Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, will exclusively launch worldwide in 2017 the new comedy series Santa Clarita Diet, from writer Victor Fresco (Better Off Ted, Andy Richter Controls the Universe).
Said executive producer/showrunner Victor Fresco: “The genius of casting Timothy and Drew, combined with my comedic… oh wait, that’s Cindy’s quote. I agree with what Cindy is about to say.”
“The genius casting of Timothy and Drew combined with Victor’s unique comedic sensibility will delight, and definitely surprise, our members around the world,” said Cindy Holland, Netflix vice president of original content.
In the single-camera series, Joel (Timothy Olyphant, Justified) and Sheila (Drew Barrymore, Blended) are husband and wife realtors leading vaguely discontented lives in the L.A. suburb of Santa Clarita, until Sheila goes through a dramatic change sending both their lives down a road of death and destruction…but in a good way.
Showrunner Victor Fresco, Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Aaron Kaplan, Tracy Katsky, Chris Miller and Ember Truesdell are executive producers on the series. Nancy Juvonen is a producer.
Santa Clarita Diet is a Netflix production.
Timothy Olyphant is known for his poignant roles in both dramas and comedies. For the last six seasons, Timothy starred in and produced the critically acclaimed FX drama series Justified, which is based on Elmore Leonard’s short story Fire in the Hole. Olyphant was nominated for an Emmy for his role as “US Marshal Raylan Givens.”
Last year, he recurred on the new FOX comedy series The Grinder opposite Rob Lowe, which earned him the award for “Guest Actor in a Comedy Series” at the 2016 Critics Choice Awards. He has guest starred on comedy series such as The Office, The Mindy Project, FX’s The League, My Name Is Earl, and Sex and the City.
Timothy is known for his roles in cult classics such as playing a porn producer in Fox’sThe Girl Next Door, a drug dealer in Doug Liman’s GO and the town Sheriff “Seth Bullock” in David Milch’s HBO series Deadwood (Screen Actors Guild nominee).
Olyphant can next be seen in theaters co-starring in Gary Marshall’s Mother’s Dayopposite Jennifer Aniston and Oliver Stone’s Snowden opposite Joseph Gordon Levitt. Open Road is releasing both films in April and September respectively.
Timothy is currently starring in Kenneth Lonergan’s off-Broadway play Hold on to Me Darling, which is being directed by Neil Pepe for the Atlantic Theater Company.
Drew Barrymore was born in Culver City, California, into a revered acting family that includes, among many others, her grandfather John Barrymore and grand-uncle Lionel Barrymore, she started performing in commercials before her first birthday. At age six she was chosen by director Steven Spielberg to co-star as ‘Gertie’ in E.T.: The Extraterrestrial. Once the film was released to overall acclaim in 1982, the young actress had instantly become a movie star.
Much in demand as a child performer, she starred in such well-received films asFirestarter, Irreconcilable Differences, See You in the Morning and Cat’s Eye.
As she became an adult, she continued her prolific output of work by starring in the popular motion pictures Bad Girls, Boys on the Side, Mad Love, Batman Forever, director Woody Allen’s Everyone Says I Love You and the blockbuster Scream.
In 1995, she set out to become involved in films as a producer, creating Flower Films with partner Nancy Juvonen. Their first production was the 1999 comedy Never Been Kissed, followed by the box office hit Charlie’s Angels in 2000. Firmly established as a production powerhouse, Flower Films subsequently produced the features 50 First Dates, cult favorite Donnie Darko, Duplex, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Music and Lyrics,Fever Pitch, He’s Just Not That Into You and Whip It (which she directed and appeared in).
Drew won a 2009 Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as fallen heiress Edith Bouvier Beale in the lauded HBO production of Grey Gardens. Last fall Drew starred in Miss You Already with Toni Collette and also published a book of essays, Wildflower, which was a five week New York Times Best Seller. Most recently she executive produced this springs comedy How to be Single for Warner Bros.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan
Overview
Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.
Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.
Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.
The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.
The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.
Rating: 9/10
Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.
Pros
- Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
- Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
- Rich mythological lore
- Epic fight choreography
Cons
- Sparse episode release
- Story pacing can be uneven at times
Final Verdict 9/10
If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Genre: Action, Drama
Language: Telugu
Director: Boyapati Srinu
Writer: Boyapati Srinu
Producer: Alexander Vallabha
Studio: Creative Commercials
Runtime: 158 minutes
Main Cast:
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. (NTR Jr.) as Rama Chandra / Chinna
Trisha Krishnan as Sathya
Karthika Nair as Neelaveni
Kota Srinivasa Rao, Nassar, and Venu Thottempudi in pivotal roles.
Where to Watch: Currently available for streaming on Sun NXT and Amazon Prime Video (check regional availability).
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Dammu, directed by Boyapati Srinu, is a high-octane Telugu action drama that delivers exactly what it promises: mass entertainment, powerful dialogues, and larger-than-life action sequences. This film stands tall in NTR Jr.’s filmography, showcasing his unmatched screen presence, powerful dialogue delivery, and action hero persona.
The story follows Rama Chandra (NTR Jr.), an orphan raised in a loving environment. His peaceful life takes a turn when he learns about his royal lineage and is chosen to bring back honor to a powerful but fallen royal family. The narrative pits him against a ruthless rival family, setting the stage for intense confrontations, emotional dilemmas, and a classic good-versus-evil showdown.
This is NTR Jr.’s film through and through. His charismatic screen presence, intense emotional range, and commanding action sequences are the highlights of Dammu. Whether it’s delivering punchy mass dialogues or executing gravity-defying stunts, NTR Jr. proves why he’s one of the top mass heroes of Tollywood. His transformation from a soft-spoken man to a ferocious warrior fighting for justice is executed with nuance and raw energy.
As a lover of NTR Jr. movies, Dammu is a treat. His power-packed performance holds the film together even when the narrative feels familiar. Fans of his previous films like Simhadri and Yamadonga will appreciate the high-voltage drama and emotional depth he brings to the role of Rama Chandra.
Trisha Krishnan and Karthika Nair add grace and charm, though their roles are secondary to the male-centric narrative. Veteran actors like Kota Srinivasa Rao and Nassar lend strong support. Director Boyapati Srinu, known for mass entertainers (Legend, Sarrainodu), stays true to his brand with larger-than-life storytelling, heavy on action and sentiment.
The film is loaded with action sequences, choreographed to satisfy die-hard mass film lovers. The fight scenes are over-the-top yet entertaining, with NTR Jr.’s agility and intensity making them believable. MM Keeravani’s music and background score elevate key emotional and action moments. “Ruler” and “Dammu Dammu” are foot-tapping numbers that resonate with the film’s tone.
C. Ramprasad’s cinematography captures the grandeur and the rustic locations beautifully. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao keeps the film’s pace brisk, although the second half could have been tighter.
NTR Jr.’s electrifying performance, Mass appeal with high-voltage action sequences, Powerful dialogues that will thrill fans, Strong emotional undertone in the storyline, Well-composed background score and songs, Weaknesses Predictable plotline with familiar trope,s Over-the-top violence and melodrama may not appeal to all Secondary characters are underdeveloped
Dammu is a full-on mass action entertainer, tailor-made for NTR Jr. fans and lovers of Telugu commercial cinema. His performance is the soul of the film, making it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys powerful hero-centric storytelling. Despite its predictability, Dammu delivers what it promises: high-voltage action, emotional drama, and a powerful lead performance.
Rating: 7.5/10 (An action-packed entertainer elevated by NTR Jr.’s magnetic presence and energy.)
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Dante: Mary Arkham (Lady):
White Rabbit: Enzo Ferino:
Writers: Adi Shankar and Alex Larsen
Producers: Adi Shankar, Lee Seung-wook, Hideaki Itsuno
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Episodes: 8
Runtime: Each episode ranges from 21 to 32 minutes
Story Overview: Set against a backdrop where demonic forces threaten to breach the human realm, the series follows Dante, a charismatic demon hunter-for-hire. Armed with his signature weapons and a mysterious amulet, Dante confronts the enigmatic White Rabbit, who orchestrates a series of supernatural events, including a bold attack on Vatican City. Alongside fellow hunter Mary Arkham, Dante delves into a hidden world where demons have evolved parallel to humanity, uncovering dark secrets that intertwine his fate with the world’s survival.
Review: Devil May Cry masterfully blends ’80s nostalgia with contemporary themes, creating a unique aesthetic that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. The animation is notably expressive, capturing the fluidity and intensity of the game’s combat sequences. The voice cast delivers commendable performances, with Johnny Yong Bosch embodying Dante’s devil-may-care attitude and Kevin Conroy lending gravitas to Vice President Baines. The series’ self-awareness and cheeky humor add layers to its dark narrative, making it a standout addition to Netflix’s animation lineup.
Rating: 8.5/10
Devil May Cry is a thrilling ride that captures the essence of its source material while offering fresh perspectives. It’s a must-watch for animation enthusiasts and fans of supernatural action alike.
Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)
Dammu (2012) Movie Review: NTR Jr. Delivers a Thunderous Mass Action Performance
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