The first season of Amazon’s much-anticipated series adaptation of The Lord of the Rings isn’t even in production yet. The series is currently in pre-production in New Zealand, where the show will be filmed. But whatever Amazon has seen of what’s been developed so far has given them all of the confidence necessary to move forward with an early greenlight for season two.

Shortly after we found out that Amazon was in talks for a Lord of the Rings TV series back in 2017, it was confirmed that they had reached a deal and had committed to a multiple-season adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s classic work. So seeing that season two has been greenlighted, even this early, is not all that surprising. But according to reports their multiple-season commitment didn’t necessarily guarantee a second season—understandable, considering the mind-boggling mountains of coin that would be required to produce the five seasons Amazon committed to—and an official greenlight was still needed.

The Report
Director: Scott Z. Burns
Writer: Scott Z. Burns
Cast: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Ted Levine, Michael C. Hall, Tim Blake Nelson, Corey Stoll, Maura Tierney, Jon Hamm, Matthew Rhys, John Rothman, Sarah Goldberg
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Rated R | Minutes: 120
Release Date: November 15, 2019

There is nothing more shocking and revealing than the truth. Scott Z. Burn‘s The Report is based on the true story of Daniel Jones’ investigation into the infamous Torture Report that followed after the September 11 attacks. The film takes a deep dive to uncover the heinous torture crimes committed by the CIA, and how they and the White House tried to cover it all up. While it is a slow and tedious political thriller, it is something that is filled with fast-paced dialogue, outstanding performances from Adam Driver and Annette Benning, and shocking revelations that will surely evoke anger and frustration.

Above all, The Report highlights the absolute necessity for investigative reporting. My full review here below.

Amazon has settled on a location for their massive adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s epic tale The Lord of the Rings, and it’s a familiar place to fans.

Amazon Studios has announced that the series will be filmed in New Zealand, where Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings film trilogy and much of his Hobbit trilogy were shot. The series is currently in pre-production, and production is expected to kick off in Auckland, New Zealand sometime in the coming months.

Casting has begun on Amazon’s massive Lord of the Rings series based on J.R.R. Tolkien‘s classic books, and one of the lead roles has now been filled.

It’s being reported that Will Poulter has joined the show as one of the main characters, though it has not yet been revealed which character that is. Poulter is known for his work in Son of Rambow, We’re the Millers, The Maze Runner, The Revenant, Detroit, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, and the recent Midsommar among others.

Brittany Runs A Marathon
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Writer: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Cast: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lil Rel Howery, and Micah Stock
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Rated PG-13 | Minutes: 103 Minutes
Release Date: August 23, 2019

It’s easy to see how some sports movies can be a bit repetitive given their formulaic nature. The training montages, the struggles, and achieving a championship form – whether that means getting an actual trophy or earning the respect of your peers.

But Paul Downs Colaizzo‘s Brittany Runs A Marathon, starring Jillian Bell, doesn’t oversell any of that nor does it become too preachy. Instead, it goes about all of that in an honest way by showing the beauty and ugliness of training hard to become a better person. My full review below.