Considering Rihanna, the Actress

Robert here. The latest teaser trailer for Luc Besson's sci-fi epic Valerian dropped today. I have a tepid relationship with the type of high-concept sci-fi that Valerian promises to deliver, but one thing about the project has piqued my interest: sexy space Rihanna, ya'll.

With Valerian coming out later this year, a roll in Oceans 8 as part of an actressing ensemble that appears to be assembled by way of collective gay the Secreting and a two episode arch on The Bates Motel now under her belt, it appears that Rihanna is looking to add film star to her resume.

So, what should we make of Rihanna the actress?

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8 Things To Do While We W8 for Ocean's 8

Chris here, with more of Ocean's Eight (or Ocho? Which is it?). 

After poring vociferously over every single set photo we come across, the studio has finally given us an official first look. With the horribleness going on in the world, this shot of the assembled gang makes us yearn for its sweet relief nownownow. But the wait will be longer than your early morning train ride - can you believe we still have to wait until June 2018 to actually see this thing? Here are eight things to do while we wait for Ocean's Eight...

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Good Links Revolt

Autostraddle "How to Dress like Cate Blanchett's Oceans 8 Character Who is Definitely Queer, Right?"
Comics Alliance Pixar's Coco gets concept art and a voice cast - Gael García Bernal! 
Sydney Morning Herald Australia's own version of the Oscars goes big for Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge with 9 wins from its 13 nominations.
The New Yorker "the fate of cinephilia in the age of streaming"

 

Awards Daily interviews the production design team on Loving 
EW Ryan Reynolds as Entertainer of the Year
Boy Culture Hunky Van Williams, discovered by Liz Taylor of people, who came to fame on TV's The Green Hornet has died at 82. His last movie role was as homage to his friend and co-star Bruce Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
The Wrap Madonna raises $7 million for Malawi with a little help from Sean Penn who she offers to marry again
THR Harsh words for Amazon with the cancellation of Good Girls Revolt 

The World Has Lost Its Mind
Twitter protesters of the lack of gender equality in the Australian film industry dressed as sausages at the AACTAS. "End the Sausage Party!"... they were not talking about the animated movie.
Daily Beast Sofia Vergara sued by her own embryos 
Time has released their Person of the Year stuff. I shan't type his name anymore ever (vomiting ∞). Beyoncé was apparently runner up. So that makes the second strong woman he who shall not be named has grossly defeated in this awful no good terrible when will it end year (except for at the movies. So many good movies) 

List-Making. Tis the Season
Vulture David Edelstein's top 16 includes 20th Century Women and The Fits
Vanity Fair Richard Lawsom's top 10 includes Jackie, The Lobster, and Fire at Sea
Time Stephanie Zacharek's top 10 includes The Shallows, Loving, and Paterson 

And we'll end with David Ehrlich's annual Top 25 Video Countdown. It's always a pleasure to watch this even if you don't agree on the films or their ranking though this year is a far more worthy selection than last year's!

Cate and Sandy on the Set of "Ocean's 8"

by Chris Feil

We're pretty excited for the Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett-led Ocean's retooling here at The Film Experience - no surprise considering the cast also includes Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, and Awkwafina. Can you believe we have to wait almost two years for this thing?!

Well, the film recently began filming and we're of course foaming at the mouth to see our first glimpse of these actresses together! Here are some shots of our headliners in action, with Bullock looking like Miss Congeniality's Gracie Hart back in action but Blanchett giving her audition for a Prince version of I'm Not There. One can hope that costume designer Sarah Edwards (The Last Days of Disco, Michael Clayton) has even more outfits like this for Blanchett to play with.

More looks and thoughts after the jump...

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Movie News in 4 Questions and a Video

by Murtada

Today's movie news offered questions and head scratchers more than usual. So I’ll present you with the questions and maybe you can help me with the answers. Or just join in the bewilderment:

• Why would David Fincher want to direct the sequel to World War Z? Obviously Pitt is a favorite of his but a sequel, really? Is this related to the fact that HBO passed on the two series he was developing for the past couple of years?

• How will Margot Robbie play 4 foot 9 trapeze artist  Lillian Leitzel in Queen of the Air? Will they employ the inverse of whatever they did to make Meryl Streep taller in Julie and Julia (2009)?

• Do we care about the feud between The Rock and Vin Diesel? And doesn’t “candy ass” sound like a euphemism for something?

• What was the extent of Tony Kushner’s involvement in the script for Fences? It was always known that they were working from an August Wilson penned screenplay that both Kushner and Denzel Washington worked on polishing.

• And finally, if you've googled "Who is Awkwafina?" after the news broke out about the cast for Ocean's 8, here's a clue:

 Take it away, dear readers!