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“Saturday Night,” “Terrifier” 3, streaming “Disclaimer”

“Saturday Night,” “Terrifier” 3, streaming “Disclaimer”

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OK, so this didn't have the same energy and swagger as the typical “Saturday Night Live” opening. But luckily, the new comedy “Saturday Night,” which centers around the 90 wild minutes before the premiere of “SNL” on NBC, offers all the visual chaos you could want. That's the top of this week's red-hot viewing recommendations, plus the outstanding Cate Blanchett mystery drama “Disclaimer” coming to streaming and, if you can stomach it, the return of the “Terrifier” series. With the spooky season upon us, I'm determined to bring a little horror into everyone's lives. (You're welcome.)

Now for the good stuff:

Watch the messy origins of “SNL” in the new comedy “Saturday Night.”

The early years of “SNL” are my favorite for a few reasons: As a kid in the '80s, I stayed up late to watch Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Julia-Louis Dreyfus and that generation of performers. At the same time, I watched the original -“SNL” stars like Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and John Belushi hit the big screen after graduating from Hollywood. “Saturday Night,” starring Gabriel LaBelle as a young Lorne Michaels trying to stop the first series from turning into a garbage fire in 1975, hit a nice nostalgic note for me while channeling the manic energy that was so defining of the original “SNL.” pleasant. (Check out my ★★★½ star review.)

My buddy Marco della Cava spoke with director Jason Reitman and his cast about the making of Saturday Night, including one particular rule: “Jason said we should stay away from the real people,” says LaBelle. (Spoiler alert: It was broken by a few people.)

Stream Cate Blanchett's 'Disclaimer', aka 'the best show of the year'

Director Alfonso Cuarón has won a few Oscars, and now he's obviously aiming for an Emmy with the excellent “Disclaimer,” streaming on Apple TV+. In the mystery drama, Cate Blanchett plays a renowned British journalist who receives a book that reveals a dark secret from her past, and Kevin Kline plays a grieving widower and father who is doggedly determined to burn down her entire world around her. Pro tip for the binge lovers out there: The first two episodes (of seven) are live now, but make sure you stick around weekly. (Thank me later.)

TV critic Kelly Lawler was enthusiastic, calling the thriller “the best show of the year” in her ★★★★ star rating. It's “as dark and depressing as a story can be, and it will blow you away with the sheer power of its brilliance.” She also recently updated her overall list of 2024 favorites, including “Nobody Wants This” and “The Boys.” “.

See Art the Clown in all his malevolent glory in the bloody horror film “Terrifier 3”

I was exposed to horror during the golden age of slasher villains and even had the opportunity to interview a few over the years, including Robert Englund (aka Freddy Krueger) and Nick Castle (the original Michael Myers). That's why I really wanted to chat with David Howard Thornton, who plays the quietly and cheerfully violent Art the Clown in the “Terrifier” films. We had the opportunity to learn about the new “Terrifier 3,” and the Alabama native discussed the influences behind his brilliant silent film performance as Art and how losing his mother to cancer changed his career: “Life's too short, not to do it Do what you really want to do. That was my last conversation with my mother.”

“Terrifier” is notorious for its really badass murder scenes, so it’s definitely not for everyone. Maybe try something a little less gory from my new Halloween TV roundup, with less weird fare like a “Gremlins” animated series or the “Family Guy Halloween Special” (featuring Glen Powell as a guest star).

Even more delicious things to try!

  • Pharrell Williams becomes a Lego minifigure for his new animated biopic “Piece By Piece,” an experience he describes as “therapeutic.”
  • Florence Pugh calls 'Babe' one of her best tearjerkers as she chats to Andrew Garfield about her new love story 'We Live in Time'.
  • Reba McEntire reveals she teamed up with her friend Carole King for the theme song to the country icon's new sitcom Happy's Place.
  • Do you still feel the need for “speed”? Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock reunited 30 years later to reminisce about runaway buses and their action movie.
  • “Big Little Lies” is coming back! Reese Witherspoon says the stars are just “waiting” for new material from author Liane Moriarty.

Do you have any thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even a few recommendations for me? Email me at [email protected] and follow me on social media: I'm @briantruitt on Twitter (I don't call it X!), Instagram and Threads.

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