Tag: Netflix

  • ‘Mr Bean’ star Rowan Atkinson and William Davies reunite for comedy series Man vs Bee

    Express News Service

    Rowan Atkinson and William Davies reunite for the comedy series Man vs Bee, now streaming on Netflix. Directed by David Kerr the series is divided into nine 12-15 minutes short chapters. It captures a house sitter Trevor Bingley (Atkinson) house sitting for a wealthy couple in their ultramodern, expensive and interconnected home. The house contains voice lock mechanisms, motion sensors to open storage areas, expensive paintings, rare manuscripts and a vintage Jaguar among other cars. It’s also Trevor’s first day on the job and a bee enters the home just as he does, making his life hell for the next forty-eight hours.

    The character of Trevor Bingley might remind us of Atkinson’s more famous Mr Bean persona, even the name feels like an extension. While Bean is played in a tone suited for children and can come across as either a lovable or despicable fool in most situations, Bingley is more a man of circumstance. Recently divorced and looking forward to a modest camping holiday with his teenage daughter, it’s a job all-important for him. Except the bee is in his way.

    The series plays out much like situations Mr Bean would find himself in, but Bingley goes for the more intelligent if desperate options and doesn’t mind coming across as vain. There is everything one would associate with Atkinson here—physical comedy, scatological humour, slapstick as well as some moments worth pondering about.

    The bee stings Bingley where it hurts the most. Christian and Nina are sceptical about the odd seeming Bingley but give him a 2-minute lowdown on the idiosyncrasies of the house and their dog—Cupcake—with a nut allergy. The house has a manual of instructions with details on how to operate—yes living in the house is active work.

    It’s more a book than a series of instructions, the size bigger than most famous novellas and predictably is burnt to ashes in the first couple of hours Bingley spends at the house. We get throwaway moments of Bingley with his daughter as he juggles his life, the bee, a dog and all the valuables inside.

    As silly as the premise is and as simplistic the humour can be, it is due to Rowan Atkinson’s conviction and trust in the material that Man vs Bee remains funny and watchable. We are the surveillance cameras in this modern home, looking at and judging Bingley’s actions while also learning about him and the people living in the house even if they are holidaying and therefore not on screen. There are no great statements made but it’s not lost on anyone that Bingley arrives wearing the blue jacket of the company he just joined. 

    He is a blue-collar worker, a member of the working class finding himself in a corner both personally and professionally and the corner he could find was Nina and Christian’s plush home that stands like a testimony to the internet of things. A cupboard can be opened with a wave of the hand, Bingley has a tough time figuring out how to get water out of a tap and the bathroom shower and the piano can play itself. It’s like a crude awakening to how we have electronics to control and secure everything and yet a human being working for minimum wage is required to guard it while the posh couple is away.

    The series even does misdirection well. At one point we are made to feel sorry for the bee when Bingley reads something on the internet about the male bee and how it is booted out of its community once its part is done. Just when we think the series is gearing towards sentimentality by making an unlikely comparison it takes the liberty to whack our heads and reconsider our position. Trevor Bingley needs no one’s pity. He can dispatch the devils all by himself.

  • Netflix lands Russo Brothers’ film ‘The Electric State’

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Joe and Anthony Russo’s next directing venture “The Electric Slate”, starring Millie Bobby Brown, has found a home on the streaming platform Netflix.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the development comes after nearly half a year of negotiations.

    The movie was previously set up at Universal Pictures, which eventually passed up the deal due to budget issues.

    The new budget is more than USD 200 million, said sources.

    “The Electric Slate”, based on the acclaimed 2018 graphic novel by Simon Stalenhag of “Tales from the Loop” fame, is a reunion of sorts.

    This marks the second big-budget collaboration of the Russo Brothers, known for Marvel Studios blockbusters “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”, with the streamer following “The Gray Man”, the action movie which premieres in July.

    Brown, the star of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” series and “Enola Holmes” film franchise, will headline “The Electric Slate”, with Chris Pratt, who featured in the Russos’ Avengers films, in talks to join her.

    Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, whose credits include “The Gray Man” and the “Avengers” movies, will adapt Stalenhag’s novel for screen.

    The story follows an orphaned teenager, played by Brown, “who traverses an American West that is reminiscent of a retro-future with a sweet but mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter in search of her younger brother”.

    Russos are also producing the feature film via their AGBO banner, along with the company’s co-founder, Mike Larocca. Chris Castaldi and Patrick Newall are also credited as producers.

    Markus, McFeely, Angela Russo-Otstot, Jake Aust, and Geoff Haley are attached to executive produce the movie.

    Production is expected to begin later this year in Atlanta.

  • The Lincoln Lawyer renewed for Season 2

    By Express News Service

    Fans of Mickey Haller have a piece of good news. The Lincoln Lawyer will be returning for a second season, it has been officially announced by Netflix’s head of global television, Bela Bajaria during the Banff World Media Festival.

    Created by David E Kelley, the second season of the film will consist of ten episodes and is based on The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly.

    Manuel Garcia-Rulfo will return to the star as the criminal-defence lawyer. The first season of the show also featured Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, and Christopher Gorham.

    Dailyn Rodriguez of Queen of the South fame will be serving as showrunner and executive producer along with Ted Humphrey.

  • Netflix to expand ‘Squid Game’ universe with new reality series ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’

    The 10-episode competition series is a co-production between Studio Lambert (The Circle) and The Garden (24 Hours in A&E), part of ITV Studios, and it will be filmed in the UK.

  • Brace yourself for the return of Squid Game; Netflix announces Season 2

    By Express News Service

    Earlier this year, streaming giant Netflix announced that a second season of the Korean survival drama, Squid Game, was definitely in the works. On Sunday, they confirmed the development with Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk penning a heartfelt note of gratitude for the support.

    He wrote,“A Whole New Round is Coming…It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever.As the writer, director and producer of Squid Game, a huge shout to fans around the world.Thank you for watching and loving our show.And now, Gi-hun returnsThe Front Man returnsSeason 2 is comingThe man in the suit with ddakji might be back. You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su. Join us once more for a whole new round.”

    This note also suggested the return of some iconic characters and newer potentially iconic characters being written into the second season. Fans rejoiced at this announcement, and have been expressing their happiness about the return of the show, which became a pop-culture phenomenon across the world.With over 1.65 billion hours of the show having been watched by its subscribers in the first 28 days of its release, Squid Game became Netflix’s biggest-ever TV show.

  • Netflix officially confirms ‘Squid Game’ season 2

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Streaming service Netflix has officially renewed its hit Korean survival drama series “Squid Game” for a second season with writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk promising fans that “a whole new round is coming”.

    Hwang also revealed that Song Gi-hun aka player no 456, played by Lee Jung-jae, and The Front Man, a mysterious character essayed by Lee Byung-hun, will reprise their roles.

    He also teased the return of Gong Yoo, who played the unnamed character of a man in the suit with ‘ddakji’ who recruits players into the ‘Squid Game’, a series of Korean’s children games with a deadly twist whose last surviving contestant will be rewarded 45.6 billion won as cash prize.

    In a note shared on Netflix’s social media pages late Sunday night, the acclaimed director thanked viewers for loving the show, which only saw the light of day 12 years after it was conceived.

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    “It took 12 years to bring the first season of ‘Squid Game’ to life last year. But it took 12 days for ‘Squid Game’ to become the most popular Netflix series ever. As the writer, director and producer of ‘Squid Game, a huge shout-out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show.

    “And now, Gi-hun returns. The Front Man returns. Season 2 is coming. The man in the suit with ddakji might be back,” Hwang said.

    Hwang Dong-Hyuk writer, director, producer, and creator of @squidgame has a message for the fans: pic.twitter.com/DxF0AS5tMM
    — Netflix (@netflix) June 12, 2022
    The director, also known for Korean films such as “Silenced” and “Miss Granny”, said in this season the audience will be introduced to Cheol-su, the boyfriend of Young-hee, the giant creepy doll that shot lasers out of its eyes in the first round ‘Red Light, Green Light’ of “Squid Game” season one.

    “Join us once more for a whole new round,” he added.

    The streamer’s announcement comes six months after Hwang said he was in talks with Netflix over “season 2 as well as season 3”.

    ALSO READ | ‘Stranger Things 4’ Volume 1 breaks Netflix’s viewership record with its premiere 

    “Squid Game” was released on September 17, 2021 and soon became a global hit for the streamer, topping charts across the world to become the most-watched Netflix series of all time.

    According to the makers, the official synopsis of the series reads: “A mysterious invitation to join the game is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. 456 participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games in order to win 45.6 billion won. Every game is a Korean traditional children’s game such as Red Light, Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. Who will be the winner, and what is the purpose behind this game?”

    The wildly popular K-drama also starred Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, HoYeon Jung, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Kim Joo-ryoung and Indian actor Anupam Tripathi.

  • Netflix renews K-drama ‘All of Us Are Dead’ for season 2 

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Korean-language zombie apocalypse horror series “All of Us Are Dead” will return for a second season, streaming platform Netflix has announced.

    The streamer shared the news on its official Twitter page on Monday night. “All of Us Are Dead has been renewed for Season 2! #GeekedWeek,” read the post by Netflix.

    ALL OF US ARE GLAD because we’re getting a second season of All Of Us Are Dead!!! #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/wR8wRyslf0
    — Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) June 6, 2022
    Based on Naver webtoon “Now at Our School”, the coming-of-age drama follows the lives of students at a high school in South Korea as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse outbreak caused by a failed science experiment.

    The first season of “All of Us Are Dead”, consisting of 12 episodes, received acclaim upon its debut in late January.

    The show starred mostly newcomers such as Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, and Lee Yoo-mi, along with seasoned artists Kim Byung-chul, Lee Kyu-hyung, and Jeon Bae-soo.

    Yoon Chan-young, Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-hyun, and Lomon will reprise their roles in season two.

  • ‘Stranger Things 4’ Volume 1 breaks Netflix’s viewership record with its premiere 

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: “Stranger Things” season four volume one has become the most viewed English-language series on Netflix by breaking the record for the biggest ever premiere weekend of “Bridgerton 2”.

    The sci-fi series, created by the Duffer Brothers, returned to the streamer after a gap of three years with seven episodes.

    The second volume is set to release on July 1 with two episodes.

    According to Netflix’s newly released Top 10 rankings, Season four of the Duffer Brothers’ hit sci-fi series was viewed for 287 million hours during the week of May 23-30, landing in the No.1 position following its premiere on May 27, reported Variety.

    All four seasons of “Stranger Things” made it back into Netflix’s Top 5 titles for the week of May 23-30.

    Taking the No.3 spot with 28 million hours viewed was Season 1 of “Stranger Things”, which first crept back into the Top 10 last week as fans rewatched the series in preparation for Season 4.

    Season 3 followed right behind in fourth place with 24.2 million hours, followed by Season 2 in fifth place with 22.2 million hours.

    “Bridgerton” Season 2 was viewed for 193 million hours over its debut weekend, which occurred during the week of March 21-27.

    That impressive three-day viewership was a record-breaker for the streamer, with “Bridgerton” Season 2 becoming the most-watched Netflix English-language TV title in its premiere weekend in Netflix history.

    “Stranger Things 4” now holds that title by breaking the previous record by nearly 50 per cent.

    The series, which first premiered on the streamer in 2016, has already been renewed for its fifth and final season. 

  • ‘Bridgerton’ actor Ruby Barker discharged from hospital amid mental health struggles 

    By PTI

    LONDON: Ruby Barker, best known for playing Marina Thompson in the hit Netflix series “Bridgerton”, said she has been discharged from the hospital following a mental health scare.

    The 25-year-old actor last week shared a video on Instagram saying that she was “taking a little break” after she was hospitalised due to ill health. In a new video shared Monday, Barker said she was out of the hospital and spending time at a nature retreat.

    She previously said she had become “really unwell” since starring on the period romance “Bridgerton”.

    “I’ve been discharged from the hospital! Thank you so much for the support, I can’t wait for the future and I feel as if I’ve come out the other side. Thank you, everyone, have a blessed day, take care of yourselves, don’t be afraid to check in with your loved ones and we’re all in this together as they say in High School Musical. Big big love,” she captioned the post.

    The actor also expressed gratitude towards her friends, “Bridgerton” team, the medical community of the NHS, as well as the media for reaching out to her.

    “It made me feel so happy to be alive. I didn’t expect so many people will reach out to me after watching the video. It made me feel less alone. A big shout-out to the NHS for taking care of me. I’m doing ok.”

    “If I have any advice for my younger self, I would just tell myself, ‘Listen, it’s not all doom and gloom, even when you hit rock bottom’,” she said in the video clip.

    She said she has been in touch with her co-star Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton on the show), who told her to train the mind “to find the funny, the light and the positive” in life.

    Barker recently reprised her role as Marina in a guest appearance in the second season of “Bridgerton”, which premiered in late March.

  • Netflix releases first stills from Leonard Bernstein biopic ‘Maestro’ 

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES:  Netflix has released the first images from its upcoming film “Maestro”, based on the life of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein and starring Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan.

    Cooper plays Bernstein and Mulligan stars as stage and TV actor Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, the wife of the late conductor. The streamer on Monday shared four pictures from the set of “Maestro” on social media which trace the life of a young Bernstein (Cooper) with his wife Felicia (Mulligan). The stills also showcase Cooper as an elderly Bernstein as he conducts an orchestra.

    According to Netflix, “Maestro” will chronicle 30 years of Bernstein’s life who rose to fame after he was tasked with conducting the New York Philharmonic when he was 25. His career skyrocketed when he wrote and composed the music for the iconic Steven Spielberg film “West Side Story”.

    The movie portrays a love story between Leonard and Felicia from when they met in 1946 and through a 25-year marriage and three children: Jamie Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons.

    From the set of Maestro pic.twitter.com/RFSZb1aX1i
    — Netflix (@netflix) May 30, 2022
    “Maestro” also marks Cooper’s first directorial effort since 2018’s “A Star Is Born”, another film on a musical artist in which he also starred.

    The upcoming film also stars Maya Hawke and Matt Bomer and features a script co-written by Cooper and Academy Award-winning scribe Josh Singer of “Spotlight” fame.

    “Maestro” is produced by Cooper, Martin Scorsese, Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Fred Berner, and Amy Durning. Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the film.