginny and Nigel are tied up with tape over their mouths.

I don't mean to take anything away from Glenn Close's performance here by glorifying all things Jamie Demetriou. She truly brings the perfect amount of credible gravitas and confidence to Ginny that Nigel clearly strives for, making his own sense of self-assurance that much more amusing in comparison.

What's more, he ends up being Semi-Hero of the Day by attaining possession of the ICS key and averting a potentially disastrous flood. Was it complete garbage that Nigel smacking the laptop in desperate frustration made everything magically work in his favor? Absolutely, but I'm not going to blame a deux ex machina on the actor himself.

Nigel And Ginny Should Get Their Own Back In Action Sequel

For all that Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz are genuinely entertaining to watch together on screen, I wasn't all that amped up by Back in Action's last-second sequel-priming reveal that Emily's father is also still alive and involved with something shady. I suppose it would be fun to for Alice and Leo to train up and join the action themselves, but it'd be hard not to judge the parents for allowing it.

Instead, I'd rather see Jamie Demetriou and Glenn Close specifically team up again for a second film where we get to see Ginny putting Nigel through the gauntlet of MI6 training, regardless of what overarching plotline they'd have to follow. To watch a bunch of legitimate agents raining judgment down on Nigel's bumbling optimism sounds like a cringe-covered treat.

I doubt director and co-writer Seth Gordon will actually go that route, when Diaz and Foxx are the obvious headliners here, but one can always hope. And during all that hoping, fans can also check out a handful of Demetriou's other A+ performances noted below:

• The Afterparty Season 1 - stream with an Apple TV+ subscription
• Stath Lets Flats Seasons 1-3 - stream with a Peacock subscription
• A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou special - stream with a Netflix subscription

Jamie Demetriou will also soon be seen in Jay Roach’s satire The Roses, as well as the upcoming Adam Sandler movie Jay Kelly, which is being helmed by Noah Baumbach and co-stars George Clooney, Laura Dern and plenty of other A-listers for the UK actor to shine amongst.

Great actors don't need a lot of makeup or total body transformations to improve their performance, but when you get the combination of a great and those things, the effect can be amazing. Sometimes the effect is so good the actors become completely unrecognizable, like the examples in this list where actors like Jared Leto and Gary Oldman were completely transformed for roles.

Jared Leto - House Of Gucci

It's fair to say that House Of Gucci was, at best, an uneven movie. It was a daunting challenge for everyone involved and none more so than Jared Leto. Leto played the legendary Paolo Gucci, and while his accent was a little shaky, his look and his mannerisms were completely on point. It's one heck of a transformation.

Charlize Theron - Monster

There is no more intense transformation for a role than Charlize Theron's performance as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Theron completely embodies the monster that Wuoronos was, while also subtly allowing the audience to understand how the killer became the way she was. Theron rightfully won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the brutal murderer.

Christian Bale - Vice

Christian Bale is one of the best actors of his generation and he's never been afraid to alter his look for a performance. The Machinist is one excellent example, but even that transformation pales in comparison to the way he completely became Dick Cheney in Vice. Not only does he look just like the former vice president, but he nails his speech pattern and mannerisms as well. It's remarkable.

Lily James - Pam & Tommy

When Lily James was cast as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy it raised a few eyebrows. The actress seemed like a complete opposite in every way, especially her looks, as the blonde bombshell. Yet, when the movie came out, people were amazed at how well James pulled it off. No, it's not the best movie, but James was the spitting image of Anderson.

Gary Oldman - True Romance

One actor who is truly a master of disguise is Gary Oldman. He seemingly looks completely different in almost every role he plays. One of the most astounding transformations was early in his career when he played a pimp in True Romance. He literally looks and sounds nothing like himself in the film, to the point where if you didn't know it was him, you'd never guess.

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

You know when a film wins the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Best Actress, the role is going to be special. Such is the case for Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Chastain is completely unrecognizable in the role of the wife of the infamous Jim Bakker and is simply incredible in the movie.

Margot Robbie - I, Tonya

Turning Margot Robbie into a street tough figure skater like Tonya Harding is no easy feet. Through a combination of incredible makeup work and even better acting, Robbie completely disappears into the notorious skater made famous for her part in attacking her rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Olympics.

Glenn Close - Hook

Steven Spielberg's 1991 Hook isn't generally remembered as the legendary director's best work, but it is chock full of fun cameos and one of the hardest to spot is Glenn Close. The actress plays one of the pirates on Captain Hook's ship and if you don't look closely, you'll never notice the multiple Oscar nominee under the beard and makeup turning her into a male pirate.

Tilda Swinton - Trainwreck

The most remarkable thing about Tilda Swinton's transformation in the rom-com Trainwreck is just how conventional she looks. Swinton has one of the most unique looks in Hollywood and most of the time that look is enhanced by the roles she plays, it's part of what makes her so great. Her "normal" look in Trainwreck is made remarkable by that,

Mike Myers - Bohemian Rhapsody

Mike Myers took a long hiatus from acting in the 2010s and when he returned in Bohemian Rhapsody, audiences had to do a triple-check to make sure it was him in the role of a record executive arguing with Queen about the song that the movie is named after. With sunglasses and a full blonde beard, Myers looked nothing like his normal sense and his performance was excellent.

Colin Farrell - The Batman/The Penguin

When the trailer first dropped for The Batman, people were astounded at how Colin Farrell looked as Penguin. When the movie came out and we all watched his performance, it was even more shocking (in a great way). When he took the role to HBO for the TV show named after the character, we were all completely lost in it, because he was just so great. Though he says the suit and makeup aren't worth it, we have a feeling he'll be back as the Gotham-based villain.

50 Cent - All Things Fall Apart

50 Cent has proven to be quite the actor. The rapper has branched out into producing, even. Perhaps his best performance was as the fallen football star in All Things Fall Apart. His body transformation to play a pro athlete in peak physical condition who falls victim to cancer is incredible

Sarah Paulson - Impeachment: American Crime Story

Sarah Paulson knows how to completely disappear into a role. She was as incredible as Marsha Clark in The People Vs. OJ Simpson and she was even more remarkable as Linda Tripp in Impeachment: American Crime Story. Seriously, if you didn't know it was her, you'd never guess. She looks more like Tripp than Paulson in every way.

Billy Bob Thornton In U-Turn

Billy Bob Thorton is one of the most fun actors to watch in everything he is in. Take, for example, his role in Sling Blade, in which he looks completely different from himself. Another fine example is as the mechanic in U-Turn with Sean Penn. If it wasn't for his distinctive voice, you'd never know it was him.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

For a while there, Eddie Murphy made it his job to look completely different in his movies like The Nutty Professor, but at no point in any of those movies did he transform quite like he did to play the Jewish guy who hung out in the barbershop in Coming To America. Even his role as the barber in the movie was more recognizable. We also have to give props to Arsenio Hall for his various roles in the movie as well.

Mia Goth - X

Mia Goth playing the elderly Pearl in X is fantastic. Though you can tell it's her as Maxine, if you just walked in on the movie as those scenes of her as the older Pearl was playing, you'd never know who it is.

Tom Hardy - Bronson

Tom Hardy has never been shy about taking on challenging roles that require him to transform completely. He changes so much, that you almost feel like you don't know what he actually looks like in real life. Bronson is one of his finest transformations as he looks way more like the notorious British prisoner than like himself in the movie. It's so much more than just a mustache, that's for sure.

Donnie Wahlberg - The Sixth Sense

Mark Wahlberg may be the more famous brother, but Donnie Wahlberg also has some incredible acting chops and his performance comes in his minor-ish role in The Sixth Sense. It's clear that the former (and current) New Kid On The Block lost a ton of weight for his haunting performance in the movie.

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

Murderer John du Pont of the famous du Pont family was a unique-looking guy. In Foxcatcher, Steve Carell completely embodies that uniqueness, It's almost unsettling how much Carell looks like du Pont and not like himself in the disturbing movie about the murder the scion of the wealthy family committed in 1997.

Cate Blanchett — I’m Not There

The legendary Bob Dylan has been played on screen a few times and remarkably the actor that pulled off his look and mannerism best is the amazing Cate Blanchett in I’m Not There. Of all the actors who play a version of the folk singer, Blancett is the most convincing and she looks nothing like herself in the movie.

Zac Efron - The Iron Claw

Early in his career Zac Efron was kind of typecast as the goofy good-looking guy. In 2023's The Iron Claw he completely upends that as he embodied the late Kerry Von Erich in the fantastic biopic about wrestling's first family, the Von Erichs

Renée Zellweger - The Thing About Pam

After a little bit of a career lull that included a four-year break from acting, Renée Zellweger returned in a big way in the late 2010s, culminating in an Oscar-winning performance as Judy Garland in 2019's Judy, which completely revived her career. Her best was yet to come because despite not getting the same accolades in the press, her performance as murderer Pam Hupp in The Thing About Pam was a complete transformation

Jared Leto - Chapter 27

Turning someone as good-looking as Jared Leto into someone as despised as the man who killed John Lennon is no easy feat. Leto's performance as Mark David Chapman is incredible and even though the movie has flown under the radar for years, it's worth seeking out just to see how different Leto can look from himself.

Missi Pyle - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

How do you take a beautiful woman like Missi Pyle and make her look like a deranged Eastern European dodgeball player? Ask the makeup department for Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The work they did, along with Pyle's acting, was amazing. There's no way to know it was her in any way unless you double-check the credits.

Sebastian Stan - A Different Man

A Different Man tells the hilarious and heartwarming tale of a struggling actor with a condition known as neurofibromatosis. Sebastian Stan plays the actor under a whole ton of wonderful makeup and despite the obvious limitation that makeup puts on the actor, Stan puts in a career-defining performance.

Chris Hemsworth - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

While it isn't the most extreme example on this list, Chris Hemsworth's look in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is amazing. The only reason you really know it's him is that he uses his natural Aussie accent in the movie, which he doesn't do all that much these days. He's even won awards for the performance!

Ryan Reynolds - Blade: Trinity

Okay, we'll admit this isn't the biggest transformation on this list, but you can't deny that Ryan Reynolds has a completely different, more sinister look in Blade: Trinity. It's way different from what you expect from a standard Reynolds performance.

Nicole Kidman - Birth

Nicole Kidman is an amazing actress, but she's not one of those actors you expect to completely change her look for a role. Her part in Birth shows that she certainly can do that, and do it in spectacular ways.

Robert De Niro - Raging Bull

Robert De Niro famously put on a ton of weight for his role as Al Capone in The Untouchables. He also got completely jacked for Cape Fear. He did both for his incredible performance in Raging Bull. As a young Jake LaMotta he was cut and fit and as an older version of the boxer, he was flabby and overweight. Either way, De Niro looks less like himself and more like the real-life boxer. He certainly deserved the Oscar he won for the role.

Margot Robbie - Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots had a unique look that was only enhanced by the odd style of 16th Century Scotland. Still, Margot Robbie nails the look of the queen in a way that leaves the audience squinted to see if it's really the Australian actress.

Gary Oldman - The Darkest Hour

No one transforms quite like Gary Oldman. He's completely different in every role he plays and in The Darkest Hour, he completely embodies his role as Winston Churchill. It's not just the makeup, though that is perfect, it's also the voice and mannerisms he brings to the role that makes you believe you're actually watching the legendary prime minister.

Charlize Theron - Bombshell

Bombshell is one of those movies where you might think you're watching the real-life characters that the cast of Bombshell are playing. Charlize Theron's portrayal of former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly tops the performances. It's pitch-perfect in every way.

The next addition to the Hunger Games franchise is on the way, and we're about eight months away from heading back into the dystopian world of Panem with The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping. It is certainly one of the most anticipated book-to-screen adaptations on the 2026 movie schedule.

If you're new here or don't keep close watch over The Hunger Games franchise, we've got you covered. The successful franchise has expanded its lore into the world far beyond the original story trilogy of books. First, the four successful films were adapted from The Hunger Games trilogy; there was an earlier prequel released in 2023 titled The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

That film was successful, so it was only a matter of time before another story within the world of The Hunger Games would be told. That movie is soon approaching, so here's everything we know about another prequel, Sunrise On The Reaping, set between the original series and Songbirds and Snakes, including the release date, the cast (including some very exciting news about Jennifer Lawrence), and more.

What Is The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Release Date?

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in theaters on November 20, 2026. Getting a release so close to the holidays hopefully means good things about the movie, and that everyone involved believes it'll be a hit. Recently, the writer of Sunrise On The Reaping, Billy Ray, sat down with CinemaBlend and was asked bluntly if this would be the final movie in the franchise. His response was... maybe? Here's what he told us:

Ray not only wrote this latest installment of the series, but the first movie as well, so he has his pulse on the franchise. It all comes down to author Suzanne Collins, according to Ray:

Right now, Collins hasn't announced another book after Sunrise, so I guess we'll just have to see what the future holds after November.

The First Trailer Has Been Released

The first trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping dropped in April 2026, and we've gotten our first good look at a lot of the characters. Check out the teaser trailer released late last year:

It's hard not to get excited after seeing this. Let's go!

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Is A Prequel

The movie is based on the 2025 novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, by Suzanne Collins, who, of course, wrote the original trilogy. The book follows the 50th annual Hunger Games, 24 years before the Hunger Games in the first book and movie, where Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) began her revolution against The Capitol, and in honor of it, twice as many tributes are picked to play.

We know a little about the 50th edition of the games because we know the winner was Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch, of course, was played by Woody Harrelson in the original series. In that series, he is a pretty broken man, but he gets himself together to help Katniss and Peeta. He is one of only two winners to ever come from District 12 before Katniss and Peeta both won the 74th edition in the first Hunger Games.

So, the movie is set 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy and begins on the morning of the Second Quarter Quell, when we find out there will be twice the usual number of tributes for these games. Four from each district, instead of the usual two.

The first four Hunger Games movies followed the story of Katniss Everdeen, a tribute to the 74th Hunger Games, who broke the system and ended up starting a revolution against the Capitol. The prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, followed the origin story of the main villain of The Hunger Games series, Coriolanus Snow.

Now, we're going to get Haymitch's story, which is a great way to continue this franchise. Haymitch has always been a character that people loved in the first trilogy, so it would make sense that this would be the next story to tell.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Cast

The cast of Sunrise on the Reaping is, in a word, fantastic. It's a mix of up-and-comers and established veteran stars. Many of the characters we know from the original movies will be in this one, albeit younger versions of themselves, including President Snow (Donald Sutherland in the original series; Tom Blythe in Songbirds & Snakes), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks originally), Plutarch Heavensbee, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman first, and Caesar Flickerman, who was played by Stanley Tucci in the originals. Here's everyone we know so far:

Joseph Zada As Haymitch Abernathy

The hero of the movie, Haymitch Abernathy, is being played by Joseph Zada. Zada has worked in television, but this promises to be a big breakout for the young actor. Haymitch, of course, was played by Woody Harrelson in the original films, and Zada certainly looks the part of the hero before his PTSD dragged him down in later life, as we saw with Harrelson's version of the character.

Mckenna Grace As Maysilee Donner

Maysilee Donner, played by McKenna Grace, is Haymitch's fellow District 12 tribute and his ally in the games. Grace may just be 19 years old, but she's already got a long resume that goes back more than a decade with appearances in movies like I, Tonya, Gifted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and its sequel, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, as well as 2025's Five Nights at Freddy's 2.

Ralph Fiennes As President Coriolanus Snow

One of the most important characters in the franchise is President Coriolanus Snow, and to reflect that, once again, they cast a heavyweight in the role, none other than the great Ralph Fiennes. I can't wait to find out where he takes the menacing villain. Snow, of course, was originally played by Donald Sutherland, who passed away in 2024.

Jesse Plemons As Plutarch Heavensbee

I think it's safe to say that most will agree that Jesse Plemons is the perfect actor to cast for a young Plutarch Heavensbee, following in the footsteps of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Not only does he have the acting chops on the same level as Hoffman, but he bears quite a resemblance to the late actor who played the character originally.

Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle

Oh boy, does this one look fun! Legend Glenn Close is playing Drusilla Sickle, the Capitol chaperone, like Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks, originally) was in the first movies. I have no idea how over the top this performance will be, but I can't wait to find out. Her appearance in the trailer is magical, and working with her must have been a treat for all the actors on set.

Elle Fanning As Effie Trinket

Speaking of Effie Trinket, she will be played by Elle Fanning in the Sunrise on the Reaping. After how amazing Banks was in the originals, these are big shoes to fill, but we're confident the 2026 Oscar nominee is up to the task.

Kieran Culkin As Caesar Flickerman

Caesar Flickerman, played by Stanley Tucci originally, will be played by Kieran Culkin, which seems like it could be perfect. Culkin usually plays characters with a little edge to them, and Caesar, at least Tucci's version, was pretty smooth. I'm really curious to see how this works out, but Caesar, the host with the most, with a little more edge, could be a lot of fun!

Maya Hawke As Wiress

Wiress, who won the 49th Hunger Games (one year earlier than when this movie is set), will be played by Maya Hawke. In the previous movies, she was played by Amanda Plummer.

There are quite a few big-name actors who we know will appear in some new and returning characters, as well:

• Billy Porter as Magno Stift
• Iris Apatow as Proserpina Trinket
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier
• Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan
• Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
• Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
• Jefferson White as Mr. McCoy
• Edvin Ryding as Vitus

We also know from a report in December 2025 in The Hollywood Reporter that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will be reprising their roles as Katniss and Peeta. How that will work, as those characters have yet to be born in the era in which Sunrise is set, I have no idea, but I'm very cool with the idea!

It also opens up the idea of other possible cameos from the original films. The first that comes to mind is Julianne Moore as Alma Coin. I don't want to see the movie totally fall into fan service like that, but a few cameos would be great.

Francis Lawrence Is The Director

Director Francis Lawrence is once again going to be at the helm of this film. This will be the fourth time he will be in the director's chair for a Hunger Games movie.

Lawrence is responsible for not only the prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, but also the second film, Catching Fire, and both parts of Mockingjay in the original Hunger Games movies. The only one that he did not direct was the first film, which came from director Gary Ross.

Lawrence has also worked on other films outside of The Hunger Games movies, including the Will Smith-led I Am Legend and the romantic drama Water for Elephants, as well as Constantine. His most recent film, The Long Walk, was one of CinemaBlend's favorite movies of 2025.

The film wrapped principal photography in November 2025, so it's off to the editing room for the production team, and into the waiting room for fans of the series. Hopefully, we'll see a new full trailer soon, and when we do, we'll be sure to update this story!

The legal world is certainly keeping Kim Kardashian busy these days. In the past month, she’s continued her real-life work on prison reform, meeting with convicted killers Lyle and Erik Menendez following the release of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology. Meanwhile in the fictional world, the reality star has been hard at work on her upcoming legal drama All’s Fair. The cast of the series — which is also a Murphy creation and set to appear on the 2025 TV schedule — seemed to be getting along swimmingly, as Niecy Nash posted pics posing in SKIMS pajamas alongside Kardashian and Glenn Close.

Kim Kardashian has gotten everyone from Sabrina Carpenter (who did NOT have to ask Taylor Swift’s permission, by the way) to Jenny McCarthy to pose for her SKIMS ads, and now she can add her All’s Fair co-stars to that list, as Glenn Close and Niecy Nash flaunted the gorgeous black sleep sets gifted to them by Kardashian. Nash shared the pic on Instagram:

I mean, of course, Kim Kardashian’s gift to her new co-stars would be something from her own clothing line; self-promotion is kind of her thing, after all. I can’t hate on this, though, because it’s actually a pretty generous gift, and I know those SKIMS pajamas don’t come cheap! All three ladies were looking simply wonderful (and comfortable!) as they posed in front of what I can only hope is one of their desks in the law office they work for on All’s Fair.

Ryan Murphy pitched Kim Kardashian on the idea of leading her own series (during a conversation we got to see on The Kardashians, which can be streamed with a Hulu subscription) following her acting debut last year on American Horror Story: Delicate. Eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close nearly passed on All’s Fair because she was afraid her character would be too similar to the one she played on Damages, and she didn’t want to repeat herself.

It’s unknown exactly what kind of roles she and Niecy Nash will play, but we know Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashian are wanting to channel major female empowerment. Halle Berry was also cast for the upcoming Hulu series, but she had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

Kim Kardashian’s character was reportedly inspired by Laura Wasser, the so-called “divorce lawyer to the stars,” who has represented Kardashian in two of her three divorces, as well as celebrities including Kevin Costner, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears and many more, She’s also apparently helping Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez navigate their split without a prenuptial agreement.

I’m excited to see what Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash and Glenn Close will do together on the screen, and it’s good to know that they’re staying comfy on set! In addition to waiting for a premiere date to be announced for All’s Fair, we’re also waiting to see when the entire Kardashian-Jenner family will return to Hulu.

Their reality show was renewed for a sixth and seventh season this summer, but there’s allegedly been some concern that The Kardashians will get “kanceled” amid diminishing streaming budgets and Kim Kardashian’s acting career affecting her availability. Only time will tell, so keep an eye on that 2024 TV schedule.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong since 2008, and consistently releases new content both in theaters and streaming for those with a Disney+ subscription. While there have been some box office disappointments in recent years, James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 cleaned up the box office. But hardcore fans were left wondering why Glenn Close and John C. Reilly didn't get to return before the trilogy ended. And a new rumor indicates that the pair of actors might end up finally returning to the MCU.

Close and Reilly starred as Nova Prime and Rhomann Dey in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. They're members of the Nova Corps who end up allying with the title characters for the greater good, and were serious scene stealers throughout the 2014 blockbuster. They were missing from the sequels, Holiday Special, and Avengers movies, but rumor circulating on Twitter indicates they'll be back for the developing Nova TV series.

This report is by scooper MyTimeToShineHello, who has successfully called a number of major franchise announcements before they went public. And while we wait for something official from the studio, this casting does make a great deal of sense. If a show about the Nova Corps. is being worked on, it seems logical to bring back the two most recognizable faces with Glenn Close and John C. Reilly.

While this is still just a rumor for now, it's definitely an exciting crumb for longtime fans of the MCU. Moviegoers have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order, and have not-so-patiently waited for Nova Prime and Rhomann Dey. Unfortunately, we never saw the Guardians return to Xandar during their two sequels. James Gunn even confirmed Close nearly had a cameo in Guardians 2, but it was cut.

Fans were also hoping to see the Nova Corps. during Avengers: Infinity War and/or Endgame, since Thanos was such a threat to the entire galaxy. And while Thanos presumably went to Xandar to procure the Power Stone, it happened offscreen. Luckily Close did reprise her role for footage used in the rollercoaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

If Nova comes together, it would seemingly serve as a sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This could be a serious boon to its viewership, as fans want to know anything they can about what happened to the beloved cosmic heroes after Guardians 3's ending. While the team got their happy ending, fans are still hoping they pop up in an upcoming Marvel movie. So even some references to Rocket and the gang would be super exciting in Nova.

The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Captain America: Brave New World on February 14th. Be sure to check the 2025 movie release dates.

Every week, there are new and exciting 2024 releases on Netflix, and the variation of projects runs the gamut. For the past week, the No. 1 titles in the film and TV categories, respectively, have been Rebel Ridge and The Perfect Couple. However, when we took a closer look at the projects that crushed it recently, we were surprised by one movie’s viral success.

Rebel Ridge And The Perfect Couple Are Dominating Netflix Views

Before we get to that, let’s break down the kinds of numbers coming out of Rebel Ridge and The Perfect Couple.

Rebel Ridge earned 68 million hours of streaming across its first week on Netflix after critics showered the movie with a ton of praise – especially for Aaron Pierre’s charms in the action thriller. Going into its second week, it’s holding at No. 1, even as Joey King’s Uglies has just arrived. (If you enjoyed the flick, check out our interview with the Rebel Ridge director about the making of it).

On the TV side of things, The Perfect Couple was the No. 1 series on everyone’s binge list this past week. It’s a book-to-screen adaptation of an Elin Hilderbrand novel that features some big names like Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning and more. So, it’s no wonder a lot of people with a Netflix subscription hit play.

In its first week, Netflix reports, the six-episode miniseries was streamed for 103 million hours. Going into the new week, The Perfect Couple remains on top of the streamer’s trending shows. It should also be noted that critics love The Perfect Couple!

But, The Deliverance Was A Sneaky Netflix Hit, Too

What not enough people probably realize or are talking about is how much of a sneaky success Lee Daniels’ The Deliverance has been on the service.

On one hand, it makes sense this was a hit given the amazing cast that features Glenn Close, Andra Day, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Mo’Nique and Omar Epps, and the horror season rolling in with fall. However, at the same time, The Deliverance has not stacked up well with critics or audiences alike. Just look at the Rotten Tomatoes scores that sit at 33% (Tomatometer) and 42% (Popcornmeter)!

Despite all the hate it’s getting, it received 41 million hours of streaming in its first week, and it was just under Rebel Ridge. Plus, it remains in the top 10 this week (though now it’s currently at No. 9 in my territory). Tons of people must have hit play blindly, either out of sheer curiosity and an ignorance for what people were saying, or to purposefully get ready to talk about Glenn Close’s shocking and viral role?

Netflix statistics continue to amaze me, because it’s interesting to see what people are watching collectively in huge numbers. For example, four million people decided to watch Aloha this past week? Did no one tell them how bland that movie is? Anyway, y’all are wild, happy streaming!

Sometimes an actor just explodes on the scene with their first movie. Many of the people on this list have even been nominated and won awards for their first roles. Most, of course, have gone on to have long, successful careers, so let's look back at these actors who absolutely crushed it in their first roles. 

Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years A Slave

It didn't take long for Kenyan native Lupita Nyong'o to make a huge splash in Hollywood. After a little time working on movie sets behind the camera, she studied acting at Yale and landed her seminal role in 12 Years A Slave almost immediately after graduating. The performance speaks for itself, and Nyong'o deservingly took home an Oscar for it. Amazingly, three years later, she won a Tony in her Broadway debut in Eclipsed.

Sean Penn - Taps

Sean Penn has had a long, storied career and while many may assume his breakout role came as the stoner Spicoli in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, but a year before cracking up audiences in that cult classic, he played a very different role as a would-be soldier at a military academy in Taps. Notably, Tom Cruise also made his breakthrough role in the movie alongside Penn. 

Reese Witherspoon - The Man In The Moon

Over the last 4 decades or so, Reese Witherspoon has not only become one of the most acclaimed actresses in Hollywood, but a major force behind the scenes as a producer. It all started for the Nashville native with her debut in The Man In The Moon in 1991. It's always impressive when a newcomer can lead a personal film like this, and Witherspoon showed early how good she is by doing so. 

Natalie Portman - Leon: The Professional

There are a few actors in Hollywood who broke big when they were very young. From the moment you see Natalie Portman on screen in her first role as Mathilda in Leon: The Professional, you know she's going to be big. Yeah, it's an uncomfortable movie to watch for obvious reasons - Portman was just 13 - but seeing how brave she was to take on a complicated role like that, it was clear she was destined for greatness. 

Edward Norton - Primal Fear

Has there ever been a more terrifying and convincing debut performance from an actor than Edward Norton in Primal Fear? It's one of the all-time great grifter films and Norton's performance is the major reason why. He's scary, both in character and in talent. 

Florence Pugh - The Falling

It's hard to believe Florence Pugh made her debut in The Falling in 2014. It seems like the actress has been around forever as she keeps picking amazing roles and crushing the performances, just like her first. 

Kevin Bacon - National Lampoon's Animal House

Every actor in Hollywood is connected to Kevin Bacon, as the game claims, and that's because for more than five decades he's been giving amazing performance and amazing performance. His first movie, the classic comedy National Lampoon's Animal House is certainly no exception as he plays a snobby, snarky, frat boy to perfection. There is nothing he can't do.  

Halle Berry - Jungle Fever

In 2001 Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win the Best Picture Oscar for Monster's Ball. That was just 10 short years after she made he incredible debut in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever. The former beauty pageant contestant has been one of the most reliably great stars in the years since, starring in some of the biggest franchises in Hollywood including the X-Men, James Bond, John Wick, and much more. 

Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls

After finishing seventh in the third season of American Idol, we all knew Jennifer Hudson could sing. When she was cast as Aretha Frankin-like Effie White in Dreamgirls, it didn't surprise anyone. At least, we weren't surprised until we all saw just how her powerful voice was matched by her powerful acting. She took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her big-screen debut. 

Eddie Murphy - 48 Hrs.

By the time Eddie Murphy starred in 48 Hrs. alongside Nick Nolte in 1982, he was already a bonafide TV star from his time on SNL. Known for his great characters and hilarious lines on SNL, it wasn't clear if he could carry a movie. 48 Hrs. settled that, he definitely could and he's been leading them ever since. 

Marlee Matlin - Children Of A Lesser God

Marlee Matlin has been breaking down barriers since the very beginning of her career. Deaf from the time she was a small child, there must have been many people who told her she could pursue her dreams. Instead, she became not only the deaf actor to win an Oscar in his debut movie, Children Of A Lesser God, but the youngest woman to take home the statue as well. 

Anne Hathaway - The Princess Diaries

From the very beginning, Anne Hathaway has been wowing audiences. Her first movie is still one of her most beloved, The Princess Diaries. She even got to star alongside true film royalty. Julie Andrews. She didn't seem intimidated then, and she never has been since. 

Tim Curry - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Tim Curry's first movie has become the dictionary definition of a cult classic. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a flop when it was released, but in the decades since, it's become one of the most popular movies of all time with a fanbase that is not just dedicated, but rabid in its love for the movie and for Curry's character, Frank-N-Furter.

Emma Stone - Superbad

Superbad is one of those comedies that very really gets old, especially if you grew up with it as a staple of your DVD rotation. Emma Stone's character Jules is not the kind of character you'd expect to be as funny as she is, which makes Stone pretty much perfect for the role, as she is as effortlessly funny as she is effortlessly beautiful. She's gone on to tackle some characters with incredible depth, but she set the foundation in Superbad. 

Oprah Winfrey - The Color Purple

There is really nothing Oprah Winfrey can't accomplish. She was already on her way to becoming the biggest daytime talk show in history by the time she landed a role in Steven Speilberg's classic The Color Purple. It turns out Winfrey can do a whole more than coax the most out of guests on her talk show, she can act really act, earning an Oscar nomination in her film debut. 

Julie Andrews - Mary Poppins

It's really hard to believe that Julie Andrews didn't make her true film debut until she was nearly 30 years old, when she appeared as the legendary Mary Poppins in the film of the same name. Of course, Andrews was well-established as a stage actor at that point, but still, it was the golden age of Hollywood, you'd think she would have been cast in something well before Mary Poppins. At least we can be grateful she was cast here. 

Alan Rickman - Die Hard

Hans Gruber in Die Hard is, without a doubt, one of the greatest villains of the 1980s. Knowing that it was the film debut of the incredible Alan Rickman makes it all that more impressive. He plays the role with such confidence and panache, that it's almost too much to believe it was his first movie role, but it was. 

Anna Paquin - The Piano

Anna Paquin won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Piano. She was just 11 years old! Anyone who does that deserves a spot on any list like that. She's the second youngest ever to win an Oscar and in the years since she's continued to wow us with her work. 

Jamie Lee Curtis - Halloween

Jamie Lee Curtis basically invented the modern scream queen in horror movies in her debut in Halloween. It's a genre she's only returned to a few times in her long, impressive career, but we're sure glad it's where she got her start. 

Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit

It's a little remarkable how many young girls pop up on a list like this. One of the most recent examples of a teenager just crushing her film debut is Hailee Steinfeld. Not only did she have the pressure of playing a beloved literary character like Mattie Ross in True Grit, but she also had to act alongside legends like Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin. She doesn't just hold her own, either, she steals the movie. She rightly received an Oscar nomination for her work.  

Glenn Close - The World According To Garp

Glenn Close burst on the scene with award-winning performances on Broadway before transitioning to film with her debut on the silver screen in The World According To Garp where she picked up where she left off on the stage, getting nominated for an Oscar. She would earn Oscar nominations (but sadly no wins) for her next two movies as well, The Big Chill and The Natural. 

Robert Duvall - To Kill A Mockingbird

Robert Duvall's career goes all the way back to the 1950s, when he first appeared as Boo Radley in one of the most beloved movies about the American South, To Kill A Mockingbird. He only has a small role, as the character with an outsized effect on the plot who is only seen at the end, but he embodies the character so many kids learn to love when they first read the book in high school. 

John Malkovich - Places In The Heart

There is no question that John Malkovich is one of the finest actors of his generation. He's completely fearless in all the roles he plays and that's true going all the way back to his first role as a blind World War I vet in the Depression-era film Places in the Heart alongside Sally Field, Danny Glover, and Ed Harris. 

Lily Tomlin - Nashville

Though she was already a comedic legend on TV, having appeared on Laugh-In and The Carol Burnett Show, Lily Tomlin showed what range she really had as a gospel singer and mother to two in Nashville. She's continued to show those skills over and over in the decades since. 

Gal Gadot - Fast & Furious

Gal Gadot is best known as Wonder Woman these days, but she made her debut in another giant Hollywood franchise when she appeared in Fast & Furious, the fourth installment of the Fast And Furious series. The ex-Israeli army veteran has impressed fans of the movies in each of her 3 appearances by performing most of her own stunts.  

Kerry Washington - Our Song

Our Song is an underrated movie that is everything great about independent filmmaking. It's an intensely personal story about a unique moment in time for the characters and the audience. Kerry Washington simply blows audiences out of the water with her powerful and heartfelt performance. It's incredible how good she was in her first movie. 

Dustin Hoffman - The Graduate

So, technically Dustin Hoffman had already had a small role in a film before The Graduate (a movie called The Tiger Makes Out). For all intents and purposes, he introduced himself to the world with an Oscar-nominated performance in one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood history, The Graduate. It's a movie people still love talking about and lauding, even nearly 60 years later. 

John Cazale - The Godfather

The incredible and tragic story of actor John Cazale is well-known among movie buffs. Cazale only starred in five movies before he died of cancer at just age 42. All five of those movies won the Oscar for Best Picture The first, his first, was, of course, The Godfather. Though his character, Fredo, would play a larger role in the sequel, he still established himself as one of the greatest of his generation before we all lost him too soon.  

Gabrielle Union - She's All That

Actor Gabrielle Union has definitely made her mark not only on Hollywood but on the world with her stellar performances and her charity work outside of film. HE burst onto the scene in She's All That and she's never slowed down since. 

James Dean - East Of Eden

The great James Dean is one of the biggest "what ifs" in Hollywood history. Though he did have some uncredited roles in a few movies, the young actor starred in just three movies, including his first East Of Eden. For that role, he would receive an Oscar nomination, though he wouldn't live to see it, as he was killed in a car crash before being nominated. A feat that would be repeated the next year with Giant.

Jason Schwartzman - Rushmore

Though Jason Schwartzman comes from a prominent Hollywood family, that didn't guarantee success. Instead, he went out in his first movie role, in Rushmore, and absolutely embodied his character of Max. It's every bit as impressive as anything his mom Talia Shire has done, and that is no small feat. 

Keisha Castle-Hughes - The Whale Rider

When Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for an Oscar at just 12 years old for The Whale Rider, you knew she was one to watch for. She was, at the time, the second-youngest person nominated for an Oscar and not only was the nomination well-deserved, but she's continued to justify the voters' confidence in her with her roles over the last couple of decades. 

Spoilers ahead for The Deliverance on Netflix.

The streaming services that have been competing for years are consistently releasing new content, both TV shows and original films. Lee Daniels' new horror flick The Deliverance recently arrived for those with a Netflix subscription, and it quickly went viral. I watched The Deliverance, and I was as shocked as the internet about Glenn Close's role.

Theres a few things to know about The Deliverance, chief among them that the legendary Glenn Close is swinging hard as Alberta Jackson. She plays the mother of a Black woman, seen doing a sew in one scene, and getting truly outrageous lines of dialogue once she's possessed later in the film. One line of dialogue particularly went viral on Twitter, with folks reacting to Close saying something so out of character, which would have otherwise been wildly offensive coming out of her mouth. Check out one such reaction below:

Yes, you heard that right. This immediately starting blowing up on social media. And I also couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing, which only made me lean in closer when watching the horror flick. So while The Deliverance might not be considered one of Glenn Close's best movies, she once again brought a fully realized performance that's made its impact on the pop culture landscape.

With The Deliverance, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels put his own spin on one of the best horror movies of all time: The Exorcist. This story focuses on the Jackson family in Indiana, who start to experience supernatural frights upon moving into a new home. Protagonists Ebony (played by Golden Globe-winning actress Andra Day) has a history of incarceration and alcoholism, making her a complicated but captivating final girl.

While Day is riveting while leading the film, Glenn Close's character is the most viral thing to come out of The Deliverance. There have been strong reactions to her lines in the film, as well as seeing her as more of a floozy character. Another scene that quickly started going viral on social media is when Close is shown smoking a cigarette and sewing in a wig to her daughter's hair. One such tweet reads:

Of course, no pop culture moment happens without some memes popping up online. Close's performance in The Deliverance is no exception in this regard, as it stands in such stark juxtaposition to the way the 77 year-old icon typically carries herself. She's been compared to a number of meme-able figures of the internet, including one clip that's been going around for years now. As another tweet shared:

At the time of writing this story, The Deliverance is the #1 movie on Netflix in the US, so it's safe to say that plenty more folks are getting a glimpse at Glenn Close's already iconic performance as Alberta Jackson. And as such, Lee Daniels has cemented himself as a memorable horror director, in addition to his already long resume of hits on TV and film. And I'd love for him to bring us another one in the future.

The Deliverance is streaming now on Netflix. Check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your movies for next year.

After Kim Kardashian made her starring acting debut in American Horror Story: Delicate she has signed on for another Ryan Murphy-produced series. She is set to star in All’s Fair, a legal drama that's being produced for Hulu. The show will also include legendary actress Glenn Close, who can bring gravitas to the already buzzy project. The Oscar nominee recently revealed that she almost passed on the project, and explained what made her reconsider and ultimately sign on.

Ryan Murphy has so many (streamable) shows and is practically the king of TV at this point. Hits like American Horror Story, American Crime Story and Glee have his fingerprints on them. Aside from producing shows with soapy, bingeable premises, Murphy's also famous for casting A-list talent. Adding Glenn Close to his latest cast is par-for-the-course, but even with Murphy’s reputation, the actress was still apprehensive about signing on due to another major production on her resume. She told Entertainment Tonight:

For context, the FX/Audience series Damages debuted in 2007 and lasted five seasons. Glenn Close led an all-star cast that included Rose Byrne and John Goodman. A legal drama, it saw the Fatal Attraction star play a ruthless lawyer that was also considered a “master manipulator.” It was a juicy, complex role that Close played flawlessly and won two Emmys for. Even though a character like that would be well within her range, it’s understandable why the actress wouldn’t want to take on the same kind of role again.

Thankfully, Ryan Murphy assured her that he planned on taking a different approach for All’s Fair, and the new role would showcase the veteran actress' range in a whole new way. Every detail learned about the new show has been nothing but exciting, and Murphy has nailed legal dramas before, with The People vs. O.J. Simpson being a prime example. As for where production on the upcoming show stands, the Deliverance star said:

As for when fans can expect to see the show premiere, that remains to be seen. Considering Glenn Close’s history of incredible performances, I’m sure she’ll find the character in no time and deliver some stunning work.

Even with such buzz, All’s Fair hasn’t been without hiccups. Halle Berry was originally set to star alongside Kim Kardashian in the show, but scheduling conflicts made it impossible. Berry’s replacement has yet to be announced, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the short list includes a slew of talented actresses clamoring to work with Ryan Murphy. And, of course, I can't imagine that may would turn their nose up at the prospect of working with a living legend like Glenn Close.

A release window has yet has yet to be announced for All's Fair, but keep in mind that the show will eventually be available to stream with a Hulu subscription in the near future. For more information on other exciting titles heading to network TV and streaming, be sure to consult our 2024 TV premiere schedule.

I realize that I’m not an actor and have no reason to be jealous of them, however, the more I know about Knives Out 3 (AKA Wake Up Dead Man), the more I want to be a part of the making of this movie. Most recently, Kerry Washington spoke out about how excited she is to start filming with her co-stars like Josh Brolin and Glenn Close, and as I said, I can’t help but be a tad jealous over and overwhelmingly hyped about this project on the 2025 movie schedule.

Now that the cast of Wake Up Dead Man is known, and Rian Johnson announced that Knives Out 3 is filming, the actors in this ensemble are getting asked about the project. Of course, they have to keep things pretty close to the chest when it comes to plot details. However, while talking to People, Kerry Washington shared how excited she is to start working on this highly anticipated whodunnit:

I imagine it is like summer camp. Both the Knives Out cast and Glass Onion ensemble were stacked with A-Listers, and Wake Up Dead Man is no different. Summer camp feels like an appropriate way to describe working on this movie, especially when the list of co-stars is as fun as this one. Along with Washington, Johnson has assembled quite the crew, which includes: Daniel Craig (of course), Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, and MCU pals turned whodunnit co-stars, Jeremy Renner and Josh Brolin.

When you mix an ensemble like that with a stunning location like the mansions in the first two mysteries from Rian Johnson, I’m sure it does feel like summer camp.

Washington went on to say that she’s also excited about the project because it will reunite her with some old friends, she said:

For some context, the Scandal star and Glenn Close were both in the 2004 TV movie Strip Search. Washington also worked with Brolin on The Dead Girl, which came out in 2006 – and, fun fact, also starred OG Knives Out star Toni Collette. So, it’ll be exciting to see these folks reunite on screen two decades later.

Along with that, Washington referenced her “new friends.” One of the reasons these films are so delightful is they bring together a cast you’d never expect. Seeing veteran actors like Kerry Washington and Jeremy Renner interact with the likes of breakouts like Challengers star Josh O’Connor and Civil War’s Cailee Spaeny will be so entertaining! And knowing Rian Johnson, he has some surprises up his sleeve that will make this whole collaboration even better and more unpredictable. As the Ray star said:

I agree, I also think it’s going to be “a lot of fun,” and I’m jealous that they all get to live the mystery now, while we have to wait over a year to watch the movie. However, I’ll easily get over that, and I know that the wait for Wake Up Dead Man will be well worth it.

At the moment, Knives Out 3 does not have a release date, however, they are filming it now, and it’s expected to premiere next year. While we wait for more news about this exciting movie and amusing stories about it from Kerry Washington and the cast, you can buy or rent Knives Out on Amazon and stream Glass Onion with a Netflix subscription to dive back into the wildly fun world of Benoit Blanc.

The Sundance Film Festival recently premiered a heartwarming documentary titled Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. The documentary pays tribute to the actor best known for portraying Superman in four DC movies. It also sheds light on Christopher Reeve's timeless legacy as the Man of Steel and his profound friendship with the late comedian Robin Williams. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the documentary intricately weaves the narrative of Reeve's life and career, as well as the aftermath of his debilitating 1995 accident. One of the most poignant moments in the documentary is a quote by actress Glenn Close, and overall her comment and the film as a whole brought tears to the eyes of many.

Super/Man stands out for its intimate approach, blending home videos, new interviews with Reeve’s children, and insights from his contemporaries into a rich tapestry that depicts his life and legacy. The Bostonians actor narrates a significant portion of the film posthumously through excerpts from his audiobook, taking the audience on a journey through the pivotal moments of his life. 

However, the touching friendship between Christopher and the Genie voice actor is at the heart of the documentary. This bond remained strong through the highs and lows of their respective careers and personal lives. Glenn Close, a friend of Reeve, reflects on this friendship in a particularly moving manner. Speaking about the bond between the two iconic actors (via The Guardian), she says:

Close's statement reveals the strong bond between Reeve and Williams, and highlights the significant influence their friendship had on each other's lives. It's a sad realization that had Reeve lived a little longer (he died in 2004), we might have been able to enjoy Robin Williams' presence for a bit longer too (he passed in 2014). You can get a look at the relationship between the two actors by watching the video below of Robin telling Oprah how he used comedy to cheer up his friend in the hospital after being paralyzed.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story also explores the Somewhere in Time actor’s struggles after his accident, including the physical, emotional, and mental challenges he faced. It portrays his resilience and his advocacy for disability rights, which shaped his later years and helped shape the incredible medical advancements in spinal cord injuries. 

The film is a well-balanced mix of Reeve's career highlights and personal hardships, particularly after his accident. It doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of his journey, such as the strain on his family and the significant personal and financial costs of his condition. It also highlights how Reeve's perspective on life and his role as a father and husband changed dramatically after the accident.

The Christopher Reeve Story not only commemorates the life of the beloved actor whose embodiment of the Big Blue Boy Scout is the reason so many spend time ranking Superman movies or putting their favorite Superman suits in order, but it also celebrates the enduring legacy of his friendship with Williams. 

There is no word on whether the doc will hit the 2024 movie schedule, as it’s still waiting for broader distribution. It is currently unknown when the doc will be released to audiences, but be sure to check back with CinemaBlend for more updates.

If you want to revisit some of Robin Williams' best movies or Christopher Reeve’s incredible performances, check out some of their best work streaming with an Amazon Prime Video plan or a Max subscription. 

The list of Best Picture winners is short, and exclusive, which means that even some of the most acclaimed, decorated, and generally well-liked actors of all time haven't taken home the grand prize at the Academy Awards. You might be surprised by the number of celebrities we have listed below — many of which have Oscars of their own — that have never starred in a Best Picture winner.

Denzel Washington

As one of a few actors who have two Oscars to their name, you might assume that some of the best Denzel Washington movies were also guaranteed a Best Picture win, right? Surprisingly, the star of Glory and Training Day has never made a movie that won the Academy's big prize, but at least he can say that King Kong still ain’t got nothing on him.

Heath Ledger

If what many consider to be one of the Academy’s greatest mistakes (awarding Crash Best Picture over Brokeback Mountain in 2006) had not happened, Heath Ledger’s name would not be on this list. However, the late Australian actor still left behind a stunning legacy only so many actors can dream of. Notably, he won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the Joker in one of the best superhero movies, The Dark Knight.

Christian Bale

Five of Christian Bale’s best movies have been nominated for Best Picture (The Fighter, American Hustle, The Big Short, Vice, and Ford v. Ferrari), but to no avail. At least his performance in The Fighter — David O. Russell’s 2010 boxing biopic — earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Robert Downey Jr.

It is already hard enough to believe that Robert Downey Jr. has only two Oscar nominations (for Chaplin and Tropic Thunder), and that none of his many great movies outside of the MCU have achieved the highest honor, either. However, things could change at the 2024 Oscars, given his stunning work in the Oppenheimer cast and the promising chances for Christopher Nolan’s glowing biopic.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette is an extraordinarily talented actor with the accolades to prove it, including an Oscar nomination for 1999’s The Sixth Sense. However, the classic M. Night Shyamalan movie is also one of a few Toni Collette movies to be nominated for Best Picture (also including 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine), but she hasn't been in a winner yet.

Will Smith

From TV sitcoms to sci-fi blockbusters to critically acclaimed biopics, Will Smith’s filmography is pretty extraordinary, but it does not include Best Picture winners. If that does change for him soon, he may be unable to celebrate the honor in person. This is because he has been banned from future ceremonies for the next decade after slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars — which also happened to be the night he won Best Actor for King Richard.

Harrison Ford

Two of Harrison Ford's most iconic characters were featured in two Best Picture Nominees -- the original Star Wars movie, where he played Han Solo, and the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark -- but neither of them won. At least Ford, who does have an Oscar nomination for fellow Best Picture nominee 1985’s Witness, can say those films, among others, made him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

Scarlett Johansson

Some of the most significant films of Scarlett Johansson’s career were Best Pictures nominees — such as her breakthrough role in one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation, and her dual Oscar-nominated performances the same year for Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story. Of course, none of these films took home the top prize.

Ryan Gosling

There was a time when it seemed like Ryan Gosling would not be eligible for a list like this when we thought La La Land won Best Picture in 2017. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken envelopes and the real winner was Moonlight. The Barbie cast member was also in the nominated film The Big Short, and there are sure to be more Ryan Gosling movies getting Oscar consideration.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close is one of those actors whose longtime losing streak at the Academy Awards — eight nominations, zero wins — continues to baffle audiences. Add on the fact that none of her best movies have won Best Picture either and the notion becomes simply unspeakable.

Jennifer Lawrence

The Academy loves Jennifer Lawrence — nominating her four times and awarding her the Best Actress Oscar for 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook. However, they seem to like her just a bit more than Jennifer Lawrence’s best movies, none of which have received the Best Picture award.

Julia Roberts

I suppose Julia Roberts’ multiple nominations and one win — for Erin Brockovich — had me convinced that she had been in a Best Picture winner at some point. In truth, said biopic from 2000 is actually the only Best Picture nominee among Roberts’ filmography so far, and it lost to Gladiator.

Meg Ryan

Would you believe that Meg Ryan has never been nominated for an Academy Award? Well, what if I told you that none of her movies — which include some of the best romantic comedies of all time, like When Harry Met Sally — were considered for the top prize either? Some talents just do not get the recognition they deserve.

Laura Linney

Curiously, Laura Linney has been nominated for her performances in 2000’s You Can Count On Me, Kinsey from 2004, and 2007’s The Savages — none of which even received Best Picture nominations. She has been in a Best Picture nominee though — Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River — however, that did not win either.

George Clooney

For a while, George Clooney’s filmography seemed to consist primarily of Best Picture nominees, such as Syriana (for which he won Best Supporting Actor) and Good Night, and Good Luck (which also earned him nods for writing and directing). However, in terms of the Best Picture category, that’s all any of them ever amounted to being; nominee.

Samuel L. Jackson

With a resume as lengthy and renowned as his, you would think Samuel L. Jackson has been in at least one Best Picture winner but he has not… yet. He has starred in quite a few Best Pictures nominees — many of which are Quentin Tarantino movies like Pulp Fiction, for which he received his sole Oscar nomination.

Hugh Jackman

Tom Hooper’s 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables earned eight nominations including one for Best Picture and and another for Best Actor for Hugh Jackman, but those categories were not among the three it did win. At least the Australian X-Men movie star has had the honor of hosting an Oscar ceremony before.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt has won a Golden Globe for Gideon’s Daughters, a Screen Actors Guild Award for 2018’s A Quiet Place, and three BAFTA nominations for The Devil Wears Prada, a special “Rising Star Award” from the same year, and The Girl on the Train. However, never has the Academy given her a nod, nor have any of Emily Blunt’s movies even been nominated for Best Picture.

Jake Gyllenhaal

The fact that Jake Gyllenhaal has only been nominated for an Oscar once — for Best Supporting Actor in 2005’s Brokeback Mountain surprisingly enough -- is crazy. To learn that said LGBTQ+ romance movie is the only film of his to receive a Best Picture nomination is equally baffling.

Matthew McConaughey

Mathew McConaughey has starred in two films nominated for Best Picture — Dallas Buyer’s Club, for which he won his Best Actor Oscar, and The Wolf of Wall Street — which were both released in 2013. Even with favorable odds like that, neither acclaimed drama took home the gold that year.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has been nominated for three Oscars, and she took home one in 2011 for Black Swan. Darren Aronofsky’s twisted tale of ambition gone too far is also the actor’s only film to be nominated for Best Picture.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is one of those actors who was overdue for his Oscar for a long time before he broke the streak with his transformative performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Before (and after) his win, the British actor appeared in just a couple of Best Picture nominees — namely Oliver Stone’s JFK and David Fincher’s Mank.  

Amy Adams

The fact that none of Amy Adams’ movies have earned a Best Picture Oscar — despite six being nominated, including American Hustle and Arrival — is not particularly shocking. What is shocking is that the actor also has six nominations of her own and has never won any of them.

Angela Bassett

Years after she was nominated for an Academy Award as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, Angela Bassett made history as the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a Marvel movie performance (as Queen Ramona in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Yet, her first Marvel movie, 2018’s Black Panther, is her only Best Picture nominee. 

Jeff Bridges

In addition to taking home an Oscar for Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges has many Best Picture nominees under his belt, from 1971’s The Last Picture Show to Hell or High Water from 2016. Not a single one of them took him the grand prize, but I think the Academy’s biggest misstep in regards to acting legend was not nominating him for playing The Dude in The Big Lebowski.

Michael Caine

Despite two Academy Award wins to his name (one for 1986’s, Hannah and Her Sisters, and the other for 1999’s The Cider House Rules) Michael Caine cannot say he has starred in a Best Picture. Unfortunately, since the 90-year-old actor told The Telegraph that he is “sort of retired now,” he may never receive that honor.

Robin Williams

The late Robin Williams led a tremendous, widely beloved career that really made us laugh, through movies like 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire, as well as cry, like with his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting. That 1997 favorite and 1989’s Dead Poets Society are the only two Best Picture nominees he starred in.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry gave a landmark performance in 2001's Monster's Ball which earned her a historic Best Actress Oscar win. However, that film was not nominated for Best Picture, and neither has anything else the actor has starred in.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn has won Best Actor twice -- first for 2003's Mystic River by director Clint Eastwood and second for the title character of the powerful 2008 biopic, Milk. Neither of those acclaimed dramas got a Best Picture win, leaving the Fast Times at Ridgemont High cast member empty-handed in that particular regard.

Sandra Oh

With 13 Emmy nominations to her name, former Grey's Anatomy cast member Sandra Oh is better known as one of the greatest modern actors from the small screen. That would explain why her otherwise impressive big screen career -- which includes Alexander Payne's Best Picture-nominated Sideways -- does not include any grand prize winners at the Oscars at the moment.

Bradley Cooper

The otherwise bewildering fact that none of Bradley Cooper's many Oscar-nominated performances -- such as in 2012's Silver Linings Playbook or 2014's American Sniper -- nor his many Best Picture-nominated films -- including the two aforementioned films -- have resulted in any wins is not particularly a concern of mine. What I am surprised, and concerned, about is the snub for directing A Star is Born, which hopefully gets made up for when the upcoming Netflix movie, Maestro, comes out.

Viola Davis

I am happy that we live in a world in which an actor of momentous talent such as Viola Davis has been recognized and rewarded by the Academy with her Oscar win for 2016's Fences. That alone makes me, at least, content with the fact that there are still no Best Picture winners on her resume as of today.

Perhaps there will come a day when the names on this list change drastically and many of the actors above can say they have been in a Best Picture Oscar winner. For now, just keep cross your fingers and keep your hopes up for the next ceremony.

For the last few months Back In Action has not been, well, back in action. The movie starring Jamie Foxx, Glenn Close, Cameron Diaz and more continued filming in the wake of his mystery illness news, but its status has been unclear in recent months as the actor has continued his recovery (which apparently includes Foxx playing pickleball). Meanwhile, he recently spoke out at length about his recovery process, and his co-stars were among the a-listers who sent their well wishes. 

Back in Action has been highly touted as Cameron Diaz’s return to acting: a big deal, given she’d said only a couple of short years before she didn’t know if she’d ever star in a movie again.  However, once she hit the set, the rumor mill had mentioned Diaz might not have been so happy about getting back into the acting game. Around the time of Foxx’s illness, some outlets reported there had been behind-the-scenes drama on Back in Action, though the insiders who commented did not make it completely clear what the alleged issues were. Some even said Diaz was happy to "have wrapped" her part in the film.

Yet, when Foxx finally spoke out about his hospitalization, Cameron Diaz was one of the first celebrities to comment, along with some major names including Will Smith.  

It's been clear from previous comments that Diaz loves being a mom and enjoys staying at home with daughter Raddix. Over the last few years, including during the pandemic, she's said she loves “being in the womb of [her] home with her husband” and had other similar homebody takes. 

Regardless, her get well comments on her co-star’s post make it clear that if there were issues with returning to the Hollywood limelight for a new movie, they likely had nothing to do with Foxx, as she refers to him as a “friend” and has nothing but positive things to say about his recovery. 

It’s also worth noting that while drama rumors surrounded Back in Action, the movie has had to deal with a fair share of stressors, including stopping filming for a time over a bomb threat and more. That would have been a stressful time for anyone on any movie. 

Additional co-stars from the film have also sent the actor positive wishes, with Glenn Close getting very specific in her take. She shared a memory of the last time she’d seen the actor before his illness and how “gracious” he’d been with fans. 

Ahead of all of the brouhaha surrounding Foxx’s mystery hospitalization and him admitting he didn’t want anyone to see him with “tubes” connected to his person, it's interesting how so much of the interest has been around the actor's upcoming movie projects. They Cloned Tyrone's cast was asked about Foxx getting better during its press ahead of release, and now Foxx has new movie Burial coming up. Yet It's Back in Action that has captured a lot of attention, and that will likely continue until the movie actually sees the light of day. 

We'll keep you posted regarding the upcoming movie schedule. Meanwhile, our continued thoughts go out to the actor during this period of rest, recovery, and pickleball. 

How do you pick just one of the ‘80s movies for the biggest movie stars of the decade? It’s a challenging task, but we figure we’re up for the job. So if you find yourself only able to watch a single '80s film starring each of these icons, here’s the only list you’ll need. 

Tom Cruise - Top Gun

This one is obvious, right? Top Gun is the movie that made Tom Cruise a superstar and his career has never wavered since. It was such a cultural phenomenon at the time that not only did it make an astounding $357 million at the box office (against a $15 million budget), it became the best-selling VHS tape of all time, based on pre-orders alone! Everyone saw it that summer, and again when it was released on home video. He revived the franchise 36 years later and dominated at the box office again with Top Gun: Maverick. 

Steve Martin - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Steve Martin had a string of hits in the 1980s, but his best of the bunch was Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. It’s a perfect example of how varied Martin’s comedy could be. At times refined, at others completely physical and off the wall. Martin puts everything into this performance and it shows in the results. It’s just a brilliantly hilarious film. 

Whoopi Goldberg - Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Whoopi Goldberg burst onto the big screen in The Color Purple (more on that film in a minute). Her performance was lauded by critics, with Roger Ebert calling it “one of the most amazing debut performances in movie history.” It’s certainly a film worth watching for her Oscar-nominated performance, but if you really want to get a great idea of what Goldberg was all about in the ‘80s, check out  Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Goldberg is, after all, a comedian at heart, and she brings all her comedic skill to bare in this early tech/spy thriller. It’s another A+ performance from the star of The View.

Goldie Hawn - Overboard

Goldie Hawn was already a veteran in show business by the time the ‘80s started, but she saved some of her best performances for the decade. In her final movie of the decade, she teamed up with Kurt Russell for Overboard, and the chemistry between the two is right there on the screen for all to see. Both actors are amazing, and Hawn truly is one of America’s sweethearts. 

Morgan Freeman - Lean On Me

By 1989, Morgan Freeman had been steadily working in Hollywood for more than two decades, but it was that year that his career jumped to superstar levels. He starred in 4 films in the final year of the decade, including Driving Miss Daisy and Glory. Those two films garnered 14 Oscar nominations between them, including a Best Actor nod for Freeman. It was a third film though, Lean On Me that really lit the screen on fire. Based on the true story of a principal named Joe Clark who is charged with cleaning up a Paterson, NJ school. Freeman’s performance is powerful and set the stage for all that came after it in his career. 

Demi Moore - About Last Night

One of the actors to emerge out of the 1980s “Brat Pack,” Demi Moore forged a career that lasted well into the ‘90s and beyond, with some of her finest work coming in her first few films. One of those, About Last Night, holds up incredibly well. It’s a unique take on the rom-com and is at times much more serious than so many others from this era, due in large part to the grittier story it was adapted from (David Mamet’s play, Sexual Perversity in Chicago) and Moore’s excellent performance alongside Rob Lowe.  

Harrison Ford - Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Sure, there are a few movies that would fit here for Harrison Ford, like that one about the space wars or whatever it’s called. But for pure, distilled Ford, nothing beats Indiana Jones and nothing beats the OG Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s Ford at his very best: snarky, charming, witty, and tough. No Nazi is safe with Indy after them. 

Oprah Winfrey - The Color Purple

Oprah Winfrey’s rise to all-powerful media queen began in the ‘80s and a very big piece of that was her acting performance in 1985’s The Color Purple. She was nominated for an Oscar in her film debut and almost four decades later, the film’s powerful message of overcoming abuse still resonates with audiences. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, though it shockingly didn’t win any, which is a shame. 

Chevy Chase - Fletch

Like Harrison Ford, you could go in a lot of directions with Chevy Chase, but, like Raiders, you need to go with the purest form of Chase and for that, there is nothing better than the original Fletch. He's at his sarcastic best as Irwin Fletcher. No one can quite be as charmingly condescending as peak Chase and no one is spared here. Order up a couple of steak sandwiches and some caviar; Fletch just hit a water buffalo.

Meryl Streep - Out Of Africa

In the 10 Academy Awards shows of the ‘80s, Meryl Streep was nominated seven times. She won her first (and only of the decade) for 1982’s Sophie’s Choice, but let’s get real, as amazing as she is in it, no one really wants to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and watch that one. Instead, consider a performance just as good, but slightly more upbeat (only slightly, though). Out of Africa is beautiful, as are Streep and Robert Redford in the lead roles, and the tragic story comes to life like magic with her performance. 

Geena Davis - Beetlejuice

Geena Davis made steady progress in her career in the early ‘80s but really found a new level in Beetlejuice. Her on-screen partnership with Alec Baldwin as two ghosts frustrated with the people living in their house is excellent, as they more or less play the “straight man” to Micheal Keaton’s titular character. It’s not an easy gig, but Davis is amazing. 

Jackie Chan - Police Story

Jackie Chan didn’t break big in the United States until the ‘90s and by then he was the biggest action star in Hong Kong. It was 1985’s Police Story that solidified his spot at the top and if you’ve never seen it, you definitely need to. While Chan has always been an amazing stuntman, it’s Police Story that brings all his skills to the forefront, from amazing fight scenes to the epic opening car chase with Chan hanging onto a bus with an umbrella as he pursues the baddies. It’s one of the most insane stunts in Chan’s history of insane stunts. 

Kathleen Turner - Romancing The Stone

Romancing the Stone is one of the great comedies of the 1980s and features some amazing performances from Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito, but Kathleen Turner’s Joan Wilder takes the cake. Or the bail of pot, as the case may be here. Walking that line between an intrepid explorer looking for her kidnapped sister and a damsel in distress, Turner shines. Her chemistry with Douglas and DeVito is so good, they made two more films together, the sequel Jewel of the Nile and the unrelated The War of the Roses, but it’s Stone that remains the best. 

Michael Douglas - Wall Street

Michael Douglas is great as Jack in Romancing The Stone, but it’s his portrayal of Gordon Gekko in Wall Street that makes for one of the greatest movie villains in cinema history. Of course, he won an Oscar for the performance, but it’s how quotable the movie and his character are that makes it one of the best of all time, even if those quoting don’t always understand the heavy-handed irony in each line. 

Edward James Olmos - Stand And Deliver

With Stand And Deliver, director Ramón Menéndez told the true story of math teacher Jaime Escalante who sought to raise the level of education single-handily in an East LA high school by daring to teach underprivileged Hispanic kids calculus. Edward James Olmos plays Escalante brilliantly, earning himself an Oscar nomination in the process. 

Tom Hanks - Big

Tom Hanks grew up with Big, literally and figuratively. It marks the point in his career when he jumped from a wild and wacky comedian to an actor who can take on any role, no matter how serious, and make it his own. There are the wilder moments, but there is also a real vulnerability to the man-child Josh Baskin that Hanks makes so authentic for the audience. It’s no wonder it earned him his first Oscar nomination. 

Daryl Hannah - Splash

Another Hanks movie also happens to be the great Daryl Hannah’s finest performance. Before Ariel, there was Madison, the mermaid who longed to walk on the land with humans and falls in love with an average Joe. Hannah’s performance magically convinces audiences that it’s exactly what a fish out of water would be like. 

Mel Gibson - Lethal Weapon

Back before Mel Gibson was a lightening rod for controversy, he played some pretty amazing roles and none more so that Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon series. From the very first scene, audiences see that classic “Mel Gibson Crazy Eyes” face and it sets the tone for the movie and the franchise, one that had remarkable life to it. That first scene is also why Lethal Weapon should be in the conversation for the best Christmas movie, alongside Die Hard. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Terminator

The decade wouldn't be as big and as over the top as it was without Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian bodybuilder took the movie world by storm and there are any number of enjoyable performances, but if you're looking at 1980s movies, you have to choose The Terminator. It launched him to superstardom, and it kicked off a franchise of Terminator movies that's lasted for decades. Sure, he only has a handful of lines, but no one could top his performance as a relentless killing machine that we all somehow fell in love with… later. 

Sylvester Stallone - First Blood

Not only did First Blood launch one of the most enduring franchises of the era, but it’s also just a really good film. It could be argued that it’s Sylvester Stallone’s best. His performance as a down-and-out Vietnam vet highlighted the plight of returning soldiers from that war. Brian Dennehy plays the antagonist perfectly as the angry sheriff that doesn’t take kindly to strangers in his town. A+. 

Michelle Pfeiffer - Scarface

Scarface really hasn’t aged all that well. Sure, the memes are fantastic, but as a film, it feels as dated as neon green headbands and electric typewriters. The lone exception is Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance. It’s still great, and made her one of the biggest stars of the 1980s. 

Molly Ringwald - Sixteen Candles

Molly Ringwald was once called John Hughes’ muse and it’s easy to see why she became such a mainstay in many of his hit movies from the era. Sixteen Candles is truly one of the funniest movies of the ‘80s, in part because of the side characters, but mostly it’s due to Ringwald’s fantastic performance as the girl the family forgot. 

Denzel Washington - Glory

Denzel Washington was nominated for his first Oscar for 1987’s Cry Freedom, but he won his first for 1989’s Glory. The cool thing about Glory is that it’s actually one of his most powerful performances, as audiences didn’t know him as DENZEL yet. The movie follows one of the few Black companies fighting for the Union during the Civil War and tells a story that had sort of been forgotten in the public consciousness at the time. The success of Glory and of Washington’s performance, especially in the scene where he is whipped, is one of the reasons that story will never be forgotten again. 

Jodie Foster - The Accused

The Accused is not an easy movie to watch. It begins with one of the most brutal rape scenes in cinema history and follows Jodie Foster’s character, Sarah Tobias, on the quest to get justice. The subject matter was so intense, the role was reportedly turned down by a number of A-listers at the time. It was fortuitous for Foster, who had struggled to re-ignite her career after attending Yale. Her performance won her an Oscar and the rest is history. 

Sally Field - Steel Magnolias

There are great Sally Field movies in every decade since she jumped from TV to the big screen in the mid-70s. For the ‘80s, you can’t go wrong with Steel Magnolias. It may be a tad melodramatic at times, but it stays grounded with the acting by Field and other stars like Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, and Shirley MacLaine. 

Bill Murray - Ghostbusters

Bill Murray had so many great movies in the 1980s, it’s difficult to pick just one, but in the end, you have to go with Ghostbusters. His turn as Peter Venkman is so funny, so quotable, and so lovable, that without him, it would be a completely different movie. John Belushi in the role was the original plan, but after his death, Murray ended up in the role, and now we can’t imagine it any other way. 

Robin Williams - Good Morning Vietnam

Good Morning Vietnam was an important movie in Robin Williams' stellar career. It was the movie that truly showed audiences just how great his acting chops were. He was no longer just the frenetic comedian running around the stage inspiring laughs. Williams showed his dramatic side, especially after the bomb went off in his favorite cafe. Of course, there is plenty of off-the-wall zaniness from him that we all love, which makes it one of his most well-rounded performances. 

Glenn Close - Fatal Attraction

There are few more quintessential scenes from the 1980s than the boiling bunny in Fatal Attraction. Glenn Close’s performance as the unpredictable, jilted lover is just as iconic. Like the bunny in the pot, her character comes to a slow boil, getting more and more intense as the movie moves along. It’s a masterclass in acting from the legend. 

Micheal J. Fox - Back To The Future

No way we were going to leave Michael J. Fox off this list. Between Family Ties, and Teen Wolf, there is no actor that defines the decade quite like him. Of course, it’s no surprise that the essential movie for any Fox fan is the great Back to the Future. It’s a movie that has been introduced to, and loved by, countless people from Generation X and the following generations. It’s beloved by all. 

Jane Fonda - 9 To 5

Jane Fonda, like Sally Field, has decades of outstanding movies and performances, but when she teamed up with Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin to make 9 to 5, she became an icon to a whole new generation. It’s been more than forty years since its release, but the chemistry between Fonda and Tomlin remains, as they proved last year with Moving On.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

Last, but certainly not least, we have one of the biggest breakout stars of the 1980s, Eddie Murphy. Like others, it’s hard to decide on just one, but in the end, it simply has to be Coming To America. It’s the quintessential Murphy film filled with memorable quotes and amazing performances from the entire cast, especially Murphy. 

This list could go on and on. The 1980s were a magical decade in theaters and crafting exhaustive list would prove to be impossible. Luckily, you can find the best ‘80s movies, and even '80s movies that don't get enough love if you need more. 

Whenever Glenn Close’s name appears, the project she is attached to is bound to be a big deal. It seems the eight-time Oscar nominee has found a great follow-up to 2021’s acclaimed Apple TV flick Swan Song. She has a Stranger Things star along for the ride instead of Mahershala Ali this time. But the real cherry on top is the huge sum of money Netflix shelled out to become the upcoming film’s distributor.

Deadline reported a source close to the streamer claimed it paid out $65 million to have Lee Daniels' untitled horror thriller be part of its original films lineup. Netflix was the victor in acquiring the rights as MGM and Miramax allegedly had their sights on the genre film as well. But the reported bidding war was worth it as the horror flick boasts an impressive cast of A-listers and rising stars. Along with Swan Song’s Glenn Close, the film will star Strange Things’ Caleb McLaughlin, Andra Day, Octavia Spencer, Rob Morgan and King Richard’s Aunjanue Ellis.

As with most of his projects, Daniels will direct and produce the thriller based on a script he rewrote. In addition to the United States vs. Billie Holiday filmmaker, Tucker Tooley and Pam Williams will produce the untitled film. Turn Left Productions’ Todd Crites and Jackson Nguyen will serve as producers with Greg Renker and Gregoire Gensollen attached as executive producers.

The exorcism thriller is inspired by coverage from the Indianapolis Star about Latoya Ammons, a single mother, and her three children living in a haunted house in Gary, IN. Multiple accounts from the local police, the area hospital, and the Department of Child Services backed up the mother’s claims. Of course, the film will have a fictional take on the story.

For the film adaptation, Andra Day will play the mother with Glenn Close playing her character’s mother. It will be Day and Lee Daniels’ second collaboration since her Oscar-nominated turn as jazz legend Billie Holiday in 2020’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Caleb McLaughlin is set to play one of Day’s children while Rob Morgan and Octavia Spencer portray the mother’s boyfriend and the clergy member who helps Day’s character deal with her haunted home, respectively. It is currently unknown what role Aunjanue Ellis will play in the film. So, all the elements are in place to make this potential horror classic.

The recount has been in the works since 2014 when the story first broke. Tucker Tooley has held onto the rights as Orphan: First Kill scribe Dave Coggeshall and Elijah Bynum wrote separate drafts before Daniels boarded the project. Now with Daniels at the helm, the film is heading from developmental hell into production.

The yet-titled film is expected to begin production around the middle of 2022. It is currently unknown when the exorcism thriller will premiere on Netflix. If you want to keep with any updates regarding the Netflix thriller, stay tuned to CinemaBlend for any new developments.

When considering the list of actors and actresses overdue for an Oscar, there are few that hit like Glenn Close. Astonishingly, the talented and versatile performer has never had her name read from the envelope at the Academy Awards despite being nominated eight times over the course of her career. Close has been in some of the most talked about movies of the past 40 years, whether it’s timeless classics like The Big Chill, bone-chilling psychological thrillers like Fatal Attraction, or even massive action movies like Air Force One.

If you want to take a trip down memory lane and watch the best Glenn Close movies, then you have come to the right place, because we’re about to break down 12 of her most iconic films, and where you can watch them streaming and through various other means.

Fatal Attraction (1987)

New York Lawyer Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) bites off more than he can chew when he begins an extramarital relationship with book editor Alex Forrest, though he doesn’t know it at the time. Upon breaking off the affair, Dan finds himself caught in the middle of Alex’s mental breakdown, a downward spiral that includes aggression, obsessive behavior, stalking, and a full-on attack on his family and their home. 

Despite not being a fan of the film’s ending, Glenn Close provided a terrifying and unforgettable performance in 1987’s Fatal Attraction, one that we’re still discussing all these years later.

Stream Fatal Attraction on Cinemax.
Rent/Buy Fatal Attraction on Amazon.
Buy Fatal Attraction on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Big Chill (1983)

When a group of college friends who haven’t seen one another in years reunite to attend the funeral of a dear friend (played by Kevin Costner, though his scenes were cut), they take a trip down memory lane and revisit why they were all so close and what drove them apart. The reunion is extended when two of the friends (played by Glenn Close and Kevin Kline) host the group over an extended weekend.

What is there not to love about the cast (Tom Berenger, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, JoBeth Williams), story, and rocking soundtrack of The Big Chill? This movie will make you laugh, cry, and want to call those old buddies just to check in.

Stream The Big Chill on AMC+ (Amazon Add-on).
Rent/Buy The Big Chill on Amazon.
Buy The Big Chill on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Albert Nobbs (2011)

Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) is a quiet, efficient, and generally liked butler living and working in 19th-century Ireland, but there is one secret he cannot afford to have exposed, and that is that he is actually a woman. In an attempt to keep up the charade and not have his secret exposed, Albert begins to court Helen Dawes (Mia Wasikowska), a young maid whom he hopes will play along.

Glenn Close was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her portrayal of the titular character in Albert Nobbs, a role she first played on stage years earlier and spent a great deal of time and energy getting off the ground, according to The Irish Times.

Stream Albert Nobbs on Kanopy.
Rent/Buy Albert Nobbs on Amazon.
Buy Albert Nobbs on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Wife (2018)

As her husband, Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce) is preparing to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, the quiet and reserved Joan Castleman (Glenn Close) has a bit of a personal crisis and begins to recount their 40-year marriage, the sacrifices she has made, and all of the betrayals that have nearly broken them apart.

Glenn Close won her first Golden Globe in the Film category (third overall) for her commanding performance in The Wife, a movie that also earned her an Academy Award nomination for her tremendous portrayal of a woman in crisis.

Stream The Wife on Starz.
Rent/Buy The Wife on Amazon.
Buy The Wife on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Paper (1994)

When interviewing for a new job at a more prestigious New York City newspaper, New York Sun metro editor Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) stumbles across a massive scoop, one that could prevent two Black teenagers from going to prison for a crime they did not commit. But, there is only one problem: his new boss and nemesis, Alicia Clark (Glenn Close), doesn’t want to hold the presses and run the corrected story for fear of hurting the paper’s bottom line.

The 1994 dramedy The Paper is one of the best journalism movies of the past 30 years, thanks in part to the performances from Glenn Close, Michael Keaton, and the rest of the outstanding cast.

Rent/Buy The Paper on Amazon.
Buy The Paper on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Air Force One (1997)

The most high-profile plane in the sky becomes the center of the world when terrorists hijack Air Force One and hold its passengers, including President James Marshall (Harrison Ford), hostage in hopes of securing the release of a deposed dictator. But, there is one thing Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) and the rest of his cronies don’t take into account: a president willing to fight back.

As great as the in-air drama is in Air Force One, it’s the situation on the ground with Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) that gives the movie a lot of heart. Plus, the movie makes the presidential line of succession a great plot device.

Rent/Buy Air Force One on Amazon.
Buy Air Force One on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Two bitterly jealous members of high society in pre-French Revolution Paris, Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich) formulate a plan to get back at those who have slighted them in the past, a scheme that could potentially ruin not only the love lives of their enemies, but practically every aspect of their existence before it’s over and done.

Despite featuring some of the most self-centered and opportunistic characters you’ll meet just about anywhere, Dangerous Liaisons is a movie you can’t help but watch, even if you cringe at the anxiety-inducing drama of it all.

Stream Dangerous Liaisons on Showtime.
Rent/Buy Dangerous Liaisons on Amazon.
Buy Dangerous Liaisons on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Reversal Of Fortune (1990)

When New York socialite Sunny von Bülow (Glenn Close) goes into diabetic shock following a Christmas party, she falls into a coma and is on the verge of death. Her husband, Claus von Bülow (Jeremy Irons) is charged with attempted murder even though he makes many claims of his innocence. When all else fails, the accused man turns to Alan Dershowitz and makes a deal the legendary attorney can’t turn down.

Though mostly remembered for Jeremy Irons’ Oscar-winning performance, Glenn Close is at the center of Reversal of Fortune’s intricate narrative and even provides the film’s narration throughout.

Stream Reversal of Fortune on The Criterion Channel.
Rent/Buy Reversal of Fortune on Amazon.
Buy Reversal of Fortune on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Cookie’s Fortune (1999)

When her aunt commits suicide, Camille Dixon (Glenn Close) puts into motion a plan that could prove to be more trouble than it’s worth. To make it look as if her Aunt Cookie (Patricia Neal) didn’t kill herself, Camille makes it appear as if the elderly woman was murdered in her own home as part of a botched robbery. But, then the real drama, especially for one innocent man, truly begins.

The 1999 black comedy Cookie’s Fortune features Glenn Close playing one of her most memorable and hated characters, one who will do anything to make her life easier, even if everyone around her pays the price.

Buy Cookie’s Fortune on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The World According To Garp (1982)

Desperate for a child but not a husband, Jenny Fields (Glenn Close) has sex with a dying soldier during World War II and later gives birth to T.S. Garp (played later by Robin Williams). When Garp grows up, the pair travel to Europe where they both find success writing, Garp with fiction, Jenny with a semi-autobiographical book that becomes a feminist sensation. The notoriety, however, brings conflict and danger to their lives, and someone will have to pay.

Glenn Close made her feature film debut in 1982 with The World According to Garp, a performance that would kickstart one of the most notable runs in Hollywood in the past 40 years.

Stream The World According to Garp on Kanopy.
Rent/Buy The World According to Garp on Amazon.
Buy The World According to Garp on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Natural (1984)

Years after he is nearly killed by a gunshot to the stomach and ending his pitching career before it even starts, Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is given a second shot at baseball glory when he signs with the New York Knights. With his trusty bat “Wonderboy,” Hobbs becomes a monster at the plate and hits his team into first place. But, Hobbs’ life soon becomes complicated when ghosts of his past (including the gunshot) come back from out of nowhere.

In addition to being one of the best sports movies of all time, The Natural also features a moving love story involving Roy Hobbs and his old girlfriend, Iris Gaines (Glenn Close), a woman who comes back into his life and helps in more ways than one.

Stream The Natural on Showtime.
Rent/Buy The Natural on Amazon.
Buy The Natural on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

101 Dalmatians (1996)

Not willing to accept “no” for an answer, Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close) decides to take off the gloves and do everything in her power to get her hands on a litter of dalmatian puppies. While De Vil’s plan first appears to be a success, she is met by the puppies’ parents, their owners, and other creatures in this live-action adaptation of a Disney classic.

It is hard to imagine anyone else playing Cruella De Vil in the 1996 live-action version of 101 Dalmatians besides Glenn Close. Throughout this charming and fun movie, Close proves that she was born for this role.

Stream 101 Dalmatians on Disney+.
Rent/Buy 101 Dalmatians on Amazon.

This is just barely scratching the surface of all the great Glenn Close movies, as she has given memorable performances in Tarzan, Hillbilly Elegy, and even Guardians of the Galaxy, to name only a few. With other projects in the works, there’s a good chance you’ll see Close’s name come up in some of the upcoming 2022 movies.

• Check out this list of the best Amazon movies.
• Don't forget to take a look at the best movies on Netflix.

In the matter of a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has arguably become Disney's most popular property, making it a no-brainer for the company to expand its cinematic vision to Walt Disney Parks. Over the summer, the studio’s original theme park in California became the home of Avengers Campus and, now, Walt Disney World is receiving its first Marvel ride in Orlando, Florida. The attraction in question is an indoor rollercoaster based on Guardians of the Galaxy called Cosmic Rewind. Now, we've learned that one surprising MCU character will be part of the experience. 

On Saturday morning, Disney Parks updated fans about what’s coming up during its Destination D23 event. One of the announcements shared that none-other-than Glenn Close would be part of the ride to reprise her role as Nova Prime. The critically-acclaimed actress shared the news herself in a video: 

Glenn Close showed up in her full Nova Prime costume, which was first glimpsed by fans in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy film. The actress shared her excitement about reprising her role as the commander of Nova Corps. Reportedly, Close’s character will be involved in the pre-show ahead of guests getting on the ride. It sounds similar to the role Tom Holland plays in the Avengers Campus ride: Web-Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, as he sets up the premise of the attraction before guests board.  

Nova Prime isn’t exactly the typical pick one would jump to from Guardians of the Galaxy's lineup of characters. Still, she played an important role in the original movie, particularly when her home planet of Xander was threatened by Ronan the Accuser. In the video message, Glenn Close expressed her excitement to be part of the ride that will see guests helping her save the galaxy. Now the question is whether Cosmic Rewind will involve elements from the adventure in the first Guardians movie or something completely new. 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is coming to EPCOT next summer during Walt Disney World’s 50th celebration, which kicked off last month on its actual birthday and will span 18 months, until early 2023. The indoor story coaster will rotate 360 degrees, to allow for guests to always be focused on the action taking place on the ride. Additionally, it will be the first ride in Disney history to include a reverse launch along with being one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world. 

Writer/director of the Guardians movies, James Gunn is also involved in bringing the vision of his movies into attraction form as he films the third Guardians of the Galaxy movie, which kicked off production earlier this month. Vol. 3 is set to hit theaters on May 5, 2023 following an exciting lineup of upcoming Marvel movies. After a long wait, it seems we have a lot from the Guardians side of the MCU to look forward to in the near future. 

What would you do if you knew you were dying, but could spare your family the pain of your loss? Apple TV+’s Swan Song tries to answer that question, as Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali plays a man who, through the help of Glenn Close, gets cloned so that his family never has to miss him. The only problem is, he can never see his wife or child again, otherwise the whole process was all for nothing. 

Writer/director Benjamin Cleary looks to have put together a portrait of loss and sorrow in this Apple TV+ original. The concept is impressive on its own, but looking at the cast list on display in Swan Song’s trailer makes it all the more exciting. In addition to Mahershala Ali and Glenn Close, we also get to see actors Naomie Harris and Awkwafina helping piece together the concept of losing your family without ever having to say goodbye. 

Just when you thought Mahershala Ali was already an intense figure on screen, Swan Song sees the two time Academy Award winner turning his own intensity on himself. Wrestling with the fact that another version of him has taken his place in the family he’s trying to protect, this film isn’t a fantastical vision of cloning that engages in the usual paranoia. Instead, Benjamin Cleary’s spin on this sci-fi staple digs into dour, emotional consequences. 

For those of you who still aren’t over the emotional punch that Ali and his Moonlight co-star Naomie Harris delivered in their Best Picture winning collaboration, Swan Song looks like it’s going to be just as heavy. With Harris unknowingly caught in the middle between two different versions of Mahershala Ali’s character, it feels like the whole situation is building towards one gigantic catharsis towards the end of the film. Both actors could see themselves yet again nominated for acting accolades, and for the same film. 

Good science fiction can allow us to see the human condition a bit clearer through a fantastical lens. With Swan Song, grief and closure are seemingly in the balance, with the added complication of saying goodbye while you still can. As Apple TV+ is about to release the apocalyptic Tom Hanks road trip movie Finch onto its platform, it seems that this streamer may have found a niche for itself. 

Swan Song is headed to theaters, and Apple TV+, on December 17, 2021. But if you want to see what other movies are heading into the world throughout the rest of the year, 2021’s movie schedule is waiting out there. Which is a perfect escape from tearjerking sci-fi, should that not be the type of movie you’re currently in the mood for. Sadly, if you can’t wait for Mahershala Ali’s Blade, we’re still not sure when that film will be hitting theaters. But if you're a Naomie Harris fan, you can take a look at her latest and upcoming projects currently in release, or in the works.

For people of a certain age, there are few ‘90s action movies that are as beloved as Wolfgang Petersen’s 1997 political action thriller Air Force One, which just so happened to feature one of the best Harrison Ford characters of the decade and his career. Outside of Ford, with his portrayal of United States President James Marshall, and Gary Oldman as Egor Korshunov, the leader of a Kazakh ultranationalist terrorist group, the rest of the Air Force One cast is a list that is long as it as is impressive.

From Glenn Close’s portrayal of Vice President Kathryn Bennett to William H. Macy’s Major Norman Caldwell, the list goes on and on, all the way down to smaller supporting characters with only a few brief moments of screen time. No matter how long they were on screen or what they did with the time they had, each of these members the cast played an important role, and for the most part, have continued to so since then. Here’s what the Air Force One cast has been up to all these years.

Harrison Ford (President James Marshall)

Even though Air Force One came out around the time Harrison Ford was celebrating his 30th year in Hollywood, the man known to some as Han Solo and Indiana Jones to others hasn’t really slowed down all that much and continues to give excellent performances in a variety of roles. In the 24 years since he portrayed President James Marshall, Ford has returned to his two most popular characters and franchises — Star Wars and Indiana Jones — with neither time nor injuries slowing him down one bit. Speaking of Ford’s iconic and dashing archeologist, he will return to the character once more in the upcoming Indiana Jones 5 in July 2022.

Gary Oldman (Egor Korshunov)

There are few actors who play a better villain than Gary Oldman, and one of the Academy Award winner’s best is Egor Korshunov from Air Force One. Since taking on the role of the ruthless leader of the band of terrorists who hijack the most heavily-fortified plane in the world, Oldman’s career has continued to be one of the most impressive (and versatile) in show business. With iconic performances as Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour (which won him an Oscar), and Herman J. Mankiewicz in Mank, Oldman has continued to be one of the best actors around.

Glenn Close (Vice President Kathryn Bennett)

Although she’s not on the plane in Air Force One, Glenn Close’s Vice President Kathryn Bennett plays a key role in action thriller, serving as the second-in-command and biggest supporter of President James Marshall. Since portraying the strong and resolute character that added a level of realism to a subplot involving the presidential line of succession, Close has gone to win three Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmys, and multiple Academy Award nominations, her most recent being for the 2020 Netflix drama Hillbilly Elegy.

William H. Macy (Major Norman Caldwell)

William H. Macy was on quite a tear when he joined the Air Force One cast as Major Norman Caldwell in the 1997 political thriller and his momentum just kept going after that with Boogie Nights and Wag the Dog both coming out by the end of that year. Since then, Macy has continued to be one of the most prolific actors in film and television with his most notable role being that of Frank Gallagher on the hit Showtime series Shameless which concluded its 11-season run in early 2021. Prior to the show’s conclusion, Macy was honored with three Screen Actors Guild Awards and received five consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nods.

Wendy Crewson (First Lady Grace Marshall)

Since playing First Lady Grace Marshall, a character who never loses her cool despite the circumstances, Wendy Crewson has gone on to become a staple in the world of television, having portrayed recurring characters on 24 and Revenge as well as dozens of made-for-TV movies. The actress, who some may remember from The Santa Clause and its sequels, most recently appeared on an episode of The CW’s Superman & Lois.

Liesel Matthews (First Daughter Grace Marshall)

Liesel Matthews (real name: Liesel Pritzker Simmons) only appeared in three movies in her brief acting career: A Little Princess in 1995, Air Force One in 1997, and Blast in 2000. Since leaving acting behind, the member of the wealthy Pritzker family has gone on to become a driving force in the world of impact investing (investments that have beneficial social and ecological impacts in addition to generating revenue) and even founded the Blue Haven Initiative in 2012.

Philip Baker Hall (Attorney General Andrew Ward)

Philip Baker Hall is briefly featured in Air Force One as Attorney General Andrew Ward, but he makes the most of his time, especially when settling a dispute between the Marshall Administration. Since being the voice of reason in the political thriller, Hall has gone on to be in some of the most important films of the final years of the 20th Century and early 21st Century, including The Truman Show, Magnolia, Zodiac, and Argo, as well TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Modern Family, and BoJack Horseman. His most recent performance was on the Netflix series Messiah, which lasted only one season on the streamer.

Paul Guilfoyle (White House Chief Of Staff Lloyd Shepherd)

In addition to playing White House Chief of Staff Lloyd Shepherd in Air Force One, Paul Guilfoyle was in two other memorable 1997 movies: L.A. Confidential and Amistad. Guilfoyle would go on to appear in several other late ‘90s gems including Primary Colors and Random Hearts. The dawn of the 21st Century led to Guilfoyle’s most notable role, that of Captain James Brass on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation from 2000 to 2014. Guilfoyle is set to reprise his role on the upcoming CSI: Vegas. He will also appear in the Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up.

Dean Stockwell (Defense Secretary Walter Dean)

Dean Stockwell, who appeared in everything from Paris, Texas to Dune before joining the Air Force One cast as Defense Secretary Walter Dean, retired from acting following a 2015 stroke, but finished his 70-year career with appearances on multiple shows throughout the early 2000s including Battlestar Galactica, CSI: New Orleans (where he reunited with his Quantum Leap co-star Scott Bakula, and Stargate SG-1.

Xander Berkeley (Secret Service Special Agent Gibbs)

Secret Service Special Agent Gibbs, aka the mole, aka the man who goes down with the plane in Air Force One, is played by Xander Berkeley. In the years following the release of the 1997 summer blockbuster, Berkeley has gone on to appear in everything from Taken to Kick-Ass and Transcendence to Solace. Over on the television side of things, Berkeley has recently appeared in small one-off roles on shows like FBI: Most Wanted, Bull, and Supergirl, as well as a 13-episode run as Gregory on The Walking Dead.

Elya Baskin (Andrei Kolchak)

Elya Baskin played Andrei Kolchak, the hijacker who actually knew how to fly the plane in Air Force One, and has gone on to have a rather successful career in film and television. In addition to notable film roles like Peter Parker’s landlord Mr. Ditkovich in Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3, Anatoly Dobrynin in Thirteen Days, and Cosmonaut Dimitri in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Baskin has also appeared on shows like The West Wing, Criminal Minds, and the upcoming Stranger Things Season 4.

Andrew Divoff (Boris Bazylev)

Andrew Divoff takes on the role of Boris Bazylev, one of the hijackers in Air Force One. Already an established actor with a track record of villainous roles in Another 48 Hours and Toy Soldiers, Divoff followed up the 1997 thriller with a performance in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Lockdown, and most recently Vault. Divoff has also appeared on a number of TV shows over the years, including Lost, The Blacklist, and Perry Mason.

Tom Everett (National Security Advisor Jack Doherty)

One of the members of the Air Force One cast who also a member of the xXx cast, Tom Everett took on the role National Security Advisor Jack Doherty, who stood up to the hijackers even if it guaranteed he wouldn’t get off the plane alive. In addition to the aforementioned xXx, Everett also went on to appear in Thirteen Days, Pearl Harbor, and The Alamo in the years following the release of the 1997 summer action flick. In recent years, Everett has transitioned to television with appearances on Helstrom, Criminal Minds, 24, and several other programs.

Jürgen Prochnow (General Ivan Radek)

Jürgen Prochnow portrays General Ivan Radek, the man responsible for the events of Air Force One. In the past 24 years, Prochnow has appeared in movies like Wing Commander and House of the Dead as well as shows like 24, Luck, and NCIS: Los Angeles.

J.A. Preston (Major General Samuel Greely)

J.A. Preston shows up in Air Force One as Major General Samuel Greely, one of the few military officers who isn’t willing to count President James Marshall out. Following the film’s release, Preston only appeared in a handful of movies and TV shows with his final on-screen appearance being in 2006’s Sweet Deadly Dreams. Preston’s earlier movies include A Few Good Men, Body Heat, and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.

This is just a small portion of the insanely deep Air Force One cast. If we included every single actor who appeared in the 1997 summer blockbuster, we would be here until all the upcoming 2022 movies were already out on Blu-ray.

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For the first time in over twenty years, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians’ Cruella de Vil is returning to the big screen with Emma Stone’s take on the iconic villain. The origin story follows the character from before she was known as Cruella and tells her devious story in the world of fashion alongside Emma Thompson’s Baroness. But Cruella is fully its own take on the character, and not delving into what the animated classic or the Glenn Close-led remake explored.

When CinemaBlend spoke to Cruella director, Craig Gillespie, we asked the filmmaker about if he looked back at the previous versions in the Disney canon ahead of making the upcoming theatrical and Disney+ release. Here’s what he said:

Craig Gillespie chose to keep the 1996 live-action version of 101 Dalmatians to the side completely when making Cruella. The Disney movie had Glenn Close adapting the villain in her own way before reprising the role in 2000’s 102 Dalmatians. The Australian filmmaker chose to rely on his own ideas for the movie, which adds a unique flair to the House of Mouse’s live-action lineup.

During our interview, Craig Gillespie also spoke about bringing such a twisted character to the forefront in his own way. He shared one key aspect of his involvement in Cruella that he felt elevated the Disney origin story:

Prior to Emma Stone wearing the black and white wig, she had starred in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite, which earned her third Oscar nomination in 2019. When Craig Gillespie came on Cruella, he decided to enlist the movie’s co-writer Tony McNamara, also known for his work on The Great, to add some sharpness to the script.

Craig Gillespie is well known for his dark humor too in his past projects, including Margot Robbie’s transformation as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya and his early work with Ryan Gosling in Lars and the Real Girl. With this DNA in mind for Cruella, you can certainly expect something fresh from the Disney movie. Check out the trailer below:

Cruella is coming to theaters this Friday, May 28, and to homes via Disney+ Premier Access, which requires a membership plus a $30 fee. You can get ready to enjoy the movie at home on its first day of release by signing up using this link.

Check back here on CinemaBlend for more exclusive coverage on the Disney release and get ready for more highly-anticipated summer movies coming soon to theaters and streaming.

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Over the past decade, Disney has been adding some additional backstory to its classic animated characters through large-scale live action movies, such as Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent. But we must not forget that it all really started back in the ‘90s with the remake of 101 Dalmatians starring Glenn Close. As the studio adapts the story again through Cruella, we’re getting a better idea of how it connects to the previous live-action version and the 1961 animated classic.

During Disney’s Cruella virtual press conference with costume designer Jenny Beavan that CinemaBlend attended, the Oscar winner was asked about if and how she was inspired by the Cruella de Vil’s before the Emma Stone version. Here’s what she had to say:

Per the costume designer’s words, from a visual standpoint, Emma Stone’s Cruella isn’t necessarily similar to the 1961 version or Glenn Close’s character. The reason for this is the movie is a prequel, and she didn’t want to repeat herself with a Cruella de Vil who had not yet become the version we see in the previous movies. That said, Jenny Beavan did use Glenn Close’s character as a reference to imagine how she might have started before becoming her.

So basically, Cruella sounds like it is more of a prequel to the ‘90s 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians rather than to the animated movie that started it all. That clue is perhaps already apparent in the fact that the movie takes place in the ‘70s to predate Glenn Close’s character in the ‘90s, rather than going back to the ‘40s to match the first iteration.

The movie will track the character’s transformation into the villain as Stone’s Estella tries to make a name for herself in the fashion industry in London, and seems to drum up some sort of rivalry with her boss and prestigious designer, Emma Thompson’s Baroness. Check out the trailer below:

Cruella is coming to theaters and to Disney+ Premier Access later this month, following the format of Raya and the Last Dragon's release. You can sign up for Disney+ using this link.

The Disney origin story is directed by I, Tonya’s Craig Gillespie and also stars Mark Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel Fry and Kirby Howell-Baptiste. Cruella hits theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on May 28. Check out what else is coming to the streaming service this month here on CinemaBlend.

The 2021 Academy Awards was always going to be an odd year for the Oscars considering how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the film industry. Blockbusters were pushed back, more movies went to streaming than ever, and a majority of award ceremonies leading up to the industry’s biggest night largly took place over Zoom. The 93rd Academy Awards became the first major event during the season to happen in person, and while it wasn’t the most flashy of shows in the event's long history, it definitely had its share of moments to remember.

The award show will likely be remembered for Glenn Close getting down, more diversity in winners, and calls of social justice from Hollywood favorites. Let’s break down the most memorable parts of the 2021 Oscars:

Regina King Makes A Breathtaking Entrance Through Union Station

One Night In Miami director and Oscar-winning actress Regina King kicked off the night with a sleek opening moment that had the camera tracking her walking up to the stage at Los Angeles’ Union Station as the opening credits rolled for the show. It was a breathtaking reveal to the Academy Awards’ unique setup. Although King had a small trip on the stage, her tremendous presence in lieu of an Oscar host for the third year in a row more than made up for the small flub. The opening was simple, but started things off on a delightful note nonetheless.

Daniel Kaluuya Hilariously Tells Everyone His Parents Had Sex

Daniel Kaluuya took home one of the early Oscars of the night with his Best Supporting Actor win for his depiction of Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton in Shaka King’s Judas and the Black Messiah. During his speech, the actor gave moving words about portraying the important social justice leader before showing a bit of his sense of humor. He capped off the speech by sharing his excitement to celebrate his win… and reminding everyone that his mom and dad had sex and “that’s amazing.” It created a hilarious reaction shot where his sister covered her face and his mom mouthing, “what is he talking about” in hilarious disbelief.

Chloe Zhao Makes Oscar History With Her Best Director Win

The Oscars have long been criticized for its lack of diversity among its nominees, with a particular emphasis in recent years being placed on the Best Director category. This year was already a historical one for the Academy Awards, with two female directors being nominated in the same year for the first time: Nomadland’s Chloe Zhao and Promising Young Woman’s Emerald Fennell. Zhao took the prize, becoming the second woman to win the Best Director award ever, and the first woman of color to not only be nominated, but take home the prize. Before her, Kathryn Bigelow won for 2009’s The Hurt Locker.

Yuh-Jung Youn's Cute Moment With Brad Pitt

This year’s Best Supporting Actress category was packed with talent, including Olivia Colman, Glenn Close, Amanda Seyfried and Borat 2 breakout Maria Bakalova. The Oscar went to Minari’s Yuh-Jung Youn, a 73-year-old South Korean actress who has been performing for over 50 years. The award was presented by Brad Pitt and as she accepted the trophy she shared how excited she was to “finally” meet the famous leading man. She also gave a moving speech that had us all falling in love with her even deeper following her incredible performance in Minari.

Tyler Perry Urges People To ‘Refuse Hate’ During Honorary Award

Between his Madea franchise and the studio he founded in Atlanta, Tyler Perry has built his own empire within Hollywood over the past 20 years. At tonight's Oscar ceremony, he accepted the Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award with a gripping speech about rejecting hate amidst a year that will be gravely remembered for social justice protests. In an especially poignant message during the telecast, he shared the following:

It was a beautiful moment for the writer, actor, producer and director as he accepted the prestigious humanitarian award.

Glenn Close Winning Oscar Trivia And Doing "Da Butt"

This year’s Academy Awards was lacking in comedic bits , but Lil Rel Howery did come out in the third act of the show to challenge Oscar nominees to some trivia regarding famous music from the telecast’s history. First, the comedian picked on Andra Day regarding Prince’s “Purple Rain,” which had her calling out the Oscars with a bleeped out response. After Daniel Kaluuya took a crack at the game, the mic then went to eight-time nominee Glenn Close who correctly remembered the "Da Butt" song from School Daze before shaking her own butt for the dance. It was an unexpected flex from the 74-year-old, but much respect.

Frances McDormand Gives Her Best Wolf Cry For Nomadland Winning The Night

The show closed out with two major wins for Nomadland, with Frances McDormand taking home her third acting Oscar for her role as Fern, along with sharing the Best Picture honor as a producer on the critically-acclaimed movie. While the actress was short and sweet during her acting speech, she took a moment during the Best Picture acceptance to let out a glorious wolf howl into Union Station. It was a lovely moment and fitting considering the movie had the most wins of the 2021 Oscars.

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As far as winning an award goes, tonight was not Glenn Close's night at the Academy Awards. She was up for Best Supporting Actress thanks to her fantastic turn in Ron Howard's Hillbilly Elegy, but unfortunately in losing she tied the record for being nominated the most times without having taken home a trophy. Anyone else in that situation might feel super depressed and not want to engage with anybody the rest of the evening... but Glenn Close has proven that she is no ordinary person. She proved this later in the show during a very out-of-left-field trivia segment hosted by Lil Rel Howery when she magically summed some awesome movie/music knowledge by identifying and dancing to "Da Butt" from Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze.

The segment started out a bit odd, with Lil Rel Howery first going to Andra Day and Daniel Kaluuya as "volunteers" in the segment, but it was when he moved over to talk to Glenn Close that the magic really began and solidified what turned out to be the best moment of the night, You can check out the clip from the Academy Awards broadcast below!

While tonight's strange broadcast surely inspired plenty of people to put some odd things on their Oscar Bingo cards, there is not a chance in hell that a single person in the world could have predicted a moment when Glenn Close would reach deep into her memory palace and come up with deep details about a go-go funk song that was not in fact nominated for an Academy Award. Naturally it was a bit that hit the internet like a lightning strike, inspiring all kinds of great reactions on social media.

Responding to the fantastic surprise Oscar moment, Spontaneous director Brian Duffield commented that the way in which Glenn Close managed to salvage the entire bit was basically a microcosm of her time in Hollywood and her filmography. He wrote,

Matthew A. Cherry, who is an Oscar-winner in his own right thanks to the brilliant animated short film Hair Love, also commented on the moment, saying that while she may have lost the prize for Best Supporting Actress, Glenn Close deserves a special prize for her impressive display of knowledge:

Entertainment Weekly reporter Joey Nolfi took Matthew A. Cherry's comment one step further. Rather than just flatly suggesting that Glenn Close should get an Academy Award for the moment, he went a step further and advocated it for being considered as a nominee (and predestined winner) for next year's Best Live-Action Short category.

The Hollywood Reporter editor Rebecca Keegan also added her two cents to the mix with a direct comparison between perennial also-ran Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. The latter may have three Oscar statues to show for her 21 nominations going back to 1979, but the former has the capacity to amaze us with her deep School Daze knowledge and willingness to get up and dance on a live-broadcast:

Finally we have comedian Billy Eichner, who kept his response simple, using three words and three emojis, but I think you'll agree that his point is made:

Tonight's Academy Awards could definitely be called a mixed bag – especially because of that car crash of an ending that left everybody confused – but Glenn Close made the whole broadcast worth it. All that being said, we're also definitely keeping our fingers crossed that it doesn't go down in history as her greatest Oscars moment, as hopefully within the next few years her name will be called to the stage and the industry will be able to properly celebrate her remarkable career.

As I'm writing this, the 2021 Academy Awards has done a lot to spread the love around, giving trophies to a wide variety of different movies – but one individual who didn't feel said love is Glenn Close. This evening she was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category, but unfortunately she lost out to Minari's Yuh-jung Youn. Under normal circumstances this wouldn't be anything to write an article about, as there were three other performers up for the prize as well, but what makes tonight significant is that Close has now tied the record for the most Oscar nominations ever without winning a prize.

In the last 38 years, Glenn Close has been nominated for an Academy Award a stunning eight times, but every time the envelope has been opened on stage the paper inside has revealed a different name. It ties her in movie history with Peter O'Toole, who passed away before ever winning an Oscar (though he was the recipient of an Honorary Award in 2003).

Of the times that Glenn Close has been up for Hollywood's highest honor, there is an even split between opportunities to win Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Her turn in Ron Howard's Hillbilly Elegy is the fourth time that she has been nominated in the latter category, with the other titles on the list being George Roy Hill's The World According To Garp (which was the first time she was up for an Oscar), Lawrence Kasdan's The Big Chill, and Barry Levinson's The Natural. And while she delivered acclaimed lead work in Adrian Lyne's Fatal Attraction, Stephen Frears' Dangerous Liaisons, Rodrigo Garcia's Albert Nobbs, and Bjorn Runge's The Wife, she has always walked away from the Academy Awards empty handed.

To paraphrase Yuh-jung Youn's acceptance speech tonight, some of it is definitely bad luck, as Glenn Close is undoubtedly one of the best actors of her generation, but she just so happens to be constantly competing with other remarkable performances. This year is no exception, as while she delivers a great, transformative turn in Hillbilly Elegy, she faced off against a stacked lineup in this year's Best Supporting Actress category.

To look on the bright side, Glenn Close's career is extremely active, and she may have many more opportunities in the coming years to finally win the esteemed trophy. Oscar fans will remember that cinematographer Roger Deakins was nominated 13 times without a win, but that terrible streak was broken in 2018 when he won for Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049, and since then he won a second Oscar for Sam Mendes' 1917.

Glenn Close has already completed production on her next film, which is a science-fiction drama from director Benjamin Cleary called Swan Song, and it puts her in an ensemble cast along with Awkwafina, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Adam Beach. We'll just have to wait and see if it's Academy Award-caliber work that breaks Close's bad streak.

It’s a given that when a movie like Cruella reimagines the world of something as iconic as Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, some homage to the original legacy will be present. But in Emma Stone’s turn playing Cruella de Vil, there’s one inspiration in particular that’s being invoked in director Craig Gillespie’s live-action origin story. It’s all thanks to the marvelous outfits that actor Glenn Close wore in her outing as the villainess.

Costume designer Jenny Bevan was one of the members of Cruella’s creative team who spoke with EW about the big tip of the hat to Glenn Close’s haute couture variation in 1996’s 101 Dalmatians. Though in this case, it’s a bit more like a twirl of the dress, as a big moment in the Cruella trailer shows Emma Stone’s version of the character really embracing those Dalmatian spots in her design. You can see the look in question below, pictured during what’s been described as a true “fashion bomb” moment:

Just looking at this Cruella outfit is all that you need to link Emma Stone and Glenn Close’s takes on the character. The defining black and white color scheme is present with both characters, and with Stone’s fetching dress, the Dalmatian spots are built right in. This is pure obsession on display, especially when compared to some of the outfits Glenn Close sported in 101 Dalmatians. You can compare for yourself thanks to the screencap below of one such design:

Thinking a little deeper into the connections between the two movies, there seems to be another clue as to how Cruella will invoke the spirit of de Vil’s past. While there were obviously no real dogs were harmed in the production, the in-universe origins of that dress are something we’re particularly worried about. As seen in the trailer released for the film, Emma Stone’s Cruella makes a big entrance at a party held by her boss/antagonist, Emma Thompson’s Baroness von Hellman. And sure enough, three Dalmatians snarl at Cruella as she makes the scene.

As Cruella did land a PG-13 rating “for some violence and thematic elements,” putting two and two together would suggest that those dogs, and their fur, are what start Ms. DeVil’s obsession with Dalmatian-skinned apparel. Taking that one step further, that fashion bomb may be the ultimate statement of victory, as Baroness von Hellman’s prized pooches may be the fabric that makes up that very outfit. Feel free to take a look at the trailer again yourself to let that horrific thought sink in.

Paying tribute to Glenn Close’s 101 Dalmatians performance and wardrobe is a fantastic move when it comes to visually connecting Cruella to its Disney origins. But if the thematic and practical implications above are to be believed, then this latest live-action reimagining could be the darkest entry in the Disney canon yet. It’s a disturbingly fun possibility that we’ll all get to discover soon enough, as Cruella hits theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on May 28.

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the release of the animated Disney classic, 101 Dalmatians. It's a great film, but it's perhaps possible that Disney's live-action version from mid-'90s (one of the first in what would become a series of remakes) is even better. Although, if it is a better film, that's entirely due to the performance of Glenn Close as the villain Cruella de Vil. Close is pitch perfect in the role of the, and it turns out she can recreate the character anytime she'd like because she owns all of the original costumes she wore in the movie. Spoiler alert: those outfits weren't cheap.

Variety recently hosted a conversation between Glenn Close and actor Pete Davidson and the King of Staten Island star confessed that Close's 101 Dalmatians and the live-action sequel were two of his favorite movies growing up (I feel old). Close then revealed to Davidson that she still owns Cruella's entire wardrobe. It was part of her contract to play the part. Although the studio apparently tried to work around the deal, Close would not allow it. The actress says,

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in that conversation. Somebody at Disney is asking Glenn Close if they could just make her a new, slightly less expensive version of the outfits, but she's not having it. The contract says she gets the wardrobe, so she gets the wardrobe. And Disney just has to let it all go.

What's unclear is exactly what happened to the wardrobe. Glenn Close actually transformed herself into Cruella de Vil last October for Bette Midler's annual New York Restoration Project Halloween fundraiser, but she specifically listed where the elements of her costume came from, and none of it was actually part of her 101 Dalmatians wardrobe. Although the coat was part of her wardrobe from The Wife, so it seems Glenn Close is in the habit of making wardrobe one of her contract requirements. It's one way to keep your closet fresh.

One can only hope that Emma Stone had a similar clause in her contract. The actress will be the next live-action Cruella de Vil, in an origin story movie set to hit theaters later this year. We haven't seen what the new Cruella will look like beyond a couple of publicity shots, one assumes that the villain either has always had a top notch wardrobe or the movie is all about how she fell in love with fur coats.

Movie audiences seeking an escape from their own dysfunctional families this Thanksgiving had the option to turn to Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy, an adaptation of the memoirs of J.D. Vance, a Kentucky boy who fought against personal and cultural obstacles in order to achieve success as an attorney. Howard’s new film, in select theaters and available on Netflix, follows J.D. at different stages of his journey, though he’s always bookended by the mother (Amy Adams) who held him back, thanks to her own addictions.

While interviewing the cast of Hillbilly Elegy, I explained to them my guttural reaction to Amy Adams’ character, Beverly, a heroin addict and a very young mother who feels like she has traded in her own life in order to “provide” for her children. When I asked if it was wrong to root against Bev in the movie, the cast gave me their own thoughts on the push and pull of the movie’s central relationship. Press play on the above video to see what they had to say.

There comes a time, in every abusive relationship, where the person on the receiving end has to stand up for themselves and say, “Enough is enough.” As Ron Howard notes, there’s a pivotal scene in Hillbilly Elegy where the older J.D. (played by Gabriel Basso) has to make a tough decision between his future, and the past that’s anchoring him in Kentucky. Howard notes that every audience member is going to bring their own baggage to the film, but in terms of the J.D. versus Beverly debate, he had this to say:

Howard says that it really was his challenge, while making the movie, to reflect how complicated it was for J.D. Vance to pick between his mother (played by Amy Adams) and his potential future. Adams isn’t playing a clear-cut villain. But the actress tells me she understands exactly why I, as the audience, was rooting against her. Adams said:

Because, as you watch, you learn that Bev, like J.D., has to choose to be better. Does she? Find out in Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy, which you can see now in select theaters, or on Netflix if you have a subscription.

This week, Netflix unveils Hillbilly Elegy, the latest movie in a series of Oscar hopefuls made available on the streaming service this year. After its limited theatrical run, Ron Howard's dramatic adaptation of J.D. Vance's best-selling 2016 memoir will finally become available worldwide, letting movie-lovers see the author's controversial life story for themselves. Starring Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso, Haley Bennett, Freida Pinto, and Bo Hopkins, it's not hard to wonder why Netflix had lofty hopes for this potential awards contender. While the early reviews aren't flattering, to say the least, there's still a decent chance that its A-list ensemble may receive awards consideration — particularly as we settle into the final month of a highly irregular and unconventional 2020.

If you recognize these familiar faces, you've probably seen them in a variety of well-known movies and shows. This is where you might recognize Hillbilly Elegy's cast.

Amy Adams (Bev Vance)

In the role of Bev Vance, J.D.'s mother and Mamaw's daughter, Amy Adams plays a central character in Ron Howard's Hillbilly Elegy. A six-time Oscar-nominated actress for her performances in Junebug, Doubt, The Fighter, The Master, American Hustle, and, most recently, Vice, Adams may receive her seventh Oscar nomination for this Netflix drama. Additionally, the actress won two Golden Globes for Big Eyes and the aforementioned American Hustle. Adams also received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her leading role in HBO's miniseries, Sharp Objects.

Outside of these award-winning or nominated parts, Amy Adams is also well-known for her work in Arrival, Enchanted, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Muppets, Her, Catch Me If You Can, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Julie & Julia, Nocturnal Animals, Justice League, Trouble with the Curve, Leap Year, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Sunshine Cleaning, Charlie Wilson's War, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, as well as her brief recurring role in NBC's The Office.

Glenn Close (Mamaw Vance)

As Mamaw Vance, the grandmother of J.D., Glenn Close gets a standout role in Hillbilly Elegy. One of the most acclaimed actresses in Hollywood, having won three Emmy awards, three Tonys, and three Golden Globe Awards, she's also the recipient of seven Academy Award nominations for The World According to Garp, The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, The Natural, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs, and, most recently, The Wife. There's also reason to believe that Close might be nominated for Hillbilly Elegy, but it's still too early to know.

In addition to the movies listed above, Glenn Close is known for Hook (see if you can spot her!), Hamlet, Mars Attacks!, Air Force One, In & Out, The Stepford Wives (2004), Guardians of the Galaxy, The Girl With All The Gifts, and The Paper, which Ron Howard also directed. She's also recognized for playing Cruella de Vil in 1996's 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians. Meanwhile, on television, Close is most well-known for her leading role in FX's Damages, for which she won two of her Emmys. She also played a recurring role in The Shield.

Gabriel Basso (J.D. Vance)

Playing Hillbilly Elegy's author and central protagonist, J.D. Vance, Gabriel Basso fills in the lead role in Netflix's Oscar-hopeful adaptation. For many movie lovers, Basso is best known for his prominent role in JJ. Abrams' Super 8. He also starred in The Kings of Summer, Ithaca, Barely Lethal, Anatomy of a Tide, Meet Bill, Alabama Upside Down, and The Hive. His last two film credits were 2016's The Whole Truth and American Wrestler: The Wizard, prior to his extended years-long break from film and television.

Speaking of TV, Gabriel Basso also had a starring role in Showtime's The Big C. Additionally, the former child actor appeared in episodes of The Middle, iCarly, Perception, The Red Road, R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour, and Eastwick. And his voice can be heard in NBC's Halloween special, Scared Shrekless.

Haley Bennett (Lindsay Vance)

In the role of Lindsay Vance, J.D.'s sister and Bev's daughter, Haley Bennett plays a prominent part in Ron Howard's Hillbilly Elegy. Making her film debut in 2007's Music and Lyrics, Bennett is most well-known for her performances in 2016's The Magnificent Seven, Hardcore Henry, Kaboom, The Equalizer, College, The Girl on the Train, Thank You For Your Service, The Hole, Kristy, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Rules Don't Apply, Marley & Me, and The Red Sea Diving Resort. Most recently, Bennet starred in this year's acclaimed thriller, Swallow, where she also served as an executive producer. Additionally, the actress was recently seen in another rural-based Netflix period drama, September's The Devil All The Time.

Currently, Haley Bennett is filming a part in the upcoming drama-musical Cyrano, the latest movie from Joe Wright, her partner.

Freida Pinto (Usha)

As Usha, the future wife of J.D. Vance, Freida Pinto has a key romantic role in Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy. The actress made quite a splash with her film debut in 2008's Best Picture-winning, Slumdog Millionaire. In the years to follow, Pinto played the title characters in Michael Winterbottom's Trishna and Julian Schnabel's Miral, respectively, and she had prominent roles in Immortals, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, Knight of Cups, Love Sonia, Desert Dancer, and Blunt Force Trauma. Additionally, Pinto narrated Girl Rising and Unity. In addition to her film performances, Pinto had a recurring role in Hulu's The Path and she played a lead character in Showtime's mini-series, Guerrilla. She also currently lends her voice to Mira, Royal Detective. Furthermore, before she became an actress, Pinto hosted Zee International Asia Pacific's talk show series, Full Circle.

Most recently, Pinto appeared in two other Netflix titles, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle and Love, Wedding, Repeat. She also starred in the romantic sci-fi drama, Only, earlier this year.

Bo Hopkins (Papaw Vance)

Playing the part of Papaw Vance, J.D.'s grandfather, Bo Hopkins has a key supporting role in Hillbilly Elegy. A hard-working character actor with over 100 credits to his name, Hopkins' most notable credits include American Graffiti, More American Graffiti, Midnight Express, The Wild Bunch, U-Turn, The Getaway, The Bridge At Remagen, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, The Killer Elite, A Small Town in Texas, The Bridge of Remagen, Shade (which he also produced), Open Window, The Newton Boys, and Posse (1975). Hillbilly Elegy is his first film since 2016's The Boys at the Bar.

In addition to his various movie credits, Bo Hopkins is known for his TV work in Dynasty, The Rockford Files, Gunsmoke, The A-Team, Charlie's Angels, Fantasy Island, Doc Elliot, The Mod Squad, Hawaii Five-O, Bonanza, and Murder, She Wrote, among several others. He can also be heard in the video game, Nuclear Strike.

Owen Asztalos (Young J.D. Vance)

As a younger version of J.D. Vance, our central protagonist, Owen Asztalos gives us a child-like view of J.D.'s Appalachian upbringing in Hillbilly Elegy. Starting his career at age three, Asztalos is a child actor who has appeared in a variety of movies, shows, and commercials — though, outside of this role, Asztalos was most notably seen in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul and Jim Jarmusch's Paterson. Additionally, his TV credits include Shades of Blue, Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter, Hannah Royce's Questionable Choices, Jon Glaser Loves Gear, and Netflix's Jessica Jones and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Hillbilly Elegy is his most high-profile performance yet.

Sunny Mabrey (Bonnie)

In the role of Bonnie, J.D.'s cousin, Sunny Mabrey plays a supporting part in Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy. As an actress, Mabrey is also known for her work in Snakes on a Plane, xXx: State of the Union, Teacher of the Year, Species III, and The New Guy. Her television credits also include episodes of CSI: Miami, House, Angel, Without a Trace, Desperate Housewives, Monk, Rules of Engagement, Memphis Beat, In Plain Sight, The Closer, Vegas, The Client List, Once Upon A Time, In the Rough, The Librarians, and MacGyver, the latter of which she appeared in earlier this year. Additionally, Mabrey recently starred in Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays.

Next, Sunny Mabrey wrote, produced, and played the title role in the upcoming horror-comedy short film, Patricia Sterling. It's completed and awaiting release. Additionally, as a model in addition to being an actress, Mabrey is known for her music video work. Notably, she appeared in Limp Bizkit's "Nookie."

Jason Davis (Dr. Newton)

In the role of Dr. Newton, Jason Davis is also a supporting player in Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy. His other film credits include The Accountant, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Seeking Justice, Doctor Sleep, Boy Erased, Forever My Girl, I, Tonya, Concussion, Mississippi Grind, Goosebumps, Get On Up, Prisoners, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, A Little Bit of Heaven, Step Brothers, Runaway Jury, Identity Thief, and Summer Catch. He can also be seen in episodes of One Tree Hill, Dawson's Creek, Prison Break, Army Wives, Revenge, Revolution, Homeland, Sleep Hollow, Under the Dome, Banshee, Drop Dead Diva, Halt and Catch Fire, Nashville, Secrets and Lies, Being Mary Jane, Outcast, Queen Sugar, Mindhunter, Lore, The Walking Dead, The Resident, The Gifted, Mr. Mercedes, Swamp Thing, and Reprisal.

Earlier this year, Jason Davis also starred in Irresistible and The Banker, as well as episodes of Greenleaf, Robbie, and Paradise Lost.

Keong Sim (Ken)

Playing the part of Ken, Keong Sim plays a supporting role in Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy. He's best known for his television work, notably for TNT's Monday Mornings and Netflix's Dead to Me. He can also be seen in Better Call Saul, The Good Doctor, Law & Order True Crime, Vice Principals, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Glee, Mike & Molly, Sullivan & Son, Grey's Anatomy, Rescue Me, Hope & Faith, and Law & Order. His other film credits include The Last Airbender, Olympus Has Fallen, and The Sun is Also a Star.

Hillbilly Elegy is now playing in theaters. It streams on Netflix starting November 24th.

It requires serious cynicism to believe that any artist would make a piece of work solely for the sake of trying to win some shiny hardware, but the term “awards bait” does still have merit when applied to the feeling a particular kind of film gives off. Rather than being about the intention that went into creation, some movies seem to simply lack a particular raison d'etre in their existences beyond being material that classically catches the attention of those who vote in various guilds, academies, and organizations that give out annual trophies. They typically have something to showcase – like an impressive performance, or elaborate production design, or hyper-detailed costuming – but otherwise possess an emptiness in their storytelling.

Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy is such a film. It’s rich material from an acting perspective, as stars Amy Adams and Glenn Close play wild and flawed women of Appalachia trying to do right by their family, and they both sink their teeth into the meaty roles. That, unfortunately, is where the real substance ends, however. Based on a memoir, it has no real story to tell, but hopes to distract you from that fact with its non-linear construction and heightened circumstance. Save for its best performances, it’s merely another rote story about basic family drama and accepting one’s own roots, and is unable to possess any real emotional impact.

Hoping back and forth between a central narrative set in 2011 and events of the 1990s, the movie moves through the life of J.D. Vance (Gabriel Basso and Owen Asztalos) – a young man from a broken home who is studying law as a graduate student at Yale University. While trying to get a summer position that can help him afford tuition and be with his girlfriend (Freida Pinto), he gets a call from his sister (Haley Bennett) and is hit with the scary news that his mother, Bev (Amy Adams), has overdosed on heroin and is in the hospital. While he is waiting to hear about a final interview for a big opportunity, he opts to get in his car and make his way back to his family’s home in Ohio.

Bev gets a quick discharge from the hospital, having let her health insurance policy lapse, and J.D. finds himself with the responsibility of trying to find a safe place for her to recover and restart rehabilitation. Doing so inspires various memories of his teenage years, filled with the drama of living in poverty, his mother’s addictions and mental issues, and his relationship with his hard-nosed grandmother known familiarly as Mamaw (Glenn Close).

There is nothing unique or particularly compelling in Hillbilly Elegy’s story.

Hillbilly Elegy is based on J.D. Vance’s autobiographical memoir of the same name, and its scattershot storytelling is very much reflective of the source material in that it’s built as a pile of memories with no real purpose or defined structure. Vance makes for an inert protagonist, as we never actually see any of his accomplishments or are provided any context for how far he has come from his humble beginnings (the film tells us about but otherwise skips over his time in the military, and the only academic achievement we see is when he gets the highest grade in the class on a high school algebra test). He’s an entirely passive character, with all of the action involving him, but not actually functioning through him, and it gives the movie no room to grow.

Without any arcs to speak of, the film is left to congeal as an anthology set within the life of a random individual from Ohio, and while that does result in a few intense and dramatic moments being adapted, it’s not much of a cinematic experience stretched over 116 minutes. Its strength is found in personalities, and while that lends to some great performances, they can’t provide the bedrock that Hillbilly Elegy needs to succeed as an actual movie.

Amy Adams and Glenn Close both deliver impressive performances.

Far and away the best thing about the Ron Howard film is the turn from Amy Adams, which is in itself an interesting thing because it really is a wholly unpleasant performance. Bev clearly loves her family and wants to provide them the best life she can, but she is also a woman who exhibits symptoms of some mental health conditions and struggles in her battle with addiction – all of which is material that Adams uses to deliver some blistering moments. It’s a character without the same kind of awesome fortitude that we usually see from her work, and that makes it all the more powerful, not to mention that the character is shockingly horrible in moments. It’s an atypical turn from Adams in many respects, but an impressive one that further proves her versatility.

With Adams vying for Best Actress, that leaves Glenn Close with the fight for Best Supporting Actress, and it’s a field in which she’ll compete well with her Hillbilly Elegy turn. It’s most certainly a trope role – the family matriarch who gets shit done regardless of personal cost – but Close has a lot of fun with it. There is a particular unpleasantness that comes with her exhibited bigotry, which serves as a roadblock from really being able to appreciate the character, but it is a real transformative performance from the actor, complete with some impressive hair and make-up work that allows her to fully disappear physically.

It’s never a bad thing for a film to feature a pair of exceptional performances, but it does become a bad thing when those exceptional performances are all a film really has to offer. Thanks to Amy Adams and Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy is a title that may pop up a lot in the coming months, read on cards pulled out of envelopes by on-stage celebrities, but it’s a shame that those who watch the movie based on that hype will be left disappointed.

While the influx in Disney live-action remakes can be largely traced to the massive success of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, there were actually a few even before that one made $1 billion at the global box office. In 1996 Glenn Close starred as Cruella de Vil in a live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians. The movie, and more specifically her performance, was so good that the movie even got itself a sequel. Now, the grande dame of the Disney live-action remake is back, and she looks as evil as ever.

Every Halloween Bette Midler hosts a fundraiser for the New York Restoration Project, called Hocus Halloween, and while this year's event, like most everything else, will be virtual, it's not stopping the guests from dressing up. While the event doesn't happen until the end of October, Glenn Close used Instagram to give us a sneak peek at her costume. In much the same way that Bette Midler has previously dressed up as her Hocus Pocus character, Glenn Close will be bringing back Cruella de Vil. Check her out.

It's a pretty great look, and what makes it work better than anything is that this isn't Glenn Close dusting off her costume from the 101 Dalmatians set that she happened to take home. This is essentially a "homemade" costume that any of us could put together. Although, one piece of clothing actually is a piece of movie wardrobe, just from a different movie. The actress says her makeup didn't turn out great here, but she's got some time to perfect that before the actual event.

It's always fun to see a costume put together in simple ways using otherwise normal pieces of clothing and accessories. This year, that sort of thinking will probably be more useful than ever. While all of us are probably planning for a quieter Halloween than usual, if you still want to dress up for the occasion, you too can be Cruella de Vil, potentially without having to spend a lot of money.

The 101 Dalmatians remake was a pretty good movie and while the sequel maybe wasn't quite up to the same standards, at a certain point a movie that lets Glenn Close ham it up for a couple hours is really not a bad thing. She was excellent in the role and probably still one of the best casting choices to date in a Disney live-action remake.

Glenn Close posted some additional images of herself as Cruella De Vil, including a brief video, check them out below.

The fact that we won't see Cruella De Vil together with the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus in person is tragic. It's truly unfortunate what this year has stolen from us. Maybe next year Emma Stone can join them.

Sweet little Pip Close was the true star of last night's Independent Spirit Awards (besides Aubrey Plaza), and hopefully fans see him at every event Glenn Close attends -- including the Oscars. The Wife star won the 34th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards' trophy for Best Female Lead. Close said she brought her dog Pippin as her "date" to the awards show, and he came on stage to steal his mama's spotlight during her speech:

All together now: Awwwww. This is the kind of thing that can happen (and should happen all the time) at the low-key Independent Spirit Awards, but will Glenn Close bring Pip to the Oscars tonight? That's still a question mark as of this writing.

Glenn Close is the frontrunner to win Best Actress, since she's won most of the major awards during the 2018-2019 awards season. (Sorry, Lady Gaga fans.) Believe it or not, this would/will be her first Oscar win, after seven nominations. But the true winner of the weekend is already Sir Pippin of Beanfield, as he's known on his own Instagram account. Yes, of course little Pip has his own account, including this video narrated by Glenn Close -- and featuring her The Wife co-star Annie Starke -- on her way to the Spirit Awards:

In case you're wondering, yes, they did let Pip on the red (actually blue) carpet:

Just a king and a queen, slaying the blue carpet. (Pip looks like he's not sure why Mom wore that crinkly suit, but I might just be projecting.)

If you check out Pip's Instagram account, you see he's no stranger to public appearances. He went with Glenn Close on The View, and seems to charm everyone everywhere he goes. Celebrities do love to show off their pets, although not everyone would probably get away with bringing their dog on stage. You have to be as respected as Glenn Close. (Or maybe as feared as John Wick. Who'd tell him not to bring his dog on stage?)

The 91st Academy Awards airs tonight (Sunday, February 24) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. See if Glenn Close wins Best Actress, and -- if she does -- if Pip is there with her again. And check out the full list of nominees in all the major categories. Then head back to CinemaBlend later tonight to get the full rundown of winners and other noteworthy Oscars 2019 events. Then we'll do this all again next year, as some of the films coming out in 2019 head back to the stage to accept more awards!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a well oiled machine over the past decade of filmmaking, but there is a new drama that is currently rocking the behemoth franchise. After offensive tweets from a decade ago resurfaced, Guardians of the Galaxy director was fired by Disney, leaving the fan favorite franchise is jeopardy. This decision has inspired countless conversations about the power of words, social media, and public outrage. Actress Glenn Close starred as Nova Prime in the first Guardians movie, and has contributed to the dialogue surrounding Gunn's depature. Close recently spoken out again, and how complicated the entire situation is.

Glenn Close, like many Marvel fans, can't see a Guardians of the Galaxy movie without James Gunn's vision and perspective. Furthermore, the acclaimed actress seems concerned about the precedent set by firing Gunn based on tweets from so many years ago. There's a lot to unpack with this conversation, and Close seems to be looking inward as well.

Glenn Close's comments to Empire Magazine (via CBM), makes a fair point regarding the imperfect nature of people. James Gunn's comments caused his firing because they were in the vaults of Twitter, while plenty of celebs have no doubt said offensive things IRL. Close doesn't claim her past was perfectly PC, as she went on to say in the same interview.

While Glenn Close doesn't seem to be excusing James Gunn's offensive jokes, she seems to ultimately feel conflicted about his Guardians of the Galaxy departure. Aside from the moral issue, the franchise is perhaps Marvel's most director-driven property, and it's unclear if the trilogy will ever be completed.

The Guardians of the Galaxy will return to the MCU in Avengers 4 in May 3rd, 2018-- although it's unclear how their story will wrap up-- given that Guardians 3 is currently on hold. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Glenn Close was one of many Guardians of the Galaxy cast members who spoke out following Marvel's firing of James Gunn. At the time, she didn't really voice an opinion about whether or not Gunn should have been fired or whether she thought he should be allowed to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Instead, she focused on the ugly side of social media and the way many people use it to say things they would never say in person. Recently, the actress who played Nova Prime reiterated those comments, but also admits that the situation saddened her and that she felt bad for her former director. According to Close...

It's certainly true that whether or not people use social media for the anonymity it can provide, it certainly creates a distance between users that can make people comfortable saying things that they might be so comfortable with if they sitting across a table from somebody. Clearly, Glenn Close feels that if you wouldn't say something to somebody in person, you shouldn't say it online.

Having said that, she does admit to The Hollywood Reporter that the situation with James Gunn made her feel sad. While you can read her comments of Gunn as being quite critical of the things he said, they certainly count as comments he likely would not make in front of people, that doesn't mean she doesn't have sympathy for the situation or that she doesn't feel bad for the punishment he has received. Her overall opinion of the director still seems to be a positive one, as she complimented his work and the atmosphere he created on set when they worked together previously.

While the fate of James Gunn and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, has been one of the most talked about and debated for the last month, it now at least seems like some final decisions have been made. There was reportedly a recent meeting between Gunn and Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, about the possibility of bringing Gunn back, but it was ultimately decided not to do so. Now, it appears the only question is whether Gunn's script for the movie will survive, or if the movie will actually happen at all.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on a massively successful run throughout all of Phase Three, the shared universe recently got its own taste of scandal. During the events of San Diego Comic-Con, insensitive and controversial tweets by Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn resurfaced. In response to these incendiary posts, Disney and Marvel Studios promptly parted ways with Gunn, leaving the future of the planned Guardians threequel a complete mystery. Plenty of Marvel figures have shared their thoughts on Gunn's departure, and now the great Glenn Close has weighed in. Close played Nova Prime in the first Guardians movie, and was recently asked what she thought about Disney's decision, where she spoke about the toxic nature of social media.

Rather than taking one side or another, Glenn Close has wisely positioned herself as Switzerland in the great Gunn debate. Instead of expressly addressing the controversy that cost James Gunn his job, Glenn Close gave a statement that applies to both movie professionals and trolls on the internet: if you wouldn't say it IRL, you probably shouldn't use social media as a shield for your comments.

Glenn Close's comments to TMZ show help illustrate what an ugly place the internet can be, especially when it comes to massive franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy or Star Wars. While fan passion is what helps make these properties so much money, the giant audience includes plenty of angry and toxic fans. Folks feel free to post whatever they want on the internet, and this includes a pre-Marvel James Gunn.

Not one to overtly talk smack about anyone else, Glenn Close also did make an explicit reference to James Gunn. Sidestepping his recent controversy, Close mentioned how positive her time on the Guardians of the Galaxy set was, saying:

As always, Glenn Close is a class act. Neither defending or attacking James Gunn, the Emmy and Tony winning actresses instead addressed the larger issue surrounding the somewhat toxic internet, as well as Gunn as a director. Way to go, Nova Prime.

The Nova Corps were a major factor of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, with Glenn Close starring alongside John C. Reilly as the group's ranking members. Many were hoping that Close would pop back up in Guardians 2 or Infinity War, neither of which came to fruition. Did she survive Thanos' unseen attack on Xandar? Fans assumed the answers would come with Guardians 3, although now it's unclear if and when that blockbuster will be arriving in theaters.

The next installment in the MCU is Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the pilot episode of Sea Oak. Feel free to head over to one of our other lovely articles if you haven't watched it yet!

Amazon's pilot season is, once again, upon us, and Glenn Close's potential new show, Sea Oak is a wild ride that definitely deserves a look. And, if you've ever wanted to watch the six time Academy Award nominee in a fit of undead rage, you're in luck. Of course, things don't start out quite that exciting for Close's character, Aunt Bernie. So, let's dig into what drove this sweet woman to, well, come back to (sorta) life.

In Sea Oak, which is named after the "dangerous crap hole" of an apartment complex that Aunt Bernie lives in with her nephew Cole (Jack Quaid), nieces Min (Jane Levy) and Jade (Rae Gray), and the infant of each niece, Close plays a lonely older woman for whom it's pretty clear that life didn't turn out that well. The episode starts with Bernie at confession because, as she tells the priest, she has "bad thoughts" about her shiftless young nieces who each have a child without being in committed relationships and seemingly refuse to work or contribute to the household in any real way. She tells the priest she just "wants things to be nice" and when he asks if they are, she says yes, even though Bernie is clearly lying about that.

And, because this isn't sad enough already, as Bernie leave church she somehow loses her footing and falls down the steps. She struggles to get up as her no good nieces sit in the car unaware of her predicament because they're arguing over answers to GED test questions. When Cole is finally notified of Bernie's fall while at his sketchy job as a peep show Egyptian pharaoh working for Mr. Frendt (James Van Der Beek), he picks her up to take her into work so she can explain her injury and take a sick day. Unfortunately, while waiting outside her boss' office at the drab-as-all-hell 99 cent store where she works, Bernie overhears him tell another employee that they'll be getting her cashier job while Bernie will be knocked down to greeter because she's "too nervous."

Bernie is clearly upset by the news, but she pushes down the feelings (like she's probably done pretty much every time she's been hurt in her life) and has Cole take her home. There's not much respite there, either, and while the family is trying to watch TV and have dinner shots ring out in their apartment complex, and Cole has to cover Bernie since she won't leave her favorite chair. The next day, Cole heads back to work, while Min and Jade take the kids to the mall, so Bernie can enjoy her off day. When they get back, however, the apartment has been ransacked and poor Bernie has died of a heart attack from the stress of a home invasion.

All of that is to say, Bernie's life was pretty shitty and it ended shitty, too. Except, of course, that this isn't where Sea Oak ends. This, my friends, is when the show kicks things into high gear, and the series that was about a nice, put-upon, lonely old woman who thought of her lazy nieces and relatively nice nephew as her own children turns into an insane story about a dead woman who decides that now's as good a time as any to have the life she always wanted.

You see, the night of Bernie's funeral, which was only attended by eight people (including the priest), Cole gets a call that there's a problem with her burial plot. When the family heads over there, they realize that the problem is that Bernie's grave and casket have been busted apart and she's gone (with the exception of one red shoe). And, because this show is batshit in the best way, when Cole gets home from work the next day he finds their door smashed in. Inside, he finds Jade and Min sitting stiffly on the couch and eyeballing him with terror. The reason, of course, is that undead Bernie is back and sitting in her favorite chair. And she's really, really angry.

It would seem that Bernie's rebirth is fueled by all the hurt and anger she's stuffed down over the years, and the woman is now in no mood to be trifled with. Bernie makes it clear to her family that she is now calling the shots because she never got to do anything in life and she's not going to allow her death to be the same. She tells Cole that the next time a woman offers him extra money to get naked during his peep-show duties he better take it, and tells her nieces they will start cooking because Bernie needs to look her best. Their undead aunt would like to finally get laid, you see, since the poor woman died a virgin. As Bernie says, in life she had "no babies and no lovers. Nothing went in and nothing came out."

This version of Aunt Bernie is, understandably, a huge and many-tiered shock for Cole, Min and Jade, but Bernie warns them not to tell anyone that she's back, saying that she'll kill them if they say a word and kill anyone they tell because she's "very freakin' strong now!" as she magically throws a lamp across the room with her mind. Bernie's determined to fix everything, including the three "stupid fuckers" who live with her, and by the end of the episode it's clear that some big changes are a-comin'.

Sea Oak promises to be a mighty wild ride as Bernie finally whips her family into shape and tries to get some of the happiness that alluded her in life, and I'm sure it won't be easy. Whatever Cole, Jude and Min do, at least they know now that calling Bernie a zombie will get them knocked upside the head with the nearest object before they have time to duck.

You can watch Sea Oak now on Amazon, and vote for it to become a full series right here.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 brought a lot of familiar faces, but not everyone from the first movie was able to participate in a second round of Marvel Cinematic Universe cosmic craziness. One of the few who didn't show up in the sequel was Nova Prime, the leader of Xandar's Nova Corps. However, director James Gunn originally intended for Glenn Close to briefly appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but later decided not to use her footage. As Gunn recently told a fan when asked if Nova Prime had been cut from the movie:

James Gunn's response on Twitter concerning Nova Prime lines up with what he told CinemaBlend and other outlets during the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 set visit last year. At the time, Gunn still wasn't sure whether Glenn Close would actually appear in the final cut of the movie, but he was at least planning to put her back in front of the cameras, saying:

Nova Prime's absence in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is understandable given that the Nova Corps played no role in the story. Gamora and the other Guardians had intended to bring Nebula back to Xandar so that the Nova Corps could put her on trial, but they were attacked by the Sovereign soon after and didn't make it to their destination. Nebula and Gamora patched up their relationship by the end of the sequel, but that doesn't change the fact that there's still a bounty on Nebula's head, so she'll need to be careful not to be caught by someone else and dragged back to the Nova Corps. As for how Nova Prime might have cameoed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, I suspect we would have seen her back on Xandar reacting to one of Ego's seedlings expanding and consuming the planet.

While we don't officially know yet if Nova Prime will ever be seen in the MCU again, don't count out the possibility that Glenn Close could cameo in Avengers: Infinity War next year. At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy, the Orb, a.k.a. the Power Stone, was locked in the Nova Corps' vault, but it won't stay that way for much longer. Eventually Thanos is going to arrive on Xandar and steal the Power Stone, taking him one step closer to collecting all six Infinity Stones. Maybe we'll see Nova Prime and her officers attempt to stop the Mad Titan, only to be quickly defeated.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. The Guardians themselves will return for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4 on May 4, 2018 and May 3, 2019, respectively, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to hit theaters sometime in 2020.