Miss Vickie’s, known for their crunchy kettle-cooked potato chips, had unveiled their ‘Stroke of Goodness’ campaign, encouraging consumers nationwide to submit their best artwork inspired by the brand’s signature eclectic illustrations seen on their packaging.
Grammy-nominated artist Latto came to New York City to celebrate the premiere of Netflix’s new limited series, Griselda. Held at Capitale in Bowery, we went back to the 1970s, when music, dance, and fashion created an elite club culture that required a guest-list-only atmosphere.
Courtesy of Netflix
Guests were welcomed into the grand ballroom with an Instagram-worthy photo wall that had already garnered a line; mind you, this was just in the doorway. So, you know, it was going to be a jam-packed night.
After we took all the pictures, we made our way to the bar for an early cheers to the weekend with some series-themed cocktails: “The Godmother Mojito” and “La Madrina Margarita,” amongst your typical party drinks.
The real star of the night was the “motel,” a.k.a., the best interactive photo exhibit that took you straight into the world of the new series. Motel staffers directed us through the silent disco room, which, once you put those headphones on, transported us to the disco. Then, the staffers escorted us through the powder room to touch up on our hair, nails, and makeup before going to the most fabulous accessory room to choose our looks for the end of our journey, the 360 photo booth.
Courtesy of Netflix
We left the motel with a Polaroid from the silent disco room, the series soundtrack vinyl, and a pair of sunglasses from the limited-edition Griselda X Foster Grant collection.
For the rest of the night, we enjoyed some more drinks and the ambiance and fueled up with empanadas from Toma before the night’s performance. Rapper Latto closed out the night with an extravagant performance. While the crowd cheered through her whole set, Latto shouted out Karol G, took shots with the crowd, and ended the night on a high note that had guests running home to binge-watch the new series.
Courtesy of Netflix
Starring Sofia Vergara, Griselda is a dramatized depiction of Griselda Blanco, the creator of one of the most powerful cartels ever. Her savviness and ambition earned her the title of “The Godmother.”
Griselda, starring Sofia Vergara, is available now, only on Netflix.
Lana Condor partnered up with KIND Snacks on National “Quitters Day” with a Pop-Up called ‘Better You by Lana.’ Here, they encourage you to ditch those restrictive resolutions and trust your taste buds in this interactive experience!
On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Netflix’s THE KITCHEN held a special screening in New York at The Roxy Cinema.
The screening was followed by a conversation with co-director Daniel Kaluuya and lead star Kane Robinson and was moderated by Jasmine Simpkins from Hip Hollywood. Other attendees included Dave East, Maino, Brian “B Dot” Miller, and Elliott Wilson.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10: (L-R) Kane Robinson, Daniel Kaluuya and Kela Walker speak onstage during a special screening of ‘The Kitchen’ hosted by Daniel Kaluuya and Kane Robinson at The Roxy Hotel on January 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for NETFLIX)
For his directorial debut, Daniel Kaluuya and co-writer Joe Murtagh decided to tell a story set in dystopian London about Izi (Kane Robinson) a member of a community called The Kitchen. The Kitchen is one of the last social housing neighborhoods remaining where the residents refuse to leave despite the constant threat of being forcibly moved. Unlike many of his neighbors, Izi can’t wait to leave and has plans to move to a different neighborhood and leave behind his past. His plans are interrupted, however, when he one day meets 12-year-old Benji (Jedaiah Bannerman) who is looking for family and connection.
Despite his reluctance, tough and brooding Izi forms a bond with sweet, idealistic Benji as the days count down to Izi’s plans to leave The Kitchen. Their relationship is tested by raids on their neighborhood, Benji’s friendship with a local group of kids, and Izi’s desire to remain isolated. It all culminates in an ending that everyone is surely going to be talking about.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10: L-R) Kane Robinson and Daniel Kaluuya speak onstage during a special screening of ‘The Kitchen’ hosted by Daniel Kaluuya and Kane Robinson at The Roxy Hotel on January 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for NETFLIX)
The Kitchen is a strong debut for Kaluuya and feature debut for co-director Kibwe Tavares. It’s filled with exciting world-building that mixes current influences that audiences can immediately recognize, a soundtrack that infuses all the genres that represent London, and performances that connect to audiences. Soccer (or football to some) fans will be delighted by the appearance of Premier League legend Ian Wright who plays the role of “Lord Kitchener”, a selector who runs the radio station in The Kitchen and gives voice to the community’s resistance. When I asked Kaluuya how he managed to get the football icon in the film, he simply said, “He auditioned.” Of course, fans of another popular Netflix title, Top Boy, will enjoy seeing Kane Robinson in this new role. He portrays the stoicism and detached nature of Izi with ease but knows when to pull back and convey Izi’s softer side, showing a depth to his character that helps audiences understand his sometimes frustrating motivations.
However, the star of the show and the heart of the film is Jedaiah Bannerman whose emotional, yet joyful performance as Benji, proves he’s a natural. During the Q&A, Kaluuya and Robinson spoke about the young actor’s performance and why he was chosen for the role.
Kaluuya: His aunt told him that there was an audition and told him ‘You should go up for it’. He sent in a tape and he was the best kid. It was so interesting because he’s the one that hadn’t done anything, and acted before, and he just had it. He just still had himself. What I was really surprised by and grateful for was how much depth he had emotionally and what he could just tap into. He already knew about emotional memory. I learned that at sixth form, but he just knew that. He has a high level of empathy for a 13-year-old. It was really impressive to see him work and to see what he gave to us.
Robinson: It’s just a true performance. A lot of actors that have been trained in that way, they end up acting how actors act. They’re doing performances that they’ve seen before on TV rather than- I have no references, everything is just instinct. It’s like rappers. Some rappers act like how rappers act. It’s things that they’ve heard before just through growing up in this field. When you get someone who is completely fresh it’s like- there’s no blueprint. They’re rolling on complete instinct. I think that’s partly why his performance is so beautiful.
The Kitchen is a dystopian sci-fi thriller set against the backdrop of London made in the vision of its directors. It’s a story about community, family, resistance, faith, fear, trauma, and above all love; both for the people that touch your life and for the places you come from. The Kitchen has a lot to say about the relationships we form with the people around us and the importance of connection, especially in a world where the systems that prevail would rather we be isolated and remain individualistic. And that ending… you’ll just have to watch the film to see what it is.
The Kitchen begins streaming on Netflix starting January 19th.
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”.
(L-R) Yun Jee Kim, Kevin Hart, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Courtesy Netflix
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
Actress JoAnna García Swisher has recently partnered with Abbott, the makers of BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Tests.
I am not going to downplay it: I am a massive fan of the original Netflix series Squid Game, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The series is absolutely brilliant in its portrayal of modern capitalist struggles, and the lengths that struggling people will go to, sacrificing everything that they have, just for some money. When I heard that Netflix was making a spin-off gameshow called Squid Game: The Challenge, I was immediately excited; this is exactly what I had been waiting for. Taking the existing show and turning into something real and tangible, with the largest cast and the largest cash prize in reality TV history. I eagerly watched the episodes when they released, in
The claw machine from the show
anticipation of the next while each episode became more and more tense. This is when I received an invite to attend a premiere for the final episode, and I knew I had to attend.
The venue itself was situated along the west side of Manhattan, and was absolutely beautiful. As I entered, I saw many contestants from the show arrive as well, with their player number imprinted on the vehicle.
Squid Game Workers
Seeing favorites from the show was surreal, and I even saw contestants from the final three, such as Sam and Mai. Inside, the whole venue had been decorated with stunning Squid Game imagery, with quotes from the show on the walls and the red-clad workers with the iconic shapes on their helmets standing guard as exciting picture opportunities. Also available were several activities and treats: I saw a claw machine and a giant game of battleship, both pulled straight from the show. There was a food stand offering pretzels, and a bar offering themed cocktails, such as one called Red Light, Green Light after the show’s first game.
I played a quick game of battlefield, and attempted to sink my opponents ships using oversized pegs and ship pieces. I came close, but unfortunately he got the better of me in the end. It was crazy to think that I was playing this game so casually, and losing with no consequences, while losing the same game in the show meant an immediate reduction of your chances of winning millions of dollars to zero.
Jumbo Battleship
I went around to take some pictures with the Squid Game workers (they were thankfully peaceful here), and before I knew it, the premiere was about to begin. I took my seat, and the final three contestants, Sam, Mai, and Phil came up to the stage to give a short introduction. I watched them introduce themselves and the premise of the show, and I knew that they knew which one of them had won: they were already aware of this cherished secret. After final remarks, the episode began.
THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE FINAL EPISODE OF SQUID GAME: THE CHALLENGE
The final episode was enthralling. I was on the edge of my seat trying to decide who would come out on top. Sam, Phil, and Mai were all at a feast, which concluded with them being given the next task: randomly choosing one button out of three to pick. If the button went green, they and one other of their choice could proceed; if the button went gray, nothing would happen; if the button went red, they would be eliminated. It was an interesting concept that kept the outcomes random, but also allowed for a hint of decision making in who would be selected to come to the next stage. Surprisingly enough, the person I thought would win immediately lost: Sam. I was gutted, but excited to see what would happen next.
The final contestants on stage
We also received some backstories to the characters, where I learned what Mai, Phil, and Sam had to go through. Each had had a tough life, and I still could not decide who I was rooting for.
The final game was again a random one that could have a little bit of strategy to it: rock, paper, scissors. The two remaining contestants would throw their selection again and again, and each winner would be able to select a key to unlock a safe. The first to find the correct key would win the game. After what seemed like hours, and with Mai clearly overpowering Phil in her critical thinking and strategy, she found the correct key and won. The whole room burst into applause, and confetti was shot into the air over the crowd. I was astonished at the winner, but simultaneously extremely happy for Mai. She seemed like she really needed the money, and she had had nothing but hardships throughout her life, including a teenage pregnancy and being kicked out of her family. She absolutely deserved it.
Confetti for the winner
THIS MARKS THE END OF THE SPOILERS SECTION
I had an amazing time at the premiere of the final episode, and although I had already been watching the show, it was something different to be able to watch it in the same room as hundreds of other fans. If you have not already watched the show on Netflix, I wholeheartedly recommended it. The show tackles the human spirit, and the importances of friendships and enemies likewise in achieving one’s goals. It is one of the best shows that I have watched in 2023, and is a must-see.
Thank you to Netflix and the Squid Game team for the amazing opportunity.
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.
PixCake
*Photo credit: Ziyang Wang
Netflix hosted a special screening of Indian director Zoya Akhtar’s newest release, The Archies at the famed Paris Theater in midtown Manhattan.