Mike Sampson is the Editor-in-Chief of ScreenCrush. He studied to become a lawyer and worked as an architectural planner after graduating college but neither of these professions afforded him the opportunity to watch movies and TV for a living. He previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com for 10 years. He lives in New Jersey and probably spends too much time playing video games and overthinking things.
Mike Sampson
‘Magnificent Seven’ First Look: Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt Saddle Up
After the huge success of Guardians of the Galaxy, newly-minted A-list star Chris Pratt had his pick of projects. He quickly signed on to star in another franchise, Jurassic World, which somehow made him an even bigger star. Then came a more curious choice: a remake of The Magnificent Seven...
Theater Owners Shoot Down Proposed Plan to Release New Films at Home on Opening Day
Two weeks ago came word of a controversial, yet intriguing concept proposed to both Hollywood studios and theater owners: a new encrypted set-top box that would allow moviegoers to watch new releases the same day they open in theaters. So, for example, you could watch Batman vs. Superman on March 25 on your couch for $50. The plan was generating some buzz and support from filmmakers like J.J. Abrams and Peter Jackson, but received its biggest setback today as the National Organization of Theater Owners have officially dismissed the proposal.
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Passes ‘Avatar’ to Become Biggest Movie of All-Time
As was widely expected, Star Wars: The Force Awakens passed Avatar as the highest grossing movie of all-time on Wednesday morning. It was a record many, including George Lucas, thought would never be broken; The Force Awakens did it in just 20 da
‘Finding Dory’ Trailer: Pixar Returns With an Unforgettable Adventure
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Finding Nemo didn’t really need a sequel. It was a completely charming, yet contained adventure, wrapped up pretty neatly. But, it was a very, very successful Pixar movie and, these days, that means sequel. Of the first seven Pixar movies, only Finding Nemo and A Bug’s Life (which has seemed to be almost ret-conned out of existence in the Pixar universe) hadn’t yet had sequels, but that’s about to change next summer as Finding Dory opens in theaters.
Daniel Fleetwood, Terminally Ill ‘Star Wars’ Fan Behind #ForceForDaniel, Dies at Age 32
Back in October, Ashley Fleetwood, the wife of Daniel Fleetwood, a terminally ill Star Wars fan, started the #ForceForDaniel campaign to help her husband see Star Wars: The Force Awakens before he died. Daniel, a lifelong fan who camped out for tickets to see the prequel trilogy, was given only two months to live in July and both he and his wife knew he wasn’t going to be able to make it until opening day. On November 5, Disney, Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams made Daniel’s dying wish come true by bringing Star Wars: The Force Awakens to his home in Spring, Texas.
Daniel Fleetwood died last night, just five days after his Star Wars screening, at the age of 32.
Disney Developing New ‘Mary Poppins’ Movie, Not a Sequel or Reboot
As they have grown rather fond of doing, Disney is looking back at one of their past hits in order to create some future success. After modern day versions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland (not to mention, upcoming versions of Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book), Disney has hired Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods) to direct a new Mary Poppins musical based on P.L. Travers’ original children’s books.
Listen to Tom Hiddleston Sing as Hank Williams in ‘I Saw the Light’
We all know Tom Hiddleston as Loki, but aside from the Avengers and Thor movies, but American audiences haven’t gotten to see much else from the actor. That’s about to change as Hiddleston has a showy role in the upcoming Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light. Musical biopics have traditionally been the road to awards and Oscar glory, but can the same be said for Hiddleston’s performance? The film doesn’t open until late November, but today we’ve got our first look, and listen, to the British Hiddleston sing country western.
2016 Oscars to Hire a ‘Well-Known’ Duo as Next Year’s Hosts
Last years Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris said almost immediately after the broadcast that he “doubted” he would ever do it again, explaining, “I don’t know that my family nor my soul could take it.” Which, of course, meant that the search for a replacement was on almost immediately. But, if you’re looking for just one person, you may be barking up the wrong tree. This year’s Oscars producers say “there will be multiple hosts for sure.”
‘Goonies’ House Closed to Fans After Harassment, Vandalism From Visitors
The real-life Goonies house in Astoria, Oregon has becoming something of a mecca for fans of the 80s cult classic. They would stop by, take pictures, do the Truffle Shuffle and all was good. But all of that Pacific Northwest hospitality has disappeared as the owner of the house has gotten sick of the attention and blocked access to the property, including covering the outside of the house in tarps. Hey, you guyyyyyys…get off my lawn!
Watch the First ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ Trailer!
If The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 left you wanting more, the wait for the final installment in the Hunger Games series is almost over.
Watch David Letterman’s Final, Star-Studded Top Ten List
There were no scheduled guests on the final episode of The Late Show With David Letterman (minus The Foo Fighters, who closed out the night with a performance of “Everlong”), but that didn’t mean that a few of Letterman’s old friends didn’t stop by to say goodbye one last time. Some of the funniest people alive all came together to present one final Top Ten list, Things I've Always Wanted to Say To Dave.
‘Jurassic Park 4’ Trailer: Welcome to Jurassic World!
“You just went and made a new dinosaur? Probably not a good idea.”
And, there’s the ‘Jurassic Park 4’ trailer summed up for you in pretty much one exchange. While the previous ‘Jurassic Park’ films dealt with the folly of John Hammond’s original plans for the park, this new film imagines a world where Jurassic Park is now up and running. The kinks have been worked out. Raptors are trained. But, people are still people and that means they do really stupid things. Like create massive “hybrid” dinosaurs to goose attendance at their park.