‘Americana’ Review: A First-Rate Crime Thriller Infused With Altman, Tarantino, & Coen Brothers, Boasting An Ensemble Cast At The Top Of Their Game

Christopher Vourlias Amazon Prime Video launched the latest chapter in its global expansion Thursday night in Nigeria with the flashy premiere of its first African Original, “Gangs of Lagos,” a gritty crime thriller from celebrated multi-hyphenate Jade Osiberu. At a packed house on Lagos’ ritzy Victoria Island, luminaries from the Nigerian film and fashion industries turned out to toast a movie that electrified the boisterous homegrown crowd ahead of its global release. “I’m overwhelmed,” said Osiberu after a rousing ovation. “It’s a dream come true.” “Gangs of Lagos,” which drops globally on Prime Video on Friday, is the first film to come out of the streamer’s three-year overall deal with Osiberu, the creator of domestic box-office sensations “Sugar Rush” and “Isoken” — one of a host of recent pacts with Nigerian creators from the U.S. tech giant as it tries to outflank Netflix in Africa’s biggest market.

Todd Gilchrist editor No redemptive stone is left unturned in “On a Wing and a Prayer,” Sean McNamara’s formulaic dramatization of the true events surrounding civilian Doug White’s 2009 emergency landing of a King Air 200 plane carrying his wife and children. Dennis Quaid leads a cast that includes Heather Graham, Jesse Metcalfe, Brett Rice and Rocky Myers through a “story of faith and survival” far less extraordinary than the filmmakers would have you believe, at least when working from a script by Brian Egeston that feels as mechanical as an aircraft instruction manual. Meanwhile, McNamara, best known for directing 2011 faith-based sleeper hit “Soul Surfer,” leans so heavily on the virtue of starting from the truth that he fails to recognize the abundance of elements that make his movie ring false.

Donald Glover is opening up about Gilga, his production company headquartered in Ojai, California. One of the projects that have people buzzing is a short film created by Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President of the U.S. Barack Obama and former First Lady of the U.S. Michelle Obama.

“Extraction 2,” the sequel to the hit 2020 Netflix actioner that ended with Hemsworth’s mercenary left for dead.Sam Hargrave returns to direct “Extraction 2,” which finds Rake tasked with another deadly mission: rescuing the battered family of a ruthless Georgian gangster from the prison where they are being held. Indeed, the sequel trades the sweaty Bangladesh landscape of the first film for snowy Georgia.The teaser offers up a bit on how Rake survived the end of “Extraction,” but the bulk of the footage is a long shot in which Rake fights his way through a barrage of baddies.When released in 2020, “Extraction” quickly became one of the most-watched Netflix original films ever, and the streamer quickly greenlit a sequel.Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO produces “Extraction 2” and Joe Russo wrote the script.

The girlfriend of missing Evan Reid has said the family have 'so many unanswered questions' in a gut-wrenching message to the 'love of her life' over a week after he disappeared.

The dance anthems pulsating around the old Wesleyan chapel were perhaps more at home in a long since lost Manchester venue. But Orbital's Hacienda infused rave set was no less captivating in the stunning surroundings of the Albert Hall.

The first trailer has arrived for “Master Gardener”, the latest from writer-director Paul Schrader.

Glen Powell and Syndey Sweeney are continuing to film their rom-com and, from the looks of these new photos, it seems like it’s going to be a lot of fun!

EXCLUSIVE: Sons of Anarchy alum Tommy Flanagan has signed on to star alongside Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Marton Csokas and more in the crime thriller Sleeping Dogs from Nickel City Pictures.

Peter Chenin’s North Road Company has struck its first international co-production deal – backing Euphoria creator Ron Leshem’s latest drama Bad Boy, which Leshem described as “the next Euphoria.”

Multistory Media Bolsters Entertainment TeamITV Studios label MultiStory Media has bolstered its entertainment team. Simone Haywood has been promoted to Creative Director for MultiStory London, while Jon Cahn has joined as Executive Producer and Zinia Scroggs has been appointed Series Editor. Haywood was previously Head of Factual Entertainment, steering shows such as Scared of the Dark for Channel 4, BBC Three’s Project Icon, Big Flower Fight for Netflix and Come Dine With Me for Channel 4. Reporting to Chief Creative Officer Ana de Moraes, she will work with Ceri Aston, Creative Director at MultiStory North. Cahn most recently worked on the Danny Dyer-hosted, celebrity show Scared of the Dark, with other credits including Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins and Married at First Sight. Scroggs is currently working on Project Icon with previous credits inlcuding BBC Three’s Glow Up. “Simone is fearless about breaking new ground and grabbing big ideas by the horns… We are excited to give her the opportunity to take the next step in her career, building MultiStory’s entertainment slate with Jon Cahn and Zinia Scroggs, both rising stars whose talents are incredible additions to our team,” said de Moraes.

Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track… So we’re going to do the hard work for you.

Joe Leydon Film Critic Winner of SXSW’s narrative grand jury award, “Raging Grace” deserves ample credit both for what it is and what it is not. But it’s difficult to be much more detailed in any appraisal of this cunning thriller without prematurely releasing cats from bags. On the other hand, it is safe to say that Paris Zarcilla, the British-born Filipino writer-director here making his feature debut, does an impressive job of infusing scary movie conventions with the potent urgency of a sharply observed social critique. Right from the start, Zarcilla generates a compelling rooting interest in his protagonist: Joy (Max Eigenmann), a single Filipina mom who’s trying to maintain a low profile while working at various housekeeping jobs — mostly for well-off folks who sound condescending even during the most innocuous conversational gambits — and saving to purchase a gray-market visa so she and Grace (Jaeden Paige Boadilla), her mischievous young daughter, can remain in London.

Ghost shirts, which are sacred to certain Indigenous communities, were thought to guard the wearer against bullets through spiritual power. This precious heirloom is at the center of Tony Tost’s directorial debut film at SXSW, Americana. This western dramedy has some tricks up its sleeve, thanks to the brilliant writing and the script’s comedic timing. It boasts a big cast of actors including Sydney Sweeney, Halsey, Paul Walter Hauser, Zahn McClarnon, Simon Rex, Eric Dane and Gavin Maddox Bergman.

EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in Canada on sci fi-thriller Levels, starring Cara Gee (The Expanse), Peter Mooney (Burden of Truth), Aaron Abrams (Hannibal), and David Hewlett (Nightmare Alley).

Halsey’s feature film debut Americana opposite Sydney Sweeney – check out the clip below.Directed by Tony Tost, the modern-day western follows waitress Penny Jo (Sweeney) and lonesome cowboy Lefty (Paul Walter Hauser) as they plan to steal a mythical Native American artifact from criminals.Their plan, however, is made complicated by Mandy (Halsey), the girlfriend of the lead criminal, who decides to take the artifact for her own personal reasons.As reported by Deadline, the clip is the first time Penny Jo and Lefty come into contact with Mandy, after they tail her to a remote gas station.Other cast members include Eric Dane, Zahn McClarnon, Gavin Maddox Bergman, Simon Rex, Toby Huss and Harriet Sansom Harris.The film was announced last year under the title National Anthem. It marks the second major on-screen collaboration between Halsey and Sweeney, after they were both cast in upcoming TV series The Player’s Table back in 2020.The pair also appeared together in the music video for Halsey’s 2019 track ‘Graveyard’.While Americana represents Halsey’s first major on-screen role, their previous credits include voice roles in Sing 2, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies and and a cameo appearance in 2018’s A Star Is Born.Americana had its world premiere on Friday (March 17) at SXSW.

Pete Davidson, Joe Pesci and Edie Falco, will premiere May 4, the streamer announced Wednesday. As part of the reveal, Peacock also shared first-look photos from the series. Davidson serves as writer and executive producer and stars in the fictionalized version of his life. Falco portrays his mom and Pesci will portray his grandfather. “Bupkis” will include an array of guest stars, including Charlie Day, Brad Garrett, Simon Rex, Ray Romano, Kenan Thompson and Chase Sui Wonders. Judah Miller serves as showrunner, executive producer and writer. Lorne Michaels, Andrew Singer, Erin David also executive produced alongside co-writer Dave Sirus.

Pete Davidson is giving fans a sneak preview of his new comedy series from Peacock.

EXCLUSIVE: WithMayans M.C. coming to an end, star Danny Pino has lined up his next series role — the lead in Hotel Cocaine, MGM+’s upcoming crime thriller from creator Chris Brancato (Narcos).

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic If they ever make a sequel to “The Celluloid Closet” — the landmark doc about the history of LGBT representation on screen — Lukas Gage should warrant at least two mentions. First, there’s the scene from the first season of “White Lotus” where Jake Lacy barges into the resort manager’s office, only to find Gage getting his salad tossed (a history-making moment for gay TV fans). And now there’s “Down Low,” an over-the-top, bottom-trawling comedy that wants to be for the gay community what “The Hangover” was to the mainstream — which is to say, wildly irreverent and incredibly wrong. Starring openly gay “Heroes” villain Zachary Quinto as Gary, a recently divorced, richie-rich zaddy hoping for a happy ending, “Down Low” doesn’t quite understand its own title — code within the Black and Latino community for men who consider themselves straight while having sex with other men — but that’s OK. “Down Low” is still light-years ahead of mainstream movies (including last year’s “Bros”) as debuting feature director Rightor Doyle delivers what an entire contingent of queer audiences have been asking for all their lives: namely, a comedy that’s as raunchy and inappropriate as the jokes they make between themselves. While nowhere near as extreme (or enjoyable) as 2009’s “I Love You Phillip Morris,” it’s still a rare enough occurrence to earn a dedicated following.