Author: Doug Desjardins

Oscar-Nominated ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain’ to Debut on Blu-ray March 10

The Academy Award-nominated film Little Amélie or the Character of Rain will debut on Blu-ray Disc March 10.

Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb and directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, the animated feature from Gkids and Shout! Studios is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

In the film, for the first years of her life, Amélie never makes a sound. But when her grandmother visits and offers a miraculous bite of chocolate, Amélie suddenly awakens to all the world’s wonders. As she explores her home in post-war Japan, Amélie forms a close bond with her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, and discovers new delights in every flower petal, koi pond, and raindrop.

Bonus materials include animation breakdowns and interviews with directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.

The film was released for digital purchase and rental Dec. 9.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Oscar Nominated ‘Mr Nobody Against Putin’ Now Streaming on Kino Service

The Academy Award-nominated documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin is now playing in select theaters and streaming on the Kino Film Collection service.

The documentary chronicles the story of Pasha Talankin, a Russian primary school teacher who offers students a safe haven in his office. After Russia invades Ukraine, Pasha’s role in the school changes dramatically as he is reluctantly drawn into Putin’s propaganda machine. Forced to promote state-sanctioned messages, he struggles with guilt and a sense of powerlessness. As the school’s videographer, Pasha documents intimate and revealing footage of Putin’s regime, capturing the rise of militarized children’s groups and fervent nationalism. When he learns his own life may be at risk, Talankin is forced to plan a dangerous escape from Russia.

Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Talankin,  Mr Nobody Against Putin has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film of 2025.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

Season 2 of ‘Dreaming Whilst Black’ to Debut Feb. 20 on Paramount+

Season two of the British comedy series “Dreaming Whilst Black” will launch Feb. 20 on Paramount+.

Created by and starring Adjani Salmon, the series follows Kwabena (Salmon), a driven Black British filmmaker determined to make work that matters without selling himself out in the process. In season two, Kwabena is finally on the brink of his first major directing opportunity when he’s offered the chance to helm a radical, “color-blind” historical drama. As Kwabena peers behind the curtain of the film industry, he’s forced to confront uncomfortable truths about power, authorship, representation, and the compromises required to succeed.

“Dreaming Whilst Black” also stars Dani Moseley as Kwabena’s old school friend Amy and Demmy Lapido as Maurice, Kwabena’s roommate. Season one of the series debuted in July 2023 on BBC Three and season two debuted in October 2025.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

Disney Debuts Teaser for ‘Camp Rock 3,’ Due on Disney Channel and Disney+ in 2026

Disney Dec. 4 revealed the first teaser for Camp Rock 3, the newest entry in the “Camp Rock” franchise coming to Disney+ and the Disney Channel in summer 2026.

The teaser includes a first look at the Jonas Brothers’ return as Connect 3 and the new generation of campers joining the franchise.

The story picks up when the members of Connect 3 lose their opening act for a major reunion tour, returning to Camp Rock to discover the next big thing. As campers vie for the chance to open for their favorite band, tensions rise and friendships are tested, leading to unexpected alliances. Camp Rock’s all-new campers include Sage, her easygoing brother Desi, camp bad boy Fletch, and intimidating influencer Madison.

Joining the franchise for Camp Rock 3 are Liamani Segura (Sage), Malachi Barton (Fletch), Lumi Pollack (Rosie), Sherry Cola (Lark), Hudson Stone (Desi), Casey Trotter (Cliff), Brooklynn Pitts (Callie) and Ava Jean (Madison). Returning cast members include Joe Jonas (Shane Gray), Nick Jonas (Nate Gray), Kevin Jonas (Jason Gray) and Maria Canals-Barrera (Connie).

The long-awaited sequel will arrive more than 15 years after the 2010 release of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam and the original Camp Rock in 2008.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

‘Music Box’ Documentary ‘Wizkid: Long Live Lagos’ to Debut Dec. 11 on HBO and Max

The music documentary Wizkid: Long Live Lagos will debut Dec. 11 on HBO and HBO Max.

The newest installment in the HBO “Music Box” documentary series, Wizkid: Long Live Lagos chronicles the story of Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Wizkid as he prepares for a concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The documentary tracks his rise from humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria, to becoming the most commercially successful African musician in music history. The documentary blends interviews, live performances and commentary from Nigerian stars such as Femi Kuti.

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos is directed by Karam Gill (“Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby) and is part of the Music Box documentary series created by Bill Simmons. The film debuted on June 2025 at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

Holiday Romance ‘Jingle Bell Wedding’ to Debut Dec. 5 on Roku Channel

The Roku Original movie Jingle Bell Wedding will debut Dec. 5 on the Roku Channel.

In this sequel to Jingle Bell Love, Jack, his daughter Grace, and fiancée Jessica are planning a special holiday in Lakeside that will include their New Year’s Eve wedding. But a once-in-a lifetime career opportunity pops up and threatens to scuttle their holiday plans.

Directed by Ann De Lean (Jingle Bell Love, The Christmas Checklist), Jingle Bell Wedding stars Joey McIntyre (New Kids on the Block) as Jack and Michelle Morgan (“Heartland”) as Jessica. 

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

Dystopian Thriller ‘Anniversary’ Debuts Digitally Nov. 21

The dystopian thriller Anniversary will debut Nov. 21 for digital sale and rental from Lionsgate and Fifth Season.

Directed by Jan Komasa (Good Boy, The Hater), Anniversary stars Diane Lane (Man of Steel, Under the Tuscan Sun) as progressive law professor Ellen Taylor, who is celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary. Problems arise when her son and his new girlfriend Liz attend the party and begin promoting a radical political movement called “The Change,” which is headed by one of Ellen’s former students. “The Change” soon becomes a major social movement that begins tearing Ellen’s family apart.

Anniversary also stars Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Manchester by the Sea), Madeline Brewer (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Phoebe Dynevor (“Bridgerton,” Fair Play), Dylan O’Brien (Twinless, The Mazerunner) and Zoey Deutch (Juror #2).

Anniversary debuted Oct. 29 in a limited theatrical release and generated more than $600,000 at the box office.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

 

Production Starts on Season 2 of HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’

HBO has announced the start of production on an eight-episode second season of its original drama series “Dune: Prophecy.” Filming is taking place in Hungary, Jordan,\ and Spain.

Based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, which was a prequel to Frank Herbert’s original novel Dune, “Dune: Prophecy” takes place 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides and follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind. In the process, they establish the fabled order that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.

Joining the cast for season two of “Dune: Prophecy” are Indira Varma (“The Night Manager,” Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning), Ashley Walters (“Adolescence”) and Tom Hollander (“The White Lotus,” “The Night Manager”). Returning cast members include Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason and Tessa Bonham Jones.

Season one of “Dune: Prophecy” aired on HBO in November and December of 2024 and received four Emmy nominations. Season two is expected to debut in late 2026. The series streams on HBO Max.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

Christmas Comedy ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ to Premiere Dec. 3 on Prime Video

The Prime Video original Christmas movie Oh. What. Fun. will premiere on Dec. 3 on the streaming service.

Starring Michelle Pfeiffer (White Oleander, French Exit) and Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Oh. What. Fun. tells the story of mom Claire Clauster (Pfeiffer), whose efforts to make Christmas special for her family each year go unnoticed until she goes missing, setting off a chaotic search by her family.

Directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, The Eyes of Tammy Faye), the Christmas comedy also stars Chloe Grace Moretz (“The Peripheral”), Denis Leary  (“Rescue Me”), Jason Schwartzman (The Grand Budapest Hotel), and Joan Chen (Hero).  Oh. What. Fun. also features an original song, “Shake the Snow Globe,” by Gwen Stefani (No Doubt).

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

 

Disney+ Unveils Trailer for ‘Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol,’ Debuting Nov. 28

Disney+ has released the key art and trailer for Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol, the newest edition in the series of Disney animated holiday specials, debuting on the service Nov. 28.

The latest “Prep & Landing” special will once again follow the adventures of Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne, who are part of an elite team of elves tasked with preparing homes for Santa’s arrival. Despite their best intentions, Lanny and Wayne always manage to turn Christmas Eve into a series of misadventures.

The special will debut on Disney+ the day after it premieres on the Disney Channel on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27.

The returning cast includes Dave Foley as Wayne, Sarah Chalke as Magee, and Derek Richardson as Lanny. Joining the cast are Manny Jacinto as Renato, Dulcé Sloan as Janice, Danny Pudi as Chef Geoff and Christopher Swindle as Santa.

Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol is produced by Disney Television Animation.

The series debuted in 2009 with Prep & Landing and was followed by Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa in 2010 and Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice in 2011. All are available to stream on Disney+.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

“Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol” (Disney image)

From Around the Web