Considering the audience learns both identities before the end of the second episode, this intense introductory scene isn’t meant to tease a mystery. “Beartown” is a blunt story, stocked with direct lessons. Still, it’s patient about revealing its thesis, and the life-or-death stakes set up from the get-go help to prepare the audience for when normal life in a small Swedish town turns very, very ugly. For a while, it may seem like “Beartown” will be little more than a clichéd sports story, but those typically don’t involve impromptu executions....

Byrne, who co-starred with Ledger in 1999’s “Two Hands,” told The Independent that Ledger was “instrumental” in jumpstarting her career stateside. “It was a whole mix of us: actors who got work, actors who didn’t,” Byrne said. “Being Australian, you’re outsiders, aliens, so you’ve got to band together. Heath was a real champion of that. He left early and started to get work here. He was so instrumental in helping me and a lot of people get work, and get into rooms....

Meanwhile, on Friday Vertical Entertainment dropped an action film, “The Informer,” which stars Joel Kinnaman as an ex-con who returns to prison undercover to expose a Polish drug cartel. Shot in 2017 and released in most of the world in 2019, this title from the director of “Escobar: Paradise Lost” is unlikely to show up on anyone’s awards-season list. However, even at $19.99 to rent, it topped two major VOD charts this weekend....

The former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State leads “Gutsy,” an eight-part AppleTV+ docuseries based on the Clintons’ New York Times bestselling book “The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience.” The series premieres September 9. Throughout “Gutsy,” the Clintons’ personal heroes ranging from Kim Kardashian, Mariska Hargitay, Megan Thee Stallion, Amy Schumer, and Gloria Steinem are interviewed, plus fellow mother-daughter duo Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson....

It comes as the international union and local branches are working to coalesce editors, camera operators, grips, and others around a “yes” vote, seizing a moment where conversations about workers’ rights and wealth inequality have grown louder over the last year. IATSE leaders on Monday told members that a sustained impasse in contract negotiations between IATSE and studios prompted the union to move forward with a strike authorization vote. At issue are wages that hover just above California’s $14 minimum for the lowest-paid crafts, workdays that often exceed 12 hours, overnight turnaround time as short as nine hours, employers who skimp on meal breaks, and workers paid lower wages for “new media” projects (aka streaming) versus theatrical movies and network TV series....

Last month, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing picked up the film as part of its growing selection of films focused on films by people of color and women. ARRAY’s president Tilane Jones explained the documentary’s obvious appeal in an official statement: “‘In Our Mothers’ Gardens’ is a beautiful tribute to the complex relationships between Black women connected by lineage and love. Released in celebration of Mother’s Day, we are honored to present Ms....

The first look at “Indiana Jones 5” debuted at the 2022 “Star Wars” Celebration in Anaheim, Calif., and fans and critics alike are already praising the film’s epic adventure as previewed, with Harrison Ford donning his classic wide-brimmed hat and whip for one final time. Ford introduced the first look as John Williams’ iconic theme song was performed onstage. “That music follows me everywhere,” Ford joked during the convention. “It was playing in the operating room when I had my colonoscopy....