Gauntlet 2.4 - Memorial

Gauntlet : Training Camp
Genre : Sports / Drama
Showrunner: Antoine Fuqua
Writer : Matt Parker

Cast: William Fichtner, Josh Duhamel, Trevor Jackson, Eric Roberts, Jessie Buckley, Saffron Burrows and Kat Graham

Plot:On the final weekend before the season starts, Coach Ken Heath (William Fichtner) finds himself sitting at a memorial service for former player, Lincoln Tatum. Memphis Pharaohs owner Leonard Palmer (Eric Roberts) speaks before the congregation of mourners about what a special person Tatum was. Longtime former teammate, Tim Collins (Josh Duhamel), is also in attendance. Collins, bored of Palmer's words begins to scan the crowd. His eyes finally settle on his ex-girlfriend, Memphis Mayor Sharon Matthews (Saffron Burrows). She catches him looking at her. Collins gives her a nod and turns his attention back toward Palmer, who is now wiping away his tears as he continues to eulogize Tatum. Palmer finally announces that he is done speaking and invites Coach Heath to come up to the podium to speak. Heath tries to turn down the opportunity, but Palmer cajoles him into coming up. Heath keeps it short. He tells everyone that he enjoyed every day coaching Tatum and that he'll miss him, and then leaves the podium.

As he is leaving the service, Coach Heath is bombarded by reporters wanting to know if he's made up his mind on who will start at quarterback in the season opener. Heath calmly explains that it is neither the time nor the place for such a conversation. One of the reporters continues hounding Heath for information, even following him through the parking lot to his car. Heath starts yelling at the reporter and shoves him out of his way so he can get into his car.

The next morning, Coach Heath wakes up to find out people are calling for him to be fired after he supposedly assaulted an innocent reporter. When he arrives at the team facility, Palmer is waiting for him in his office. Palmer comments that Heath needs to address the media following the incident at Tatum's memorial. They need to do damage control before it spirals out of control.

Jefferson Thomas (Trevor Jackson) attends a yoga class with his girlfriend Gwendolyn (Jessie Buckley). After the class, Thomas autographs some of the other students' yoga mats. When they leave the building, Thomas runs into ex-fling Nikki (Kat Graham), who is visibly pregnant. Thomas is stunned speechless by the sight of Nikki, especially since she is pregnant. He asks her flat out if the baby is his, but she is not interested in talking to him. Gwendolyn asks Thomas what all that was about, but Thomas tells her that he isn't quite sure. She was someone he used to fool around with when he was partying, but he doesn't think the baby would be his.

Coach Heath holds a press conference in front of the team facility. He looks into the camera and apologizes for losing his temper with a member of the press, but he was not happy with the time and place of the reporter's questions. He is about to walk away from the cameras, but then he turns around and faces them again. He tells them he stands by his actions. A friend's memorial is no place for questions about the team's quarterback situation, and that the reporter got what he deserved. A few members of the media present clap for Heath's response. Heath then tells them that he is leaning toward starting the rookie Alex Wright. Heath then walks to his car and drives away.

Tim Collins, who was watching the press conference while working out, turns off his television. He drives to Sharon's house and knocks on the front door. Sharon answers and asks him what he's doing there. He tells her that he is no longer the starting quarterback of the Memphis Pharaohs. She opens the door further, and Collins walks inside the house. 

Call My Agent 2.3 - Refusal

Call My Agent : Refusal

Genre : Comedy / Drama / Satire

Showrunner: Jason Reitman

Writer : Dominic Wilkins

Cast: Lesley Manville, Caroline Dhavernas, Rainn Wilson, Brian d'Arcy James, Bill Nighy, William Forsythe, Michelle Yeoh, Chris Colfer and Hale Berry

Plot: Andrea (Caroline Dhavernas) and Wilson (Brian d’Arcy James) can’t wrap their head around what their friend and colleague Bob (Rainn Wilson) did. He just gave a nice, hefty check to the agency that will keep it afloat for at least three months, according to Wilson. They ask where he found that kind of money, but Rainn says it doesn’t matter. Wilson refuses it, because he doesn’t want Bob to take money from his kids’ college fund, but Bob, along with Andrea, reveal to Wilson he never had kids to begin with. Wilson is shocked, but not only because the man he thought he knew lied to him, but also, he just saw the high and mighty Miranda Jones (Lesley Manville) come out of a beat-up, rusty Pontiac. Miranda enters and Bob, who doesn’t know about the devastating article about her, asks her what happened to the Rolls Royce and she says François was fired for what he did to her and she’s heartbroken, so now she needs a little alone time. Wilson says she should be happy, Bob just saved the agency, but she doesn’t care, since everyone seems to think she’s too incompetent to run it. She needs some alone time for now, so they leave her alone, as the opening credits roll.

Mark (Bill Nighy), still bragging about handing out another exaggerated loan, enters a chic restaurant to have dinner with someone. He sits in the booth and is greeted by Russian mob leader Boris Shelkovina (William Forsythe). Mark accepted the offer to eat together thinking it was a cordial invitation, but Boris meant business and he’s not going let him do his thing. He tells Mark he stepped in his territory when he gave a loan to Bob Hollis for the Jones agency and Mark says he doesn’t understand because he handfed the Jones Agency for a couple of years and Boris says he let it slide at first because it wasn’t his territory yet, but now that it’s his turf, Mark needs to be warned. Mark sanitizes his hand before he starts eating, but Boris says that if he thought it really was an invitation to eat, then he must be delusional. Boris grabs his steak knife and we see the two men’s shadows, with Boris stabbing Mark’s right hand as Mark screams in agony.

The night has come and Miranda is looking for a place to stay since François took over possession of her house and she can’t even think about seeing him again. She asks around about a chic hotel she could go to, but Andrea refuses, she could sleep on one of their couches. Wilson offers his place and looks at him all judgemental and she says it must be sad living with him, he doesn’t dress with colors and she imagines his house as all grey and black with no life to it. Wilson doesn’t argue much, because she’s right. She doesn’t even consider Wilson’s offer and it leaves her no choice but to go to Andrea’s. They drive over there and as soon as Miranda opens the door, she sees Andrea’s two kids (she didn’t know they existed), then she makes a face of disgust and she grabs the keys to Andrea’s car and leaves. She locks herself inside the car and thinks about how a woman like her can’t live out of a hotel and then, she thinks about someone else. She drives across town and she knocks on a door. Desmond (Chris Colfer), an employee of the agency who works on set, answers. She tells him she sleeps on his bed tonight and he can take the couch, or else, he’s fired, but of course, he can join her if he wants, she needs a rebound anyway.

The next morning, with their recently cashed-in money, the agency is ready to come back in the game and to make people forget all about the controversy. Wilson, Andrea and Bob are unanimous, they need to strike a big deal and when you say a big deal with a payday in Hollywood these days, you need to think about one thing and one thing only: superhero movies. Andrea says she knows the right actress to call to cast her in a role in the biggest movie of the year.

The scene cuts to Halle Berry (Halle Berry) telling them she won’t do it, no matter what they tell her. She reminds Andrea she nearly ruined her career when she casted her in Catwoman and she thought it was a wonderful idea. Bob reminds her she seemed rather happy to except her Razzie for it and we cut to a clip where we see Halle Berry ironically accepting her Razzie for Catwoman. Berry says she may have been a good sport back then, but they don’t seem to remember the lean years following that “win”. Wilson comes in and doesn’t notice Halle Berry and he says the next contract is really important, because, according to his projections, it could allow them to stay in business for two more weeks. Halle just finds out she’s been used by them so they can stay open and she’s not comfortable with the idea of being the one who saved a controversial agency and she promised to herself she would never do business with Andrea again. Andrea is frustrated because she doesn’t feel like she mismanaged Halle Berry’s career and feels like she’s venting about it now just because she doesn’t want to help them. Berry is as furious as ever, claiming Andrea’s contracts have never been anything but good. Catwoman, Movie 43 and Kidnap, not really strong parts that make you look good. Berry gathers her things and leaves and right before she leaves, Bob checks his breath to make sure it doesn’t stink and tells Andrea to hold on, he’s going to seduce her the Bob Hollis way. He walks across the office with confidence and he flatters her, saying she’s a good actress and all, so she should reconsider. Halle Berry thanks him, but she says it’s not about that. She leaves by saying she’ll think about it, at least, but to not get their hopes up. Bob turns around and counts it as a victory and a proof that the Bob Hollis charm doesn’t go away. Andrea rolls her eyes, but admits they can count it as a miniscule victory. Wilson comes out of Andrea's office and with a catsuit on. They are disgusted at the view and he claims Miranda bought the original Halle Berry Catwoman costume for a charity event and he wanted to show her. They say that she's gone and Wilson is so sad that he licks his hand with petty eyes, just like a cat would do as Andrea and Bob keep begging him to get out of their sight.

Miranda gets out of the make-up chair and is guided by an employee to a television set where she meets with Melissa Hao (Michelle Yeoh), the woman who dragged her through the mud and she refuses to shake her hands. She just wants to get this over with.

Hitman 2.3 - From Russia with Love

Hitman: From Russia with Love

Genre: Action

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writer: Dwight Gallo

Based on the video game series

Cast: Ed Skrein, Charlotte Riley, Will Arnett, Vladimir Mashkov, Grigory Dobrygin and Vladimir Kulich

Plot: As soon as he gets off the plane in St. Petersberg, Russia, Agent 47 (Ed Skrein) receives a call from his handler Diana Burnwood (Charlotte Riley). She apologizes for 47's lack of luck at the mansion. She says it's hard to tell where Father Vittorio was taken after the mansion and they lost track of him at the airport. The Agency believes they have fulfilled their side of the deal and expect 47 to complete a minor assignment in St. Petersberg. She goes on to tell 47 that his mission is to take out an ex-KGB general in a secret meeting. 47 asks who the general will be meeting with, but Diana says that nobody knows exactly.

Agent 47 arrives outside of the meeting at the Kirov Park where he observes two Generals, General Makarov (Vladimir Mashkov) and General Bardachenko (Vladimir Kulich), and an unknown third man (Grigory Dobrygin) sitting talking along a path. Agent 47 calls Diana to confirm which of the two generals he is supposed to kill. He sends her a picture of the three men to help clarify the matter. She isn't sure which of them is the target at first. The meeting begins to end and 47 tells Diana to hurry up and point out the target.

The meeting ends and the three men all head their separate ways. Diana finally tells him to kill General Makarov, but tells him to do it while the General is alone as the third man is a mafia figure, Igor Kobasko. Agent 47 follows Makarov away from the meeting and stabs him in the throat from behind. Suddenly, 47 is attacked by Kobasko. Agent 47 struggles with the sneak attack, but manages to overpower Kobaska and begins beating him to a pulp.

Agent 47 calls Diana to tell him its done, but she gives him bad news. The client wants General Bardachenko killed as well, and that the contract will not be considered fulfilled until he is. Agent 47 is livid. Diana tells him that they have information that Bardachenko is interrogating people in the basement of the military facilities just off Nevsky Prospekt. 47 will be able to find and eliminate the target there.

Agent 47 makes his way into the military facility in disguise as a Russian soldier. 47 makes his way through the multi-level maze of corridors of the Soviet era facility. He comes across the sound of someone being beaten behind a door. He knocks on the door and asks for the general. Bardachenko answers the door and Agent 47 immediately shoots him in the head with a silenced pistol. Bardachenko's body hits the ground. A voice from inside begs 47 not to kill him. Agent 47 enters the room and finds a beaten and bloodied Agent Carlton Smith (Will Arnett) tied to a chair. Agent Smith expresses relief at the sight of Agent 47, who rolls his eyes and releases Agent Smith from his ties. Agent 47 asks Smith if he's ever considered not getting captured by the bad guys. Agent Smith doesn't have an answer. Agent 47 starts walking away and calls Diana.

Rubber City Rockers 1.3 - Part 3

Rubber City Rockers - Part 3

Genre: Comedy

Director: David Wain

Writer: D.R. Cobb

Based on the graphic novel Punk Rock and Trailer Parks by John "Derk" Backderf

Cast: Ross Lynch, Charlie Tahan, Logan Miller, Justin Long, Saxon Sharbino, Martin Starr, Jay Baruchel and Michael Cera

Plot: Plot: Monday at school, Otto (Ross Lynch) and Wes (Logan Miller) sit in the cafeteria telling Pete (Charlie Tahan) about seeing Teri naked the other night. He doesn't believe the story that Otto tells him until Wes confirms that the entire story is true. Pete then notices Lisa Zolka (Saxon Sharbino) walking by. He says hi to her, but she walks right by. Wes marvels how she doesn't even appear to her Pete when he talks to her. Otto asks if Pete fancies one of the local pubescent trollops. Confused, Pete asks if Otto is asking his own bizarre way if he has the hots for Lisa Zolka, and if so, the answer would be yes. Pete says it doesn't matter though since Lisa doesn't even know his name. Otto tells Pete to let The Baron work on that. He will concoct a way to get Lisa to notice him. Pete shrugs and tells Otto to go ahead and scheme away. Wes nervously asks if any of them know if Lisa has a heavily armed sibling. Otto says that a little gunplay was a small toll to pay for the wonders they saw. Otto then asks Wes and Pete when they are going to The Bank again. Wes says the Ramones are playing on Saturday. Otto says he has heard rumors of them and is intrigued.

Saturday night at The Bank, Otto is in the heart of the moshpit as Joey Ramone (Justin Long) belts out the chorus of "Blitzkrieg Bop". Otto takes a boot to the sideof the head, but just keeps on rocking out. Johnny Ramone (Martin Starr) wails away on his guitar, while Dee Dee Ramone (Michael Cera) plugs away at his bass and Marky Ramone (Jay Baruchel) pounds on his drumkit.

After the show, Wes and Pete leave The Bank talking about how awesome the concert was. They then notice that Otto hasn't made it out of the venue yet. Wes says the last time he saw Otto was when he was upfront during the encore. Suddenly a man bumps into Wes. Wes apologizes to the man, who promptly turns around and punches Wes square in the face. The man and his friend tell Wes and Pete they should listen to some better bands, like Bad Company. Otto suddenly emerges from the shadows and beats the man to a pulp. First with a punch to the jaw, then a kick to the groin. The man throws a punch at Otto, who catches it with his hand, and throws the man into a fence with a crash. The man and his friend hustle away from Otto with a whimper. Pete is stunned that Otto kicked the guy's ass so easily as if he has super strength. Wes proclaims that Otto really is The Baron.

As the boys start walking back to Otto's car, they here a voice call out to them. They turn around and find themselves face to the face with THE Ramones. Johnny asks them if there is anyplace to get some decent food. Marky comments that it looks like the whole town is boarded up. Wes and Pete are too stunned to speak, but Otto excitedly asks the band if they like a good burger.

The Ramones' tour bus sits parked outside the Sky-Way Drive-In Diner. On board, the boys eat burgers with the band. Joey thanks Otto for the tip as the burgers are good. Otto tells them he felt they deserved the best in town. Joey asks the boys how they liked the show. Pete and Wes are about to answer when Otto jumps to his feet calling the show revelatory. He tells them that he was unfamiliar with the band's repetoire going in since Wes was the big fan, but Otto says he had an epiphany during the middle of "Rockaway Beach". There was a moment where Joey paused his singing and hocked a giant loogie into the crowd. It seemed to defy the laws of gravity as it floated and danced, a shimmering undulating giant gobble of spittle. Time stopped as it hung in mid-air. When that spit hit the ground, Otto says that all of his inhibitions vanished. He thanks the band fr giving him that feeling and proceeds to shake the hands of each of them. The Ramones' tour bus drops the boys off back where they parked Otto's car. Otto bids the band farewell as the bus quickly speeds away.

Otto and Pete hide behind some hedges in front of Lisa Zolka's house. They're completely naked. Pete asks Otto why they're doing this exactly. Otto tells Pete that it's about his confidence. He won't feel invisible around Lisa anymore knowing that she's seen him naked. They each put on a paper bag with eye holes cut out and run up to the door. Otto tells Pete to run if her dad answers as he rings the door bell. Lisa answers the door and gasps. Just then, Otto pulls the bag off of Pete's head and runs away. Lisa looks at Pete and asks if his name is Peter. Pete runs after Otto, cursing him, and chasing him down the street. Otto yells that at least Lisa will always remember Pete's name now. As the chase continues, Otto wonders aloud where the bush they stashed their clothes is.