On Tuesday, June 4th, Prime Video and Amazon Freevee hosted an exclusive dinner at LINDEN, located at 5936 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, to celebrate the release of their highly anticipated podcast series, Counsel Culture.
Red Summer TV presents the feature-length documentary Tale Of The Tape: How The Mixtape Revolutionized Hip-Hop, now available for streaming on Prime Video, Spectrum On-Demand, and Verizon.
American Rust: Broken Justice, the crime drama television series based on the novel of the same name, kicked off its second season premiere at New York City’s Whitby Hotel.
“Sorry, my mom said I can’t go,” I used to say to avoid hanging out with someone I didn’t want to.
On Wednesday January 31, Prime Video held the premiere of their newest series Mr & Mrs Smith at Brooklyn’s Weylin venue. The premiere saw the screening of the pilot and an additional episode along with an after party.
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” stars Donald Glover as John and Maya Erskine as Jane. The two give up their average lives to become special agents but under the guise of being a married couple in NYC. The series is a modern adaptation of the famous 2005 film of the same name which originally starred Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
There were a number of actors who appeared in the series present at the screening including Eiza González and Michaela Coel. Billy Campbell, who is best known for his roles on “Dynasty” along with “Once and Again,” has a short stint in episode three.
Campbell spoke with us about his character on the carpet saying, “It’s emotional. I had a very small part, but it’s like an arch. It’s a sweet little arch, but it’s a very emotional arch. And I don’t always have the pleasure of being able to do that.”
The actor additionally raved over the chemistry between the two leads of the series; a sentiment felt by everyone on the carpet. Francesca Sloane, show runner and co-creator of the series, made a point that at the center of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” is romance between these two leads.
For anyone who is a fan of the original, this chemistry is far different than expected. In fact, the series doesn’t take much for its original material. Sloane said, “We completely started with a fresh canvas. We really first just wanted to make a story that made sense for the kind of creators that Donald and I are to tell a story, and it felt like something very unique.”
Glover serves as co-creator, director, executive producer, and main lead of the project. It’s not surprising as the multifaceted creator often takes on a great deal on his projects such as his shows “Atlanta” and “Swarm.” As an established creative in his field, Glover admits, “Be surrounded by people you actually trust. People who you trust their taste. It’s not all about you being right. It’s about the piece.” Glover also makes reference to working with his creative partner Hiro Murai who has stood by him on multiple projects.
Be sure to check out the remaining interviews on our Instagram page or below.
Following the screening, the after party occurred on the lower level of the venue. The space was decorated to fit the vibe of a series’ tone. With artwork that moved to reveal hidden secrets, and a machine that revealed if one was a low risk or high risk agent. Guests were also invited to indulge in cocktails suited for an spy as well.
We decided to have our martinis shaken, and stirred of course.
The night was truly excellent, and the series is definitely one to watch, not only for nostalgic purposes but for a refreshing take on the thriller genre.
Our review of the first few episodes of “Mr.& Mrs. Smith” is available now. The series is also available to stream on Prime Video.
Variety Gotham Week kicked off with a screening of Raoul Peck’s latest documentary Silver Dollar Road on Monday, Oct. 2 in partnership with Amazon Studios at the Angelika Film Center. Silver Dollar Road is a documentary film directed by Raoul Peck that tells the story of the Reels family in North Carolina and their decades-long battle to reclaim their ancestral land. The film sheds light on the historical injustices faced by Black families in America regarding land ownership.
The film is told through family matriarchs Mamie Reels Ellison and her niece Kim Renee Duhon who continue fighting for their families’ land even after their brothers and uncles Melvin and Licurtis are wrongfully imprisoned. Melvin and Licurtis become two of the longest-serving inmates for civil contempt in the country spending close to eight years behind bars for refusing to give up their property. Their struggle is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by Black communities across the country. Something that was once seen as invaluable has now become a commodity and the Reels stood in the way of that greed. Despite living on the land & raising their families, they were deemed inferior to those who only saw the land as property and possession.
Courtesy of Prime Video
Raoul Peck joined Variety Gotham Week for a Q&A following the film. During the Q&A he emphasized the importance of authenticity, empathy, and the enduring impact of the film. Peck highlighted his intention not to overly stylize the documentary but rather allow the Reels family to be themselves. He stressed the need to protect both the people involved in the film and the protagonist, ensuring that their story was portrayed with integrity. His goal was to avoid depicting the family as victims and, instead, to present them as parents, uncles, and human beings. By doing so, he aimed to create a connection with the audience, so that when the dramatic moments unfolded, the empathy would still be central.
Peck touched upon the broader context of land ownership and deprivation, a theme that extends beyond the Reels family’s experience. He noted that many people have come from land somewhere and were deprived of it, often involving their parents. This phenomenon is not confined to rural areas but also manifests in cities through gentrification, where marginalized communities are pushed out.
Courtesy of Prime Video
In the context of Beaufort, North Carolina, where the film is primarily set, Peck noted that the town’s residents generally know each other, implying a sense of familiarity and community. However, beneath this surface of familiarity lies a deeper issue related to racial and economic disparities. This is where the power structure comes into play.
Peck observed that despite the close-knit nature of the community, the Black population in Beaufort was disproportionately affected by land dispossession. These disparities reflect a broader pattern in America that particularly affects Black Americans and their access to economic justice. In his own words, Peck emphasized that the film isn’t just a story but a lasting memory. He didn’t want the film to be a detached narrative but he also wanted people to care for the characters as much as he did.
Silver Dollar Road will be available to stream on Prime Video 10/20 and open for viewing 10/13 in select theaters
Prime Video has introduced the gripping eight-part TV series adaptation of Harlan Coben’s novel Shelter. Originally published in 2011, this suspenseful thriller was acquired by Amazon Studios in 2021. The show is part of a trilogy featuring the central character Mickey, and it is co-produced by MGM International Television Productions and Amazon Studios. Harlan Coben assumes the role of Executive Producer.
Jaden Michael, who portrayed a young Colin Kaepernick in Netflix’s Colin in Black & White, is joined by an ensemble cast including Abby Corrigan, playing his goth friend Ema; Adrian Greensmith, also known as Spoon; Constance Zimmer as his aunt Shira Bolitar; Tovah Feldshuh portraying Bat Lady; Sage Linder as Rachel Caldwell, the cheer captain; and Brian Altemus as Rachel’s boyfriend Troy Taylor. Samantha Bugliaro, a newcomer in the acting scene, portrays Ashley, a character who goes missing and assumes the role of a potential love interest for Mickey.
Photo: Prime Video
In the series opener, which premiered at a special screening in Nine Orchard’s, we follow Mickey Bolitar’s journey. Played by Jaden Michael, Mickey grapples with the sudden loss of his father in a car accident. He relocates to a quaint town in Kasselton, New Jersey, to live with his aunt Shira. The initial scenes glimpse his father’s death before the tragic incident, including a mysterious phone call to his sister Shira. His chilling reminder to look after Mickey hints at forthcoming events, casting doubt and suspicion on what lies ahead. Throughout the pilot episode, recurring symbols like the butterfly with menacing eyes and the haunting background song create an eerie atmosphere, signaling that things might not be as they appear.
Photo: Prime Video
The darkness looming over the town is mirrored in Mickey’s past, hinting that his father’s untimely death may not have been a coincidence. The presence of the Bat Lady adds to the local lore, her significance woven intricately into the story’s fabric. As Mickey navigates through the twists and turns, the concept of darkness takes on a multi-faceted meaning—both as a physical reality and as a metaphor for the obscured truths that underlie the town’s history. As secrets are revealed and the past is brought to light, Shelter takes viewers on an unforgettable journey into the heart of a community haunted by its own secrets, local legends, and the unknown.
Shelter premieres on Prime Video on August 18th, with new episodes every Thursday, with the season finale airing on September 21.
The newest dark comedy features a star-studded cast from creative genius filmmaker Boots Riley.
Season 2 of With Love will premiere on June 2nd on Prime Video.
Applause fill the Django as Alex Borstein, the Emmy-winning star of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Family Guy, steps onto the stage with a cheeky smile shouting “Yes! Look at me! Look at me!” Corsets and Clown Suits is Borestin’s newest hysterical brain child airing on Amazon Prime on April 18th. To celebrate its upcoming release, Borstein along with Eric Mills and Salva Rey put on a sidesplitting 30-minute set at the infamous jazz club.