A serious marital dilemma is set in the background of the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, celebrating the beginning of spring.
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Exclusive: Simu Liu talks ‘Arthur the King’ movie – Mark Wahlberg [VIDEO]
Grab your tissues and some treats because we have the most PAWsome movie to tell you about! Arthur the King is based on the true story of Mikael Lindnord (played by Mark Wahlberg) and a stray that he named Arthur. In the movie, the two bond over meatballs, Arthur becomes smitten, and the pair race through the Dominican Republic together. In real life, Lindnord raced across Ecuador with the mutt. The movie explores how a “ruff” lookin’ pup unites a team of people pushing their limits.
Excitingly, Arthur the King has partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to bring attention to dog adoption.
The Knockturnal enjoyed a private screening of Arthur the King with Mikael Lindnord… AND surprise appearances by Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, the “Arthur” pup, and more at Westfield Century City AMC in Los Angeles!
Set up outside the movie theater was an official Arthur the King PAWty with bites, beverages, epic photo booths, a climbing wall, a pup adoption center, and a K9 playpen! A DJ blasted Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s iconic single “Good Vibrations” while calligraphers created custom paw print art for animal lovers.
Along the green carpet… DOG HAIR? Don’t care! Pup-arazzi caught Mikael Lindnord using a lent roller down Simu Liu’s top after Simu posed for several photos with his adopted canine, Chopa! Simu met Chopa on the set of Arthur the King. (Chopa was a background mutt. No autographs, please.) Simu, who plays adrenaline influencer “Leo” in the film, tells The Knockturnal’s Kinsey Schofield that the international adoption process was difficult and he would like to improve travel protocols. (Listen to him explain in the interview above.)
Raise the woof! Arthur the King hits theaters March 15th!
Kinsey Schofield is a contributor to The Knockturnal and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Unveiling the Power-Packed Thrills of Disney+’s ‘Moving’ with Director Park Inje [VIDEO]
The Knockturnal got to sit down with Director Park Inje, renowned for his subtle portrayal of emotional nuances in Kingdom Season 2, about his recent show on Disney+, “Moving.” This action-packed series delves into the mysterious world of superpowered individuals, espionage, and a gripping storyline that spans three decades.
In the 1990s, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) assembled a black ops team of superpowered fighters to undertake classified missions in defense of the country. Despite their successes, the team mysteriously vanished one day. Decades later, Bongseok and Huisoo, two teenagers with extraordinary abilities, find themselves at the center of a dark conspiracy. A mysterious delivery driver named Frank begins targeting people with powers across Seoul, putting the lives of the young protagonists in peril. The series unfolds as a thrilling cat-and-mouse game, questioning whether anyone can stop Frank before he uncovers the children’s secrets.
“Moving” is adapted from the hit webtoon of the same name, created by Kangfull. The series brings to life the dynamic storytelling of Kangfull, offering a fast-paced narrative filled with fun, thrills, action, mysteries, and more. The protagonists, having hidden their abilities for years, now find themselves confronting powerful governments and facing a world that seeks to exploit their unique gifts.
Director Park Inje demonstrates his directorial prowess in “Moving” talking to us about inspiration behind the show, process of selecting the cast, and future directorial endeavors. His ability to balance subtle emotions within the context of an epic story is evident, earning him a well-deserved nomination for a Critics Choice Award for “Moving.” With a background in creating compelling narratives, Inje brings a unique vision to the series, ensuring viewers are in for a cinematic treat.
“Moving” is a rollercoaster of emotions, action, and intrigue, offering viewers an immersive experience into a world where superpowers collide with espionage. Director Park Inje’s direction, combined with the stellar cast and Kangfull’s compelling narrative, sets the stage for this amazing series. Check out “Moving” on Disney+ now!
Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo discuss their latest hit, ROLE PLAY, on Amazon Prime Video with The Knockturnal‘s Kinsey Schofield. Watch Kaley discover that David is royalty in real life! Plus, find out their latest dog count and how Kaley kept her pregnancy a secret on set!
Secrets don’t make friends but they sure make good action movies!
Prime Video’s ROLE PLAY starring Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) and David Oyelowo (Selma) will have you lunging out of your seat and hiding under your blanket! This action-packed comedy revolves around a wholesome married couple looking to spice things up. What is so action-packed about THAT you might ask? Oh, probably just Emma’s (Kaley) secret life as a cold-blooded assassin! Poor David’s character (Dave. Conveniently.) is left oblivious as he packs the tedious PB&J and carts the kids off to school. But all hell breaks loose when the couple decides to have a weekend to themselves and Emma is recognized by the bad guys! They say all is fair in love and war… but what happens with the two collide?
The chemistry between Cuoco and Oyelowo is authentic and outstanding. These are two individuals who clearly enjoy and respect each other on and off screen. In fact, the two got along so well that journalists would have to pause for their laughter to end between hits. You felt like you were walking into an inside joke and so badly wanted to be included in the fun. You feel the same FOMO watching the pair on the big screen. “Why are these two not my neighbors? I want to BBQ at their house!”
This stellar film features several familiar faces including Bill Nighy (Love Actually… THE Love Actually!), Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman), and Stephanie Levi-John of The Spanish Princess. If you love action movies that keep you on the edge of your seat… if you love looking at David Oyelowo (I mean, he’s precious.) or anything starring puppy-loving Kaley Cuoco (5 dogs.) then this is the movie for you.
Prime Video’s ROLE PLAY is available to stream on January 12, 2024. Subscription required.
Kinsey Schofield is a contributor to The Knockturnal and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Netflix Premieres ‘Lift’ at Lincoln Center with a Star-Studded Cast
Netflix premiered its latest action heist film at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC on Monday, January 8. Directed by F.Gary Grey and written by Daniel Kunka, Kevin Hart who plays Cyrus Whitaker races to lift $500 million in gold along with his castmates Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Yun Jee Kim, & Viveik Kalra. Lift has been in production for a few years setting the tone for the first quarter as an original Netflix film.
In a Red Carpet interview with Netflix, Gugu Mbatha-Raw who plays Interpol agent Abby Gladwell shares that she hopes audiences will feel swept up in the film and describes it as a “fresh, fast action-thriller”.
Escapism was a central theme for the movie and the night of the premiere. While orchestrating a large-scale heist 40,000ft in the air might be implausible, bringing together a talented team and a cast that understands the story Grey and Kunka wanted to tell is critical. Creating characters that the audience can connect with is the most important aspect of filmmaking. A compelling script and great characters ensure a good movie, but having the right people in the room with the right energy completely transforms how it’s perceived. This, in turn, influences how people engage with the film and what we ultimately consume as the audience. Grey touched on this during his Red Carpet interview, expressing, ‘I want the audience to escape, be taken on a ride, enjoy the actors, enjoy the performances, and hopefully, they will.'”
Lift will be available to stream on Netflix January 12th
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Mean Girls’ Cast Explain How The Movie Remains Relevant [Video]
Speaking with the cast of Mean Girls, a movie that played a dominant role in my upbringing, was an honor. In school, everyone would playfully quote, “You go Glenn Coco!” Or the classic, “I don’t think my father, the inventor of Toaster Strudel, would be too pleased with this.” Expectations were very high with the release of a 2024 iteration of Mean Girls. And the expectations were not just met, but exceeded.
Exclusive: Sam Li Talks Upcoming Netflix Thriller ‘The Brother’s Sun’ [Video]
In a riveting interview with Sam Li, the talented actor behind the character Bruce Sun in Netflix’s upcoming series, “The Brothers Sun,” we delved into the intricate plotlines and compelling family dynamics that define this gripping tale. Premiering on January 4, 2024, “The Brothers Sun” takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the hidden realms of the Taiwanese triad, all while exploring the complex relationships between estranged siblings.
Born in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, Sam Li’s personal journey mirrors the cross-cultural narrative of the show having been raised in Southern California, the very city that serves as the backdrop for the Sun family’s tumultuous saga.
The life of this average Californian, Bruce gets turned upside down once his older brother, Charles visits Los Angeles from Taipei, Taiwan. Bruce, oblivious to his family’s criminal ties, is suddenly thrust into a world of danger and intrigue. Having no recollection of his past in Taipei, Bruce soon learns about his family’s profession as Taipei renowned gangsters, with his brother being a hardened criminal raised by his late crime boss father.
As the plot unfolds, viewers witness the challenges of adaptation and reconciliation. Charles, forced to relocate to LA after his father’s assassination, seeks to protect his family. Bruce, on the other hand, grapples with the shock of discovering his family’s criminal legacy. His mother’s effort to build a life away from her estranged family proves futile, as now Bruce has to adapt to the gangster life of his family.
The show, despite being about the triad world, is also a story of brothers and trying to repair sibling relationships for me. You have two brothers who will never truly understand the other, having grown up apart in two completely different worlds.The duality of their lives is striking, with Charles training to become the deadliest assassin in Taiwan, while Bruce, the average Californian, aspires to fulfill his mother’s dream and become a doctor.
“The Brothers Sun” promises a thrilling blend of action, emotion, and suspense, anchored by the nuanced performances of its cast. Sam Li’s portrayal of Bruce Sun adds depth to the character, making him a relatable figure caught between two worlds. As the series unfolds, audiences will be captivated by the intricate web of family secrets, crime, and the unbreakable bonds that define “The Brothers Sun.” Prepare for a binge-worthy experience this January 4, 2024, only on Netflix.
*Photo credit: Ziyang Wang
Photography by Dijana Mesin
Christmas on Cherry Lane was a unique and thoughtful film that followed the story of three families simultaneously. We witness each family member’s festivities, traditions, worries and anxiety, especially pertaining to their holiday plans.
The film’s brilliant showcase of separate plots over various decades was perfected effortlessly and beautifully by both the writer and director. Christmas on Cherry Lane had a unique “big picture” take and gave us both a bird’s eye view and fly on the wall perceptions. The audience stepped into each of the three houses and rooted for each person to manage to surpass their personal obstacles.
The film was not only a sentimental and thoughtful seasonal movie but also a confirmation of how we’re all connected. The sense of humanity and empathy in the movie was done intentionally and with a purpose. Audience members discovered how all the families have been connected through different generations thanks to the protagonist’s evolution from being a teen to an elderly resident in the community tying it all together.
Besides Christmas on Cherry Lane displaying charming holiday themes, the movie philosophically confirmed the domino effect of our actions and the beauty of us all being connected with each other over decades of time. It’s a family friendly film that tugs at your heart strings and leaves a lasting effect of hope and positivity on the watcher and perhaps even a tear or two (guilty!).
Bookie is a new comedy series that follows longtime bookie Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco) and his best friend Ray (Omar J. Dorsey) as they collect bets, and try to keep their gambling business afloat in Los Angeles. Cast also includes Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders and Maxim Swinton, with appearances from Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano and Angus T. Jones. The series is created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay.
The Knockturnal recently interviewed Omar and Sebastian about the series. They told us about the origin of this show, working with the creators and finding chemistry with their co-stars. Following his audition, Omar showed up for his chemistry test with Sebastian, he told us, “we were knocking it out of the park…throwing it back and forth with the jokes and it felt really good and it just felt like we were a team.” Sebastian was already signed up to star in this show and he told us about finding his screen partner, “we met Omar at the screen test, he was the guy. He had a swagger about him.” From the first days of filming to wrapping this series the guys knew they had created an extremely funny show. Sabastian told us, “it’s digestible comedy, it’s quick, it’s clever. You get to see a great cast, a collaboration of some really, really great talent.”
Watch Bookie now on Max with new episodes on Thursdays.