ShortList 2023: ‘Rest Stop’ Director Wants Audiences to Ask ‘What Feels Safe?’

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Iraqi film director and writer Amer Alwan, whose moving drama “Zaman, the Man From the Reeds” was shot right before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and had its North-American premiere at Tribeca in 2004, has died at 66. Alwan, who had long been living in France, died surrounded by family at the Simone Veil Hospital in the French town of Eaubonne on July 4 after battling an unspecified form of cancer for a year, his daughter, Camille Alwan, said by email. He was buried at Saint-Ouen Cemetery in Paris. Born in Babylon-Hills, Iraq, in 1957, Alwan graduated from Iraq’s National School of Drama and Arts and continued his studies at the Audio Visual School of Baghdad, which led to him doing TV work in Iraq. Then in 1980, he left Iraq to earn an advanced degree in philosophy of art and society from Paris’ prestigious Sorbonne university.

Cillian Murphy takes center stage in Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming movie Oppenheimer, and the director is looking back on his casting decision.

Alfonso Ribeiro is getting excited to host the upcoming season of — even if he isn't familiar with the first and only cast member yet announced.ET's Kevin Frazier spoke with the returning co-host — and former Mirrorball trophy champion himself — at the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe, celebrating the 25th anniversary of American Century Investments, which sponsored the celebrity golf tournament.Ribeiro recalled learning that star Ariana Madix would be hitting the dance floor — which she revealed during an episode of earlier this month.«You know, it’s funny because I’m so not involved in television anymore that I have no idea who anyone is anymore,» Ribeiro explained. «I’m so into my kids and into the family.»«I literally had to call up Deena Katz, who is our executive producer and [head of] casting, and say, 'Um, so, who is this? 'Cause I have no idea.'» He added with a laugh.

The Summer I Turned Pretty.As we jump back into the coming-of-age romantic drama and immerse ourselves in the complex love triangle between Lola, Conrad, and Jeremiah, it's impossible not to ponder the talented actors who bring these characters to life.Watch Below: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 - Official Trailer | Prime VideoAmong the cast, there is one member in particular whom fans are eagerly awaiting to know more about - Christopher Briney, a talented 25-year-old actor who portrays Conrad Fisher.The American actor who also starred in Daliland and Mean Girls: The Musical, has come an overnight sensation thanks to his role in The Summer I Turned Pretty and fans are particularly intrigued by his romantic endeavors and past relationships, making his dating life and relationship history a focal point of interest.Related: Everything You Need To Know About Season Two of The Summer I Turned PrettyChristopher Briney is dating Isabel Machado.Christopher Briney has been dating girlfriend Isabel Machado since 2021. Although the pair keep their relationship relatively low-key, they did attend the NYC premiere of TSITP in June together. "Get you some friends like these

, director Christopher Nolan revealed that the cast, including stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and others, left the event to go «write their picket signs» as the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) union decided to go on strike. «I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast,» Nolan said onstage, before he was interrupted by applause after mentioning names of several of the film's many, many stars, who walked the red carpet at the premiere but did not join the director inside the theater.Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to ‘go and write their pickets’ and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk «Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what I believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the union,» continued Nolan, before receiving more applause from the crowd. During the event, Pugh took to Instagram to reflect on the film and thanked those for coming out to support the project. «One of the biggest prides of my career. Honouring the work of the MANY who made this movie tonight,» she wrote.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Universal Pictures has finally unveiled Christopher Nolan’s atomic bomb epic “Oppenheimer” at a world premiere event in Paris, France. First reactions to the nearly three-hour drama are pouring in and are strong across the board, with the film being called a “spectacular achievement” and “audacious.” Writing for The Los Angeles Times, former critic Kenneth Turan hailed “Oppenheimer” as “arguably Nolan’s most impressive work yet in the way it combines his acknowledged visual mastery with one of the deepest character dives in recent American cinema.” Matt Maytum, deputy editor of Total Film, said Nolan’s latest left him “stunned,” adding, “[It’s] a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow.”

Andy Murray’s pulsating clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas will come to a conclusion on Centre Court at Wimbledon on Friday as part of a stacked schedule at SW19.

Pat Sajak is honoring the past as "Wheel of Fortune" looks ahead to the future. On Thursday, Sajak honored the game show's creator, Merv Griffin, on what would have been his 98th birthday.The message comes shortly after "Wheel of Fortune" named Ryan Seacrest as the new host, starting September 2024. "Merv Griffin, the creator of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ was born on this date in 1925," Sajak began on Twitter.

wheel-y grateful for his time on “Wheel of Fortune” — even though Ryan Seacrest is taking his place soon.On Thursday, Sajak, 76, paid tribute to Merv Griffin, the creator of “Wheel of Fortune,” on what would have been his birthday, and thanked the presenter for taking a chance on him all those years ago.“Merv Griffin, the creator of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ was born on this date in 1925,” Sajak wrote on Twitter.“I owe the man so much,” the message continued. “He absolutely defied network executives by insisting on hiring an unknown local TV weatherman to take over his show in 1981.

“Love, Barbara” was selected as a finalist in this year’s ShortList Film Festival, presented by TheWrap. You can watch the films and vote for your favorite here.Whether you’re a fan of Barbara Hammer’s work or a complete neophyte, “Love, Barbara” welcomes you with open arms.

The Lincoln Lawyer starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo returns for its second season this month.Based on the books by Michael Connelly, the legal drama series follows LA defense attorney Mickey Haller who takes on cases from the backseat of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator instead of an office.Other cast members include Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson and Christopher Gorham. New cast additions for season two include Yaya DaCosta, Lana Parrilla and Angelica Maria.The second season is based on the fourth book in the series, titled The Fifth Witness, and is split into two parts.The first five episodes will drop on Netflix on Thursday July 6 at 8am BST in the UK.

hailed as “unrecognizable” upon resurfacing years after leaving the industry. All grown-up now, Michael Conner Humphreys, 38, played the younger version of Tom Hanks’ title character in the 1994 film “Forrest Gump.”Humphreys was just 8 years old when he played the titular character, cast from an open call to play Forrest as a child.However, 29 years on from participating in cinematic history, he decided the spotlight wasn’t for him — instead choosing to finish school, then enlist in the US Army, spending four years as an infantry soldier, which included an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq. He completed his military service in 2008.

“Cousins” was selected as a finalist in this year’s ShortList Film Festival, presented by TheWrap. You can watch the films and vote for your favorite here.To paraphrase one of the many quips Billy Crystal throws down in “When Harry Met Sally”: “In a city of 8 million people, you’re bound to run into your ex.” This is the shrewd setup for Karina Dandashi’s “Cousins,” a 13-minute, Brooklyn-set short centering on Layla (played by Dandashi) and Tarek (Ribal Rayess), two cousins whose reunion is turned upside down when Layla’s ex (Monica Sanborn) turns up at the same bar.“This is the first time I’ve actually done a comedy,” Dandashi told TheWrap.

replacing the game show host at the conclusion of “Wheel of Fortune’s” 41st season. “I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024,” he tweeted Wednesday.Sajak, who served as the syndicated show’s host since 1981, announced his retirement earlier this month. “Well, the time has come.

Again.Ryan Seacrest, 48, was named the new host of “Wheel of Fortune” on Tuesday. He will succeed Pat Sajak, who recently announced he’s retiring next year.This is not Seacrest’s first game show, nor, of course, his first TV hosting gig.The Georgia native left the University of Georgia when he was just 19 years old to pursue a broadcasting career — which has been prolific.Let’s look back on Seacrest’s life on air.In 1993, Seacrest started his career as the host of “Radical Outdoor Challenge” on ESPN, according to US Weekly.The adventure-themed program featured kids competing against each other in challenges at Camp Thunder in Georgia.A year later, the young Seacrest landed yet another hosting role, this time as the co-host of the kids’ show “Gladiators 2000,” a spinoff of “American Gladiators.” The star got a big break when he scored a slot as a DJ on Los Angeles radio station KYSR-FM in 1995, per US Weekly.He left his post there briefly for a job in San Francisco, according to The Los Angeles Times, but returned in 1997 to co-host a popular afternoon radio show with Lisa Foxx.“People have asked me, ‘Why do you still want to do radio if you have an opportunity to do [more] TV?’ ” Seacrest told the LA Times in 2002.

man of many jobs — too many jobs, according to some trolls on social media.The 48-year-old accomplished TV personality is adding “Wheel of Fortune” to his impressive resume, as he announced Tuesday that he will replace longtime host Pat Sajak, 76, when he retires next year. Seacrest holds several coveted jobs in Hollywood as the host of “American Idol”and his syndicated KIIS-FM radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” and Dick Clark’s replacement on ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”Seacrest recently ended his six-year run as Kelly Ripa’s counterpart on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” apparently freeing up some time in his schedule to take on one of television’s most beloved game shows.The “Wheel” gig reportedly comes with a $28 million salary too, which would make Seacrest the highest-paid talent on TV. While one of Seacrest’s Instagram fans argued he is the “perfect replacement” for Sajak, fans over on Twitter voiced different opinions.

Gordon Cox Theater Editor With a resumé that includes “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Fire Island” and the upcoming comedy “How to Die Alone,” Conrad Ricamora has gotten some of his best screen work playing queer characters. And the actor, now starring on Broadway in “Here Lies Love,” wouldn’t want it any other way. Listen to this week’s “Stagecraft” podcast below:

“Wheel of Fortune” has found its new host!

Note to John Mayer: time to lay low.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor Frederic Forrest, a character actor who had a memorable role in 1979’s “Apocalypse Now” and earned an Oscar nomination for “The Rose” in the same year, died Friday in Santa Monica. He was 86. Forrest’s death was first reported by his “Rose” co-star Bette Midler, who paid tribute to the actor on Twitter. “The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died,” Midler wrote. “Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”