James L. Brooks looks back at the making of his unforgettable films

Good is a bit of an understatement when it comes to Brooks' films over the past four decades. “Movies are one of the great team sports,” he says. “My particular joy should I use that word? Bettmann Archive/Getty Images my particular whatever about directing is working with actors. I always thought the one thing I can do is make the actors better.” “There’s bliss of ignorance.” Paramount Pictures/Photofest “It just wouldn’t have been good were we not to have everyone we did....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 214 words · Jonathan Beard

James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander's sparks get extinguished inSubmergence: EW review

One of the great pleasures of the movies is watching two beautiful people fall in love before our eyes. Even if its just pretend, it can transport us and send us out of the theater swooning. But there needs to be more to it than just that. Credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films It feels likeThe English Patientlite. Based on a novel by J.M. Ledgard,Submergencestars McAvoy as a British spy named James whose cover identity is as a globe-trotting water engineer....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 150 words · Kyle Martin

James McAvoy joinsLoganbreakout Dafne Keen in BBC'sHis Dark Materialsseries

McAvoy has officially joined the cast of BBC OnesHis Dark MaterialsTV series, EW has learned. What began withThe Golden Compasscontinued withThe Subtle KnifeandThe Amber Spyglass. Her journey becomes even more expansive when she learns of parallel universes and the mysterious substance known as Dust. Credit: David M. Benett/WireImage Keen gained international recognition playing the young mutant X-23 in the R-ratedLogan, which starred Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. And the sheer talent now working in the world of long-form television is formidable....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 126 words · Emma Harris

James McAvoy on using art as therapy forThe Children's Monologues

The proceeds from the evening will directly benefit Dramatic Need and Carnegie Hall. This is the first time the event be staged in the United States. As has been done previously, the monologues will also be presented in Africa on Nov. 13. Credit: Simon Annand Dramatic Need is a charity dedicated to using the creative arts to help children address trauma and development issues. Then, how those trainers ultimately, as status symbol led to his demise as well....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 334 words · Linda Williams

James Murray fromImpractical Jokershas written a horror novel — read an exclusive excerpt

As a member of theImpractical Jokersteam,James S. Murray(a.k.a. Murr) tries to have TV viewers in stitches. Ive always loved the horror/sci-fi genre (some would argue that what we do onImpractical Jokersis horror! ), says Murray. The idea forAwakenedcame to me one night on my long commute home to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The subway station was empty and eerily quite, and I could barely see into the darkened tunnel ahead. The further I peered, the darker the tunnel became....

May 1, 2025 · 6 min · 1114 words · Dana Camacho

James Norton talks using Michael Corleone as inspiration forMcMafia

Americans might not recognize James Norton without his vicars collar. Norton says he drew upon Michael Corleone and that epic series for inspiration throughout filming. It wasnt an active choice. Credit: Nick Wall/BBC/Cuba Pictures/AMC Weve kind of nailed the medium. What was it specifically aboutMcMafiathat drew you in?The world of the mafia is really compelling. Were all into it and series likeThe SopranosandThe Godfatherand things. Todd Antony/BBC/AMC Theres a certain romance attached to the mafia in the past....

May 1, 2025 · 3 min · 443 words · Richard Flores

James Spader is back in lawyer mode inThe Blacklistsneak peek

Alan Shore, is that you? Not quite but fans ofThe Practice(andBoston Legal) can dream. executive producer John Eisendrath says. Virginia Sherwood/NBC Raymond Reddington decides the best person to represent him as he fights for his lifeisRaymond Reddington. Eisendrath adds, This is a total tour de force for Spader to play. In the exclusive clip above, Red is already well-acquainted with challenging the judge. Virginia Sherwood/NBC Instead, he counters, I feel it more prudent to represent myself....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 80 words · Stephen Moore

James Taylor to bring 'Fire and Rain' and more to Las Vegas for new residency

He thought Id love it and he had been really surprised by it, during his own residency. The Kennedy Center Honoree admits that he was initially skeptical. I was a Vegas snob forever, for sure, he says. Timothy White But time and image and headliners change. For one thing, its now a town of two million people. He is aware that Vegas audiences also have certain expectations. Basically, weve worked up a set thats a retrospective....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 146 words · David Becker

James Toback issued profane denial when asked about sexual misconduct allegations

And anyone who says it is a lying csucker or ct or both. Can I be any clearer than that? The initialLos Angeles Timesstory, published Oct. 22, also detailed numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment. Credit: Dominique Charriau/WireImage These are people I dont know, and its things I never would have done, Toback told Aron. And its just not worth talking about. My question to you is, do you want to be a writer?...

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 113 words · Michael Sullivan

James Van Der Beek's role inPosewas originally Donald Trump

FXs new seriesPoseis set in 1987 in New York City and focuses mainly on the ballroom culture in Harlem. In one of the original scripts forPose, Trump was an actual character. I think I had him down. JoJo Whilden/FX But eventually, the creative team felt that having him in there was too distracting. Explains Murphy, The election happened, and were like, Nobody wants to see him. Hes the biggest fraud of all time, says Falchuk....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 116 words · Mr. Russell Johnson

James Wolk shot an embarrassing shower scene forTell Me a Story

For an actor, courage can take many forms. Sometimes it involves tightly choreographed fight scenes. Sometimes it involves working with acting idols. Mike Coppola/Getty Images I was somewhat nude, and it was a shower scene, Wolk said. But in the show, they couldnt fit the camera in the shower and the wall in the shower. So, theyre like, Okay, we came up with this idea. Lars Niki/Getty Images So now Im in a privacy brief, holding this grown mans hands, screaming and crying!...

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 108 words · Laura Patrick

Jamie Foxx to star as Spawn in Todd McFarlane's directorial debut

In the comics, Al Simmons is a black-ops soldier betrayed and killed by his own. Theres a mechanism for the character of Spawn to talk, but Spawn himself wont, he says. So theres gonna be two forms. Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage; Image Comics So when the form of Spawn comes, then thats it, then its just go time. Ive never been a fan of listening or wanting to see the ghost talk....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 184 words · Jeffrey Stevens

Jamie Lee Curtis is the ultimate horror heroine on EW's killerHalloweencover

For more onHalloween, pick up the new issue ofEntertainment Weeklyon stands Friday, orbuy it here now. Laurie Strode is becoming unhinged. She was really unhinged from the whole experience, Curtis tells EW of Lauries ordeal back in 1978. Art Streiber for EW The woman we meet 40 years later is really a walking example of PTSD. Lets have a do-over. Given the situation, her request seems perfectly reasonable. But Greers dialogue can also be interpreted as a wink to the films audience....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 130 words · Stacy Bryant