The News Reel with Zach Dennis and Brian Welk

MEL Magazine's Tim Grierson joins Zach and Brian on this episode to discuss his latest column on Alec Baldwin and how the actor has had a rocky career that has still seen him as a strong acting prescience. In the top stories, the duo discuss the first trailer for the Tupac Shakur biopic, new projects for Adam McKay, Pablo Larrain and Olivier Assayas, and a cinematic universe of Call of Duty movies. Finally, a WTF story surrounding everyone's favorite weirdo, Shia LaBeouf.   Top Stories: First trailer for All Eyez on Me looks at Tupac and his life Adam McKay gets Christian Bale to play Dick Cheney along with Steve Carell, Amy Adams Activision says they have a whole universe set up for Call of Duty movies Olivier Assayas is making a spy thriller next Pablo Larrain moves into a former Kathryn Bigelow project along with Tom Hardy The writer of Munich and Forrest Gump will write the Dune reboot   Main Story (24:11): "Misleading Men: Alec Baldwin is Having the Last Laugh" By Tim Grierson, MEL Magazine Twitter: @TimGrierson   WTF Story of the Week (1:02:22): Only one person saw Shia LaBeouf's new movie in the U.K.

Adam B. Vary of Buzzfeed joins Zach and Brian for the latest episode of the News Reel to discuss his recent article for the site on the uptick in movie ticket sales so far this year and whether that is because better movies are coming out, more people are interested or people just want to escape the news. In the first part, Zach and Brian look at new stories from the week including Joss Whedon jumping to the DC Universe, Jordan Peele's next project, a host of trailers from Cinema Con and Beyonce becoming yet another queen. Finally, a WTF of true what the f**k proportions.   Top Stories: Joss Whedon is set to write, direct and produce a solo Batgirl movie for DC Jordan Peele is being courted to direct a live-action Akira or The Flash A24's A Ghost Story reveals a look at the much talked about Sundance film Brad Pitt goes to war for Netflix in first trailer for War Machine The tale of two trailers: A first look at The Book of Henry Paul Greengrass is set to direct an Eliot Ness movie that could turn into a franchise Jon Favreau wants Beyonce to play Nala in his live-action remake of The Lion King   Main Story (28:16): "People are Seeing More Movies in Theaters as the World Burns to the Ground" By Adam B. Vary, Buzzfeed Twitter: @adambvary   WTF Story of the Week (54:31): Director Uwe Boll says he has read Jennifer Lawrence's teenage diary and she doesn't know it

Drew Taylor of Vulture joins Zach and Brian to talk about the recent string of live-action remakes from Disney and what the future may hold for the studio. They also look at new trailers for Justice League and Three Billboards over Ebbing, Missouri, and news about new projects for Brie Larson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Finally, a WTF of championship proportion.   Top Stories: The first, full trailer for Justice League teases a lot of movement and heroes Frances McDormand may lead the Oscar push already with first look at Three Billboards over Ebbing, Missouri Amy Schumer leaves Barbie movie, now a star and director must be found Brie Larson will run for President (kind of) Michael Shannon is the first pick by Fox to play Cable in Deadpool 2 Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are teaming up for a musical comedy   Main Story (28:52): "Welcome to the Remake Kingdom" by Drew Taylor, Vulture Twitter: @drewtailored   WTF Story of the Week (1:02:31): David Ross, the 2016 Chicago Cubs are becoming a movie and Brian is thrilled

Donna Dickens of Uproxx joins Zach and Brian in the latest episode of the News Reel to discuss the possible reboot of The Matrix and what ways the franchise could go to do something different from the original three movies. For the top stories, they discuss new trailers for Coco, Baby Driver and Your Name as well as news about The Girl with the Spider's Web and Leos Carax's new film. Finally, a WTF about the behind-the-scenes for blockbusters and what Mads Mikkelson hates about them.   Top Stories: The first trailer for Coco teases new territory for Pixar First trailer for Baby Driver shows us Edgar Wright is still doing very cool things The biggest hit last year in Japan is coming to America in first trailer for Your Name A director has been found to remake The Fly Expect The Girl with the Spider's Web in 2018, but who should play Lisbeth? Leos Carax's new film with Adam Driver was picked up by Amazon   Main Story (35:52): "Don't Reboot 'The Matrix,' Expand It" By Donna Dickens, Uproxx Twitter: @mildlyamused   WTF of the Week (1:06:52): Mads Mikkelson walked out of an audition for Fantastic Four because he felt like 'an idiot'

Keith Phipps joins Brian and Zach for the latest episode of the News Reel to discuss the changes in visual effects over the years and how movies like Kong: Skull Island will age over time. Also, the duo discuss some of the top news stories of the week, including the first trailer for Atomic Blonde, a new cast member for Deadpool 2, the plans for the Kong and Godzilla meet-up and Michael Mann's next project. Finally, a WTF about adding a jungle gym to a movie theater.   Top Stories: Charlize Theron is the female John Wick/James Bond in first trailer for Atomic Blonde Zazie Beetz of Atlanta joins the cast of Deadpool 2 as Domino Warner Bros. taps seven writers to work on 2020's Kong vs. Godzilla Hugh Jackman replaces Christian Bale in Michael Mann's Ferrari biopic James Cameron says Avatar 2 is delayed again   Main Story (22:38): "'King Kong' and the Bogus Notion of 'Dated' Special Effects" by Keith Phipps, Uproxx Twitter: @kphipps3000   WTF Story of the Week (45:49): Movie theater chain decides parents will enjoy movies if kids have playground in the theater

Zach and Brian talk with Umberto Gonzalez for the main story about the recent release of Logan and what that means for the X-Men series and what he thought about the farewell to Hugh Jackman. Also, news on the latest trailers for Alien: Covenant and Pirates of the Caribbean along with a new director for a Transformers spin-off, Jared Leto's possible star vehicle and the next project for Steve McQueen. Finally, a WTF of Tilda Swinton proportions.   Top Stories: The latest trailer for Alien: Covenant looks to pick apart the couples New trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean 5 teases a look at young Jack Sparrow Travis Knight of Kubo and the Two Strings to helm a spin-off of Transformers Jared Leto is circling a reboot of Tron as a starring vehicle Yorgos Lanthimos adds Nicholas Hoult to his already stacked cast for his next film Liam Neeson joins Viola Davis in Steve McQueen's next movie   Main Story (30:17): Chatting with Umberto Gonzalez about Logan and the X-Men series Twitter: @elmayimbe   WTF of the Week (56:11): Tilda Swinton goes full grandpa for her role in the Suspiria remake

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian recap the Academy Awards and...what the hell happened at the end?? They look at some of the performances they were happy to see recognized, the ones that rose some eyebrows and try to make sense of that Best Picture chaos. Also, they talk about some of the bigger news stories from the week.   Top Stories (34:22) R.I.P. Bill Paxton Netflix acquires the rights for Martin Scorsese's The Irishman DC has plans for a live-action Nightwing movie with The LEGO Batman director

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian take a look at the first trailer for Malick's Song for Song and discuss some of the week's news stories, including: Matt Reeves thinking twice about The Batman, Mel Gibson getting in the superhero game, Disney finding their Mulan director and Jared Leto lining up a directorial project. For the main story, the guys are joined by Steven Hyden, who talks about his recent article looking at the faux battle for the Oscars between La La Land and Moonlight. Finally, they discuss this week's crazy story about Fox and fake news.   Top Stories: The first trailer for Song for Song teases Terrence Malick, movie stars and music Matt Reeves has stalled talks over directing the new Batman movie DC is courting Mel Gibson to direct Suicide Squad 2 Niki Caro is set to direct Disney's live-action Mulan A remake of The Raid is coming from Frank Grillo and Joe Carnahan Richard Linklater and Robert Downey Jr. are teaming up for a new movie Cary Fukunaga is set to direct a movie about the bombing of Hiroshima Jared Leto is making his directorial debut with a police drama   Main Story (33:27): "Let's Not Make The Oscar Race The Story of La La Land versus Moonlight" By Steven Hyden, Uproxx Twitter: @steven_hyden   WTF Story of the Week (57:31): Fox used fake news to promote A Cure for Wellness and it backfired

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian look at the first trailer for The Beguiled along with news about The Batman, a remake of Toni Erdmann and the next projects for David Gordon Green and Taika Waititi. For the main story, they're joined by Film School Rejects' writer, Danny Bowes, to discuss his recent column on the Mount Rushmore of action stars and why Keanu Reeves has to be considered for it. Finally, they look at a WTF of the week where Josh Gad tries to figure out the secrets of Star Wars by pestering Daisy Ridley.   Top Stories: The first trailer of The Beguiled teases a twisted affair Jack Nicholson is spurning retirement for a remake of Toni Erdmann with Kristen Wiig Matt Reeves looks to be the guy to take over the director's chair for The Batman The Scarface remake has a star, some help from the Coen Brothers and a few director names David Gordon Green and Danny McBride are teaming up for a new take on Halloween Kevin Smith wants to do another Jay & Silent Bob because things just never die Taika Waititi is co-directing a stop-motion film about Michael Jackson's chimp Matthew McConaughey is going to be a Beach Bum for Harmony Korine   Main Story (29:56): "The Mount Rushmore of Hollywood Action Stars" By: Danny Bowes, Film School Rejects Twitter: @bybowes   WTF Story of the Week (1:01:55): Josh Gad makes series of videos where he asks Daisy Ridley about Star Wars, gets help from Judi Dench

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian discuss the new title for Star Wars: Episode VIII, pay respects to John Hurt and Mary Tyler Moore and try to make sense of what is happening with The Flash movie. For the main story, Vulture's Kyle Buchanan joins the group to break down the Oscar nominations and remind you to make the safe bet and go straight La La Land on your ballot submission. Finally, the WTF of the week covers a famous director coming back to his work in video game form.   Top Stories: There is only one Jedi left, according to the title of Star Wars: Episode VIII John Hurt, famous for Alien and 1984, passes away at 77 The TV legend, Mary Tyler Moore, passes away at 80 The producers of Arrival and director James Ponsoldt are teaming up for a new film The cast and synopsis for Terrence Malick's return to WWII have been released Another writer is re-working The Flash movie for DC   Main Story (25:16): Breaking down the Oscar nominations with Kyle Buchanan More of his Oscars coverage is at New York Magazine Twitter: @kylebuchanan   WTF of the Week (57:30): Francis Ford Copppola wants to return to Apocalypse Now, but this time as a video game