by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Support Leroy on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
MOVIES - From Variety: AMC Theatres will require patrons to wear masks when it reopens its theaters after initially not requiring them.
GEORGE FLOYD - From YahooNews: New Mexico Shooting Raises Specter Of Right-Wing Violence Around Statue Protests
BLM - From YahooLifestyle: Support grows for making "Juneteenth" (June 19th) an official holiday.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Mark Wahlberg's canine adventure film, "Arthur the King," movies to Lionsgate. The film reunited Wahlberg with is "2 Guns" and "Contraband" director, Baltasar Kormakur.
BLM-HOLLYWOOD - From BET: Actress Gabrielle Union talks her "America's Got Talent" departure and on holding "bad apples" accountable.
GEORGE FLOYD - From YahooNews360: Why was George Floyd's death the breaking point?
POLITICS - From YahooNews: Five bombshells about President Trump from John Bolton's book, "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir."
MOVIES - From Deadline: Actress Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in director Pablo Larrain's film, "Spencer."
BLM-EDUCATION - From YahooNews: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, are donating $120 million toward student scholarships at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The couple is giving $40 million to each of three institutions: the United Negro College Fund, Spelman College and Morehouse College. The organizations said it is the largest individual gift in support of student scholarships at HBCUs.
GEORGE FLOYD - From CNN: Martin Gugino, the 75-year-old protester who was pushed by two Buffalo, New York, police officers earlier this month, has a fractured skull and is not able to walk, his lawyer said in a statement provided to CNN on Monday.
From YahooEntertainment: Whoopi Goldberg says police officers have to 'relearn how to police': 'Because now they're soldiers — and we're not in a war'
SPORTS - From YahooSports: Here is a look at Super Bowl champion QB Tom Brady in his new uniform for his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
POLITICS - From InformedComment: How American cities were Reduced to Esper’s “Battlespace”: From Fallujah to Minneapolis
OSCARS - From Deadline: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced that the 2021 / 93rd Academy Awards ceremony has been moved from February 28, 2021 to April 25, 2021 - the latest date ever for the Oscars. Films will be eligible to compete for the 93rd Academy Awards though Feb. 28th.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Director Antonie Fuqua and actor Will Smith's runaway slave thriller, "Emancipation," will be introduced at the virtual Cannes market and will begin production in early 2021.
LGBTQ - For BuzzFeed: The Supreme Court on Monday issued its most sweeping decision ever to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination, finding that a federal ban on sex discrimination in workplaces also protects employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
POLITICS-CELEBRITY - From FoxNews: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) challenges actor Ron Perlman... to wrestle with former wrestling coach and protector of sexual assailants, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
GEORGE FLOYD - From People: Legendary singer, actress, and filmmaker, Barbra Streisand, has given Gianna Floyd, the daughter of the police-slain George Floyd, an unknown numbers of shares of stock in The Walt Disney Company.
MOVIES - From Deadline: After his "Gone with the Wind" op-ed, Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley ponders permanent Hollywood change.
BLM - From Deadline: "Saturday Night Live" alum, Jay Pharoah, was profiled by the Los Angeles Police Department and then one of them put his knee on his neck.
OBITS:
From Deadline: The British actor, Ian Holm, has died at the age of 88, Friday, June 19, 2020. Holms was best known for his appearances in such films as "Alien," "Chariots of Fire," "The Sweet Hereafter," and "The Fifth Element." He also appeared in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film series. Holm won a Tony Award in 1967 for his performance in "The Homecoming." He received a best supporting Oscar nomination for his role in "Chariots of Fire" (1981), a role for which he won the BAFTA.
From CNN: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland (1993-98), Jean Kennedy Smith, has died at the age of 92, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. She was also the last surviving sibling of assassinated U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
---------------------------------------------------
BLACK LIVES MATTER News:
From YahooFinance: Why Black wealth has stayed 'relatively flat' since Tulsa massacre
From InTheseTimes: The four questions we must ask before we agree to police reform.
----------------------------------------------------
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 NEWS:
From CDC: The Centers for Disease Control has a "COVID Data Tracker."
From YahooNews: Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?
From YahooNews: Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.
From Deadline: The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.
From TheNewYorker: The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.
From YahooNews: Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?
From YahooLife: What is "happy hypoxia?" And do you have this COVID-19 symptom?
From JuanCole: Remeber when President Donald went crazy and suggested that we ingest household cleaning supplies and UV light to fight COVID-19. Here is the video and commentary from Juan Cole.
From TheIntercept: The federal government has ramped up security and police-related spending in response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, including issuing contracts for riot gear, disclosures show. The purchase orders include requests for disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves...
From NPR: A sad milestone: over 100,000 American have died due to COVID-19.
From TheAtlantic: The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying. The pandemic has exposed the bitter terms of our racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.
From ProPublica: Hospital's Secret COVID-19 Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns
----------------
Showing posts with label Antoine Fuqua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antoine Fuqua. Show all posts
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 1st to 8th, 2020 - Update #30
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Support Leroy on Patreon:
REVIEW - From Patreon: My "Birds of Prey" review.
AWARDS - From Deadline: The winners at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced. "The Farewell" was named "Best Feature" of 2019.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Former talk show host, David Letterman, says that Quentin Tarantino once threatened to kill him.
---------
TELEVISION - From THR: The recently completed seventh season of "Ray Donovan" is the last for the series. Showtime has cancelled the crime drama, which stars Liev Schreiber.
----------
MOVIES - From IndieWire: "The Matrix 4" begins filming. This article has photos from the set, and Keanu's "Neo" seems different from the Neo of the original trilogy.
----------
DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney has signed a deal with Grammy-winning recording artist, Bruno Mars, in which Mars would produce and star in a music-driven film.
----------
TRAILER - From Variety: The first trailer for the upcoming "Saw" reboot film, "Spiral," debuts. The film, which stars Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, is due May 15, 2020.
----------
ANIMATION - From Deadline: Warner Bros. Animation commits to its first major producer deal. The signee is "Family Guy" writer-producer, Wellesley Wild.
----------
MOVIES - From Newsarama: Actor Henry Golding has posted a photo from his upcoming film, "Snake Eyes" (G.I. Joe Origins), which is due Oct. 23rd.
----------
CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Actress Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210," "Charmed") revealed that she has received a Stage 4 diagnosis after her breast cancer had been in remission.
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Tyler Perry has confirmed that he is reviving his former TBS TV series, "House of Payne" (2007-2012) for BET with the original cast. Perry also has a greenlight from BET for a new series, "Tyler Perry's Assisted Living."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Director Antoine Fuqua and actor Chris Pratt, who worked together on the remake of "The Magnificent Seven," to develop a TV series, "The Terminal List."
----------
STREAMING - From Deadline: Tyler Perry revealed that 26 million people watched the first weekend of his Netflix film, "A Fall from Grace." Netflix later confirmed the numbers for the thriller which stars Crystal Fox and Mehcad Brooks.
----------
DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney's streaming service, Disney+, apparently has 26.5 million subscribers.
----------
DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney apparently paid $75 million for the global movie rights to the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hamilton." The film is apparently due Fall 2021.
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 1/31 to 2/2/2020 weekend box office is "Bad Boys for Life" with an estimated take of 17.7 million dollars. This is the film's third straight weekend atop the box office.
From PasteMagazine: The box office for the opening weekend of the thriller, "The Rhythm Section," is an estimated 2.8 million dollars. That is the worst debut ever for a film that opens on 3,000 or more screens.
----------
TELEVISION - From YahooEntertainment: The third season of Fox's "The Masked Singer" opens with a shocker.
----------
SUPER BOWL - From YahooSports: The Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 to win Super Bowl LIV. Patrick Mahomes named the MVP of the game.
----------
BRITISH ACADEMY - From Deadline: "1917" won the "Best Film" award at the 2020 BAFTA Film Awards, one of the seven awards it won to lead the night, which included a "Best Director" for Sam Mendes. Joaquin Phoenix won the "Best Actor" award, one of three awards for "Joker."
----------
AWARDS - From Deadline: "Parasite" and "JoJo Rabbit" lead the 2020 / 72nd Writers Guild Awards.
From Deadline: "Parasite," "Once Upon a Time... in America," and "Avengers: Endgame" top the the Art Directors Guild's 2020 / 24th annual ADG Awards.
----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports: Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, is the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP). He is the second unanimous winner in NFL history, following Tom Brady's unanimous winner in 2010.
----------
DISNEY - From THR: 100 years ago, the late great Walt Disney got his first animation job.
----------
MOVIES - From Deadline: Oscar-winner Spike Lee will direct a film version of Oscar-winner David Byrne's "American Utopia" stage show.
---------
STREAMING - From Deadline: Adam Sandler re-signs with Netflix for four more films. In the first deal, Sandler starred in five films and in his first stand-up comedy special in 22 years. He also produced two films for the streamer.
OBITS:
From THR: An icon of Hollywood's "Golden Age" and giant of American cinema, Kirk Douglas, has died at the age of 103, Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Douglas appeared in numerous great films: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (1954), "Paths of Glory" (1957), and "Spartacus" (1960), to name a few. He received best actor Oscar nominations for "Champion" (1949), "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1951), and "Lust for Life" (1956). Kirk Douglas was the father of Oscar-winning actor, Michael Douglas.
From THR: The actor Robert Conrad has died at the age of 84, Saturday, February 8, 2020. Conrad was best known for the numerous television series in which he starred. His most beloved TV series may be "The Wild Wild West" (CBS, 1965-69), but others may prefer "Baa Baa Black Sheep" (NBC, 1976-78).
From THR: The actor, Orson Bean, has died at the age of 91, Friday, February 7, 2020. He made over 200 appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and appeared on many game shows from the 1960s to the 1980s. He voiced "Bilbo Baggins" in the 1977 animated film version of "The Hobbit." Many will remember Bean as the story owner, "Loren Bray," on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."
From Variety: Television writer, director, and producer, Gene Reynolds, has died at the age of 96, Monday, February 3, 2020. Reynolds co-created the "MASH" TV series (CBS, 1972-73) with Larry Gelbart, and he was one of the creators of the "Lou Grant" TV series (CBS, 1977-82). He was a six-time Emmy Award winner.
From CNN: American author and novelist, Mary Higgins Clark, has died at the age of 92, January 31, 2020. Called the "Queen of Suspense," Clark wrote over 50 books and each was a bestseller. Her 1977 novel, "A Stranger is Watching," was adapted into a 1982 film. Her 1980 novel, "The Cradle Will Fall," was the first of many of her novels that were adapted for television.
Support Leroy on Patreon:
REVIEW - From Patreon: My "Birds of Prey" review.
AWARDS - From Deadline: The winners at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced. "The Farewell" was named "Best Feature" of 2019.
----------
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Former talk show host, David Letterman, says that Quentin Tarantino once threatened to kill him.
---------
TELEVISION - From THR: The recently completed seventh season of "Ray Donovan" is the last for the series. Showtime has cancelled the crime drama, which stars Liev Schreiber.
----------
MOVIES - From IndieWire: "The Matrix 4" begins filming. This article has photos from the set, and Keanu's "Neo" seems different from the Neo of the original trilogy.
----------
DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney has signed a deal with Grammy-winning recording artist, Bruno Mars, in which Mars would produce and star in a music-driven film.
----------
TRAILER - From Variety: The first trailer for the upcoming "Saw" reboot film, "Spiral," debuts. The film, which stars Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, is due May 15, 2020.
----------
ANIMATION - From Deadline: Warner Bros. Animation commits to its first major producer deal. The signee is "Family Guy" writer-producer, Wellesley Wild.
----------
MOVIES - From Newsarama: Actor Henry Golding has posted a photo from his upcoming film, "Snake Eyes" (G.I. Joe Origins), which is due Oct. 23rd.
----------
CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Actress Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210," "Charmed") revealed that she has received a Stage 4 diagnosis after her breast cancer had been in remission.
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Tyler Perry has confirmed that he is reviving his former TBS TV series, "House of Payne" (2007-2012) for BET with the original cast. Perry also has a greenlight from BET for a new series, "Tyler Perry's Assisted Living."
----------
TELEVISION - From Variety: Director Antoine Fuqua and actor Chris Pratt, who worked together on the remake of "The Magnificent Seven," to develop a TV series, "The Terminal List."
----------
STREAMING - From Deadline: Tyler Perry revealed that 26 million people watched the first weekend of his Netflix film, "A Fall from Grace." Netflix later confirmed the numbers for the thriller which stars Crystal Fox and Mehcad Brooks.
----------
DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney's streaming service, Disney+, apparently has 26.5 million subscribers.
----------
DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney apparently paid $75 million for the global movie rights to the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hamilton." The film is apparently due Fall 2021.
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 1/31 to 2/2/2020 weekend box office is "Bad Boys for Life" with an estimated take of 17.7 million dollars. This is the film's third straight weekend atop the box office.
From PasteMagazine: The box office for the opening weekend of the thriller, "The Rhythm Section," is an estimated 2.8 million dollars. That is the worst debut ever for a film that opens on 3,000 or more screens.
----------
TELEVISION - From YahooEntertainment: The third season of Fox's "The Masked Singer" opens with a shocker.
----------
SUPER BOWL - From YahooSports: The Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 to win Super Bowl LIV. Patrick Mahomes named the MVP of the game.
----------
BRITISH ACADEMY - From Deadline: "1917" won the "Best Film" award at the 2020 BAFTA Film Awards, one of the seven awards it won to lead the night, which included a "Best Director" for Sam Mendes. Joaquin Phoenix won the "Best Actor" award, one of three awards for "Joker."
----------
AWARDS - From Deadline: "Parasite" and "JoJo Rabbit" lead the 2020 / 72nd Writers Guild Awards.
From Deadline: "Parasite," "Once Upon a Time... in America," and "Avengers: Endgame" top the the Art Directors Guild's 2020 / 24th annual ADG Awards.
----------
SPORTS - From YahooSports: Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, is the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP). He is the second unanimous winner in NFL history, following Tom Brady's unanimous winner in 2010.
----------
DISNEY - From THR: 100 years ago, the late great Walt Disney got his first animation job.
----------
MOVIES - From Deadline: Oscar-winner Spike Lee will direct a film version of Oscar-winner David Byrne's "American Utopia" stage show.
---------
STREAMING - From Deadline: Adam Sandler re-signs with Netflix for four more films. In the first deal, Sandler starred in five films and in his first stand-up comedy special in 22 years. He also produced two films for the streamer.
OBITS:
From THR: An icon of Hollywood's "Golden Age" and giant of American cinema, Kirk Douglas, has died at the age of 103, Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Douglas appeared in numerous great films: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (1954), "Paths of Glory" (1957), and "Spartacus" (1960), to name a few. He received best actor Oscar nominations for "Champion" (1949), "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1951), and "Lust for Life" (1956). Kirk Douglas was the father of Oscar-winning actor, Michael Douglas.
From THR: The actor Robert Conrad has died at the age of 84, Saturday, February 8, 2020. Conrad was best known for the numerous television series in which he starred. His most beloved TV series may be "The Wild Wild West" (CBS, 1965-69), but others may prefer "Baa Baa Black Sheep" (NBC, 1976-78).
From THR: The actor, Orson Bean, has died at the age of 91, Friday, February 7, 2020. He made over 200 appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and appeared on many game shows from the 1960s to the 1980s. He voiced "Bilbo Baggins" in the 1977 animated film version of "The Hobbit." Many will remember Bean as the story owner, "Loren Bray," on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."
From Variety: Television writer, director, and producer, Gene Reynolds, has died at the age of 96, Monday, February 3, 2020. Reynolds co-created the "MASH" TV series (CBS, 1972-73) with Larry Gelbart, and he was one of the creators of the "Lou Grant" TV series (CBS, 1977-82). He was a six-time Emmy Award winner.
From CNN: American author and novelist, Mary Higgins Clark, has died at the age of 92, January 31, 2020. Called the "Queen of Suspense," Clark wrote over 50 books and each was a bestseller. Her 1977 novel, "A Stranger is Watching," was adapted into a 1982 film. Her 1980 novel, "The Cradle Will Fall," was the first of many of her novels that were adapted for television.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 10th to 16th, 2019 - Update #19
Support Leroy on Patreon:
MOVIES - From Variety: Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" gets a November 2020 release date.
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Chris Rock wild direct comedy pilot, "Saving Kenan," the NBC is developing for Kenan Thompson.
----------
STREAMING - From TheWrap: Amazon teases its much-anticipated TV series, "The Lord of the Rings," with a map.
----------
MUSIC - From PhillyMag: Meet the lawyer who sued Led Zeppelin.
----------
AVATAR - From ScreenRant: James Cameron's "Avatar" sequels to start filming live-action sequences this spring.
----------
STAR TREK - From Newsarama: Nickelodeon is developing an animated "Star Trek" TV series for children.
----------
STREAMING - From Variety: Spike Lee's next project is a Vietnam veteran drama film for Netflix. Chadewick Boseman eyed for a lead role.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Octavia Spencer is joining Anna Hathaway in a new adaption of "The Witches" (from the Roald Dahl book) for Robert Zemeckis.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From Deadline: Millennium Film has put its "Red Sonja" film project on hold. It was to be directed by Bryan Singer, who has been hit with multiple child sex-abuse allegations over the last few years.
---------
MOVIES - From Deadline: Actor Chris Evans, director Antoine Fuqua, and super-producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and producer Mark Vahradian team for "Infinite."
---------
MOVIES - From BleedingCool: Fox Searchlight releases the first teaser trailer for "Tokien," it biopic of "Lord of the Rings" creator, J.R.R. Tolkien.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From THR: Warner Bros. has hired David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick to start writing "Aquaman 2." He co-wrote the first film.
----------
GRAMMYS - From Deadline: Here is a complete winners list. Kacey Musgraves wins "Album of the Year" for her album, "Golden Hour." Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) becomes the first rapper to win "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year" for his acclaimed song, "This is America."
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 2/8 to 2/10/2019 weekend box office is "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part" with an estimated take of $34.4 million.
----------
AWARDS - From TheWrap: The 2019 BAFTA Award winners have been announced. "Roma" wins best film and best film not in the English language as well as best director for Alfonso Cuaron (one of four trophies for Cuaron tonight). "The Favourite" was named best British film.
2019 / 72nd British Academy Awards (BAFTAs) winners list:
BEST FILM
“Roma” *WINNER
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
“The Favourite” *WINNER
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
“Beast,” Michael Pearce (Writer/Director), Lauren Dark (Producer) *WINNER
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
“Roma” *WINNER
DOCUMENTARY
“Free Solo” *WINNER
ANIMATED FILM
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” *WINNER
DIRECTOR
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón *WINNER
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“The Favourite,” Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara *WINNER
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“BlacKkKlansman,” Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel, Kevin Willmott *WINNER
LEADING ACTRESS
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite” *WINNER
LEADING ACTOR
Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite” *WINNER
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali, “Green Book” *WINNER
ORIGINAL MUSIC
“A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Lukas Nelson *WINNER
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón *WINNER
EDITING
“Vice” *WINNER
PRODUCTION DESIGN
“The Favourite” *WINNER
COSTUME DESIGN
“The Favourite” *WINNER
MAKE UP & HAIR
“The Favourite” *WINNER
SOUND
“Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
“Black Panther” *WINNER
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
“Roughhouse” *WINNER
BRITISH SHORT FILM
“73 Cows” *WINNER
EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
Letitia Wright *WINNER
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley
-------------------------------------------------------
GRAMMYS - From CNN: Top nominees Kendrick Lamar and Drake and also Childish Gambino decline invitations to perform at tonight's 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
----------
STREAMING - From DreadCentral: Shudder begins production on a "Creepshow" TV series with "The Walking Dead's" Greg Nicotero.
---------
TELEVISION - From Variety: AMC has announced the cancellations of its TV series, "Into the Badlands" and "The Son."
----------
COMICS-FILM - From HeyUGuys: The third film in the "Kingsman," series will be a prequel, "Kingsman: The Great Game." Aaron Taylor-Johnson ("Kick-Ass) and Gemma Arterton ("Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time") are joining the film.
OBIT:
From TheWrap: Former President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Ron W. Miller, has died at the age of 85, Saturday, February 9, 2019. Miller was president from 1978 to 1983 and was CEO in from 1983 to 1984. Miller was married to Walt Disney's daughter, the late Diane Marie Disney, with whom he had seven children. Miller also served in the U.S. Army and played one season in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams.
MOVIES - From Variety: Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" gets a November 2020 release date.
----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Chris Rock wild direct comedy pilot, "Saving Kenan," the NBC is developing for Kenan Thompson.
----------
STREAMING - From TheWrap: Amazon teases its much-anticipated TV series, "The Lord of the Rings," with a map.
----------
MUSIC - From PhillyMag: Meet the lawyer who sued Led Zeppelin.
----------
AVATAR - From ScreenRant: James Cameron's "Avatar" sequels to start filming live-action sequences this spring.
----------
STAR TREK - From Newsarama: Nickelodeon is developing an animated "Star Trek" TV series for children.
----------
STREAMING - From Variety: Spike Lee's next project is a Vietnam veteran drama film for Netflix. Chadewick Boseman eyed for a lead role.
----------
MOVIES - From Variety: Octavia Spencer is joining Anna Hathaway in a new adaption of "The Witches" (from the Roald Dahl book) for Robert Zemeckis.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From Deadline: Millennium Film has put its "Red Sonja" film project on hold. It was to be directed by Bryan Singer, who has been hit with multiple child sex-abuse allegations over the last few years.
---------
MOVIES - From Deadline: Actor Chris Evans, director Antoine Fuqua, and super-producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and producer Mark Vahradian team for "Infinite."
---------
MOVIES - From BleedingCool: Fox Searchlight releases the first teaser trailer for "Tokien," it biopic of "Lord of the Rings" creator, J.R.R. Tolkien.
----------
COMICS-FILM - From THR: Warner Bros. has hired David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick to start writing "Aquaman 2." He co-wrote the first film.
----------
GRAMMYS - From Deadline: Here is a complete winners list. Kacey Musgraves wins "Album of the Year" for her album, "Golden Hour." Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) becomes the first rapper to win "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year" for his acclaimed song, "This is America."
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 2/8 to 2/10/2019 weekend box office is "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part" with an estimated take of $34.4 million.
----------
AWARDS - From TheWrap: The 2019 BAFTA Award winners have been announced. "Roma" wins best film and best film not in the English language as well as best director for Alfonso Cuaron (one of four trophies for Cuaron tonight). "The Favourite" was named best British film.
2019 / 72nd British Academy Awards (BAFTAs) winners list:
BEST FILM
“Roma” *WINNER
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
“The Favourite” *WINNER
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
“Beast,” Michael Pearce (Writer/Director), Lauren Dark (Producer) *WINNER
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
“Roma” *WINNER
DOCUMENTARY
“Free Solo” *WINNER
ANIMATED FILM
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” *WINNER
DIRECTOR
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón *WINNER
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“The Favourite,” Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara *WINNER
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“BlacKkKlansman,” Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel, Kevin Willmott *WINNER
LEADING ACTRESS
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite” *WINNER
LEADING ACTOR
Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite” *WINNER
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali, “Green Book” *WINNER
ORIGINAL MUSIC
“A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Lukas Nelson *WINNER
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón *WINNER
EDITING
“Vice” *WINNER
PRODUCTION DESIGN
“The Favourite” *WINNER
COSTUME DESIGN
“The Favourite” *WINNER
MAKE UP & HAIR
“The Favourite” *WINNER
SOUND
“Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
“Black Panther” *WINNER
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
“Roughhouse” *WINNER
BRITISH SHORT FILM
“73 Cows” *WINNER
EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
Letitia Wright *WINNER
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley
-------------------------------------------------------
GRAMMYS - From CNN: Top nominees Kendrick Lamar and Drake and also Childish Gambino decline invitations to perform at tonight's 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
----------
STREAMING - From DreadCentral: Shudder begins production on a "Creepshow" TV series with "The Walking Dead's" Greg Nicotero.
---------
TELEVISION - From Variety: AMC has announced the cancellations of its TV series, "Into the Badlands" and "The Son."
----------
COMICS-FILM - From HeyUGuys: The third film in the "Kingsman," series will be a prequel, "Kingsman: The Great Game." Aaron Taylor-Johnson ("Kick-Ass) and Gemma Arterton ("Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time") are joining the film.
OBIT:
From TheWrap: Former President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Ron W. Miller, has died at the age of 85, Saturday, February 9, 2019. Miller was president from 1978 to 1983 and was CEO in from 1983 to 1984. Miller was married to Walt Disney's daughter, the late Diane Marie Disney, with whom he had seven children. Miller also served in the U.S. Army and played one season in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Sony Pictures Announces "The Magnificent Seven" for Worldwide IMAX Release
The Magnificent Seven TO BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE IN IMAX® THEATRES
LOS ANGELES – IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke and directed by Antoine Fuqua, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format. The Magnificent Seven, which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures present in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures, will be released into IMAX® theatres worldwide coinciding with the film’s general release dates. The Magnificent Seven will be released domestically on September 23, 2016.
"The Magnificent Seven is not only among the most highly anticipated films of the fall, but Antoine Fuqua is delivering the visceral action that is perfect for the IMAX screen," said Rory Bruer, President of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures. "The Magnificent Seven and IMAX are a great complement to each other and will play great to audiences around the world."
"After partnering on The Equalizer, we are excited to work again with the incredibly talented director Antoine Fuqua and the whole team at Sony, as well as our friends at MGM, on this exciting new film, The Magnificent Seven," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "We believe the film’s sweeping visual style and heart-pounding action is the ideal fit for the IMAX presentation and we can’t wait for fans worldwide to enjoy the ride in IMAX."
The IMAX® release of The Magnificent Seven will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ The Magnificent Seven. With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople, led by Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua. The screenplay is by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk. The producers are Roger Birnbaum and Todd Black.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content. In addition, MGM has investments in domestic and international television channels. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2016, there were 1,066 IMAX theatres (952 commercial multiplexes, 17 commercial destinations and 97 institutions) in 68 countries. On Oct. 8, 2015, shares of IMAX China, a subsidiary of IMAX Corp., began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK.1970."
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX ® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
-------------------------
LOS ANGELES – IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke and directed by Antoine Fuqua, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format. The Magnificent Seven, which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures present in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures, will be released into IMAX® theatres worldwide coinciding with the film’s general release dates. The Magnificent Seven will be released domestically on September 23, 2016.
"The Magnificent Seven is not only among the most highly anticipated films of the fall, but Antoine Fuqua is delivering the visceral action that is perfect for the IMAX screen," said Rory Bruer, President of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures. "The Magnificent Seven and IMAX are a great complement to each other and will play great to audiences around the world."
"After partnering on The Equalizer, we are excited to work again with the incredibly talented director Antoine Fuqua and the whole team at Sony, as well as our friends at MGM, on this exciting new film, The Magnificent Seven," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "We believe the film’s sweeping visual style and heart-pounding action is the ideal fit for the IMAX presentation and we can’t wait for fans worldwide to enjoy the ride in IMAX."
The IMAX® release of The Magnificent Seven will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ The Magnificent Seven. With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople, led by Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua. The screenplay is by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk. The producers are Roger Birnbaum and Todd Black.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content. In addition, MGM has investments in domestic and international television channels. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2016, there were 1,066 IMAX theatres (952 commercial multiplexes, 17 commercial destinations and 97 institutions) in 68 countries. On Oct. 8, 2015, shares of IMAX China, a subsidiary of IMAX Corp., began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK.1970."
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX ® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
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Saturday, April 30, 2016
Music Legend, Cultural Icon - Prince is Dead at 57 - A Negromancer Link-o-Rama - Update #56
Support Leroy on Patreon.
Prince Rogers Nelson - June 7, 1958 to April 21, 2016.
From YahooNews: Unidentified officials tells the AP and Minneapolis Star Tribune that Prince died of an overdose of painkillers.
From YahooNews: Details from the 911 audio during the emergency landing of Prince's plane is released.
From NYT: Judith Hill was with Prince on the ill-fated flight in which the plane had to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois. She gives her first interview since Prince's death to the New York Times.
From YahooMusic: In the first full week after his death, Prince set records on the Billboard LP charts, even breaking a record set by the Beatles.
From YahooMusic: BET promises a proper tribute to Prince on June 26th.
From CNN: New details about Prince's death. He may have been dead for at least 6 hours before his body was found.
From YahooNews: Former Prince drummer, Kirk Johnson, who was also his best friend, is at the center of the death investigation.
From YahooMusic: Prince's "Yellow Cloud" guitar up for auction.
From YahooCelebrity: Prince's ex-wives, Manuela Testolini and Mayte Garcia, hold a star-studded memorial at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater Los Angeles.
From Heavy: Five things about Carlin Q. Willaims, the federal prisoner who claims to be Prince's son.
From YahooNews: Prince's estate has first paternity claim - a gun runner currently serving time in federal prison in Colorado.
From YahooNews: Warrant concerning Prince's death details Minnesota doctor who provided prescriptions to Prince.
From YahooMusic: Law enforcement officials want to interview Prince's California-based doctor.
From YahooNews: Judge authorizes DNA test of Prince's blood.
From YahooNews: Did a medical call for help concerning Prince get the right response ?
From Billboard: Prince's music sales soar in the wake of his death.
From RollingStone: Matt Taibbi says "Goodbye Prince, you were the best of us.
From YahooNews: Prince's half-brother, Alfred Frank Jackson speaks.
From the BostonGlobe: Prince astonished right to the end.
From YahooNews: Prince's music vault of unreleased music is opened.
From TheWrap: Nashville Sports Anchor Claims He Was Fired for On-Air Prince Tribute
From YahooMusic: The Anatomy of Prince’s Legendary 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Guitar Solo
From TheAtlantic: Prince: Gay Icon, Whether He Wanted to Be or Not
From YahooNews: Because of a lack of a will, a judge has appointed a temporary custodian to temporarily oversee Prince's business interest.
From YahooNews: A judge has sealed a search warrant in connection with Prince's death.
From TheVillageVoice: What some consider to be Prince's best movie, "Sing o' the Times," is not available commercially or legally.
From TheVillageVoice: Former Voice critic, J. Hoberman, really dug "Under the Cherry Moon."
From BuzzFlash: Van Jones beautifully describes Prince's legacy of philanthropy.
From TheDailyBeast: No one will ever compare to Prince.
From TheHollywoodReporter: Legendary Artist Prince Found Dead at 57.
From Variety: Prince found dead at 57.
From YahooMusic: Legendary musician Prince found dead.
From NYT: After Prince was cremated, a small group of his family and friends held a private funeral.
From YahooCelebrity: Sheila E. talks about plans to possibly turn Paisley Park into a museum.
From YahooMusic: There was almost an episode of "The Simpsons" with Prince.
From YahooTV: Here’s Prince's Epic 'SNL' 40th Anniversary After-Party Jam Session
From YahooMusic: Prince apparently loved this sketch about him from "Chappelle's Show."
From YahooNews: Sheena Easton, who collaborated with Prince on "U Got the Look" remembers him.
From YahooNews: Longtime Prince keyboardist, Cassandra Neal, talks about the rumored rivalry with Michael Jackson.
From YahooMusic: "Prince's Lyrics Gave Clues to His Personal Politics"
From YahooMusic: 10 times that Prince nailed it on guitar.
From YahooCelebrity: There will be an autopsy on Prince.
From TheMirror: Who were Prince’s family? Late superstar always surrounded by friends - who were his relatives?
From TheDailyMail: What's in Prince's will?
From YahooMusic: Across the United States, fans gather to celebrate the singer's life and music.
From YahooNews: Inside Prince and Mayte Garcia's Tragic Love Affair: 'They Never Recovered From the Death of Their Son,' Says His Dancer.
From Variety: Hollywood Mourns Prince: ‘A Legend Has Fallen’
From HuffingtonPost: The Top 10 Prince Songs You Need To Listen To
From HuffingtonPost: 5 Stories You Didn't Know About Prince
From YahooMusic: Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake & More React to Prince's Death
From Variety: Why Prince’s Super Bowl Performance, ‘New Girl’ Cameo Proved He Was a God
From Variety: Inside Prince’s Emotional Final Concerts Before His Death.
From THR: Prince: The Story Behind His Name(s)
From THR: 10 words from Prince's dictionary.
From THR: Director Antoine Fuqua: "Prince Was a King" (Guest Column).
From THR: One-time Prince Protege Carmen Electra on His Death: "I Will Always Love Him."
From THR: 'Purple Rain' Exec Recalls Traveling the World With Prince, Late Nights on Mulholland (Guest Column) - former Warner Bros. executive Mark Canton.
Wikipedia page: Prince. Album discography. Single discography.
Prince Rogers Nelson - June 7, 1958 to April 21, 2016.
From YahooNews: Unidentified officials tells the AP and Minneapolis Star Tribune that Prince died of an overdose of painkillers.
From YahooNews: Details from the 911 audio during the emergency landing of Prince's plane is released.
From NYT: Judith Hill was with Prince on the ill-fated flight in which the plane had to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois. She gives her first interview since Prince's death to the New York Times.
From YahooMusic: In the first full week after his death, Prince set records on the Billboard LP charts, even breaking a record set by the Beatles.
From YahooMusic: BET promises a proper tribute to Prince on June 26th.
From CNN: New details about Prince's death. He may have been dead for at least 6 hours before his body was found.
From YahooNews: Former Prince drummer, Kirk Johnson, who was also his best friend, is at the center of the death investigation.
From YahooMusic: Prince's "Yellow Cloud" guitar up for auction.
From YahooCelebrity: Prince's ex-wives, Manuela Testolini and Mayte Garcia, hold a star-studded memorial at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater Los Angeles.
From Heavy: Five things about Carlin Q. Willaims, the federal prisoner who claims to be Prince's son.
From YahooNews: Prince's estate has first paternity claim - a gun runner currently serving time in federal prison in Colorado.
From YahooNews: Warrant concerning Prince's death details Minnesota doctor who provided prescriptions to Prince.
From YahooMusic: Law enforcement officials want to interview Prince's California-based doctor.
From YahooNews: Judge authorizes DNA test of Prince's blood.
From YahooNews: Did a medical call for help concerning Prince get the right response ?
From Billboard: Prince's music sales soar in the wake of his death.
From RollingStone: Matt Taibbi says "Goodbye Prince, you were the best of us.
From YahooNews: Prince's half-brother, Alfred Frank Jackson speaks.
From the BostonGlobe: Prince astonished right to the end.
From YahooNews: Prince's music vault of unreleased music is opened.
From TheWrap: Nashville Sports Anchor Claims He Was Fired for On-Air Prince Tribute
From YahooMusic: The Anatomy of Prince’s Legendary 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Guitar Solo
From TheAtlantic: Prince: Gay Icon, Whether He Wanted to Be or Not
From YahooNews: Because of a lack of a will, a judge has appointed a temporary custodian to temporarily oversee Prince's business interest.
From YahooNews: A judge has sealed a search warrant in connection with Prince's death.
From TheVillageVoice: What some consider to be Prince's best movie, "Sing o' the Times," is not available commercially or legally.
From TheVillageVoice: Former Voice critic, J. Hoberman, really dug "Under the Cherry Moon."
From BuzzFlash: Van Jones beautifully describes Prince's legacy of philanthropy.
From TheDailyBeast: No one will ever compare to Prince.
From TheHollywoodReporter: Legendary Artist Prince Found Dead at 57.
From Variety: Prince found dead at 57.
From YahooMusic: Legendary musician Prince found dead.
From NYT: After Prince was cremated, a small group of his family and friends held a private funeral.
From YahooCelebrity: Sheila E. talks about plans to possibly turn Paisley Park into a museum.
From YahooMusic: There was almost an episode of "The Simpsons" with Prince.
From YahooTV: Here’s Prince's Epic 'SNL' 40th Anniversary After-Party Jam Session
From YahooMusic: Prince apparently loved this sketch about him from "Chappelle's Show."
From YahooNews: Sheena Easton, who collaborated with Prince on "U Got the Look" remembers him.
From YahooNews: Longtime Prince keyboardist, Cassandra Neal, talks about the rumored rivalry with Michael Jackson.
From YahooMusic: "Prince's Lyrics Gave Clues to His Personal Politics"
From YahooMusic: 10 times that Prince nailed it on guitar.
From YahooCelebrity: There will be an autopsy on Prince.
From TheMirror: Who were Prince’s family? Late superstar always surrounded by friends - who were his relatives?
From TheDailyMail: What's in Prince's will?
From YahooMusic: Across the United States, fans gather to celebrate the singer's life and music.
From YahooNews: Inside Prince and Mayte Garcia's Tragic Love Affair: 'They Never Recovered From the Death of Their Son,' Says His Dancer.
From Variety: Hollywood Mourns Prince: ‘A Legend Has Fallen’
From HuffingtonPost: The Top 10 Prince Songs You Need To Listen To
From HuffingtonPost: 5 Stories You Didn't Know About Prince
From YahooMusic: Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake & More React to Prince's Death
From Variety: Why Prince’s Super Bowl Performance, ‘New Girl’ Cameo Proved He Was a God
From Variety: Inside Prince’s Emotional Final Concerts Before His Death.
From THR: Prince: The Story Behind His Name(s)
From THR: 10 words from Prince's dictionary.
From THR: Director Antoine Fuqua: "Prince Was a King" (Guest Column).
From THR: One-time Prince Protege Carmen Electra on His Death: "I Will Always Love Him."
From THR: 'Purple Rain' Exec Recalls Traveling the World With Prince, Late Nights on Mulholland (Guest Column) - former Warner Bros. executive Mark Canton.
Wikipedia page: Prince. Album discography. Single discography.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Review: Denzel Does Good Guy/Dark Side in "The Equalizer"
The Equalizer (2014)
Running time: 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, including some sexual references
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITER: Richard Wenk; (based on the television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim)
PRODUCERS: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Tony Eldridge, Mace Neufeld, Alex Siskin, Michael Sloan, Steve Tisch, Denzel Washington, and Richard Wenk
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Mauro Fiore (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: John Refoua
COMPOSER: Harry Gregson-Williams
ACTION/CRIME/THRILLER
Starring: Denzel Washington, Martin Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Masters, Johnny Skourtis, David Meunier, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Alex Veadov, Haley Bennett, James Wilcox, Mike O'Dea, E. Roger Mitchell, and Vladimir Kulich
The Equalizer is a 2014 action movie and crime thriller from director Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington. The film is based on the television series, “The Equalizer,” which was created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim and was originally broadcast on CBS from 1985 to 1989. The Equalizer the movie focuses on a man with a mysterious past who helps a young female prostitute, which brings him into conflict with her owners, ultra-violent Russian gangsters.
The Equalizer introduces Robert “Bob” McCall (Denzel Washington), a man who lives quietly in Boston, Massachusetts, where he works at a “Home Mart” hardware store. McCall spends his nights at the Bridge Diner where he has befriended Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young call girl who also wants to be a pop singer. She is pimped out by local Russian gangsters that are led by a man named Slavi (David Meunier).
After Slavi beats Teri into a coma, McCall attempts to rescue her from Slavi. The aftermath of that meeting brings Teddy Rensen (Martin Csokas) to Boston. Rensen is the enforcer/fixer for Russian mafia leader, Vladimir Pushkin (Vladimir Kulich), but McCall decides to do some fixing of his own.
The Equalizer is a thoroughly satisfying movie... at least to me. I guess that I should qualify this review by admitting that I am a huge fan of Denzel Washington, whom I consider to be one of the world's best actors of the last three decades.
Since his Oscar-winning turn in 2001's Training Day, Washington has proven to be a capable bad guy. With 2010's Book of Eli, Washington showed that he could be a bad-ass, kick-ass, action hero with fancy martial arts-styled moves. Ostensibly the hero in The Equalizer, Washington mixes bad guy with bad-ass in Robert McCall.
The screenplay by Richard Wenk has McCall constantly in peril or makes it seem as if he were in danger even when he is not. Director Antoine Fuqua plays that for everything he can get out of it. He makes a crime film that moves like an action movie, and Fuqua makes everything so tense that he fashions a thriller that strengthens the crime and action movie elements.
And Denzel glides through it all with lethal inevitability and assurance, so much so that I have to give special credit to actor Martin Csokas. He delivers the kind of performance that makes Teddy Rensen an adversary who is a believable threat to Robert McCall.
The Equalizer is a game of death that is hard to stop watching, even if it is light on story and character development (which would have made this movie a classic). I was a big fan of the original television series, which I have not seen in years, and therefore, remember little of it. I do remember that the series did delve into character. Well, the recent announcement of a sequel to this film means that there could be improvement on the character front. In the meantime, take time to enjoy a slick and stylishly violent movie, The Equalizer.
7 of 10
B+
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Negromancer New Bits and Bites for the Week of May 17th to 23rd, 2015 - Update #12
NEWS:
From Gawker: This can't be real - Bill O'Reilly: wife beater.
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From YahooCelebrity: Josh Duggar, one of Jim Bob and Michelle's 19 kids, has been accused and also investigated for child molestation, including committing those acts against his younger female siblings.
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From Collider: At Cannes, John Lasseter previews "Finding Dory," "Toy Story 4," and more.
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From Moviesdotcom: Chris Pratt talks about what movies he will be in going forward and what is bull-crap.
---------------
From TheWrap: Peter Saarsgard joins Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in MGM's remake of The Magnificent Seven to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.
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From YahooTV: Melissa McCarthy addresses sexist critic.
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From Variety: The winner of the May 15th to 17th, 2015 is Pitch Perfect 2 with an estimated haul of $70.3. The first film only made $65 million during its entire theatrical run, although the film has been big in its move to home entertainment. The other new film, Mad Max: Fury Road made an estimated $44.4 million, with Avengers: Age of Ultron finishing third with $38.8, after two weeks at #1.
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From Variety: Jude Law headed to TV with "The Young Pope," which will air on HBO in America.
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From YahooMovies: Matthew McConaughey defends Gus Van Sant's "Sea of Trees," at Cannes 2015, where critics are having fun reviling it.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: The Maze Runner sequel: The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
MISC:
From VillageVoice: A review of Dark Star, a documentary about the late surrealist artist, H.R. Giger.
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From Salon: Roger Waters responds to Dionne Warwick.
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From YahooNews: Jay Z and Beyonce put their money where their mouths are.
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From YahooNews: This is probably the closest most will get to seeing a naked Mitt Romeny - shirtless, sweaty, and fight Evander Holyfield.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Eminem Track, "Guts Over Fear," Featured in "The Equalizer"
"GUTS OVER FEAR," THE NEW SINGLE FROM EMINEM FEAT. SIA TO BE THE END TITLE SONG IN "THE EQUALIZER" STARRING DENZEL WASHINGTON
"Guts Over Fear," the new single from Eminem featuring Sia, has just launched to great success as a digital download, with near universal acclaim and over 247,000 downloads worldwide. Moviegoers will hear the song in the upcoming film The Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, in theaters September 26.
"By the end of The Equalizer, Denzel’s character of Robert McCall will have to embrace who he really is, but also transform himself into a man on a tireless and continuing pursuit of justice. Like the title of Eminem’s song, that’s ultimately a story of guts over fear – for this character, the driving force of his life becomes using his skills to help the truly powerless," says Antoine Fuqua, director of The Equalizer. "It’s the perfect song to end the film. It’s powerful, a great song, but more importantly, it captures the themes of the movie and the choices that Robert McCall has made, and it leaves the audience feeling elated."
The song is also the first release from the upcoming ShadyXV, a two-CD compilation marking the 15th anniversary of Eminem’s Shady Records imprint. The collection is comprised of an album of the label’s greatest hits -- including classics such as 50 Cent’s "In Da Club" and Eminem’s "Lose Yourself" – plus an album of new material from Eminem, Slaughterhouse, Bad Meets Evil, D-12 and Yelawolf as well as special guest-artist collaborations. ShadyXV (Shady Records/Interscope Records) is set for release November 24, 2014.
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. Written by Richard Wenk. Based on the Television Series Created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. Produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Denzel Washington, Alex Siskin, Steve Tisch, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, and Michael Sloan. Executive producers are Ezra Swerdlow, David Bloomfield, and Ben Waisbren. The film is a Columbia Pictures presentation in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
------------------------
"Guts Over Fear," the new single from Eminem featuring Sia, has just launched to great success as a digital download, with near universal acclaim and over 247,000 downloads worldwide. Moviegoers will hear the song in the upcoming film The Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, in theaters September 26.
"By the end of The Equalizer, Denzel’s character of Robert McCall will have to embrace who he really is, but also transform himself into a man on a tireless and continuing pursuit of justice. Like the title of Eminem’s song, that’s ultimately a story of guts over fear – for this character, the driving force of his life becomes using his skills to help the truly powerless," says Antoine Fuqua, director of The Equalizer. "It’s the perfect song to end the film. It’s powerful, a great song, but more importantly, it captures the themes of the movie and the choices that Robert McCall has made, and it leaves the audience feeling elated."
The song is also the first release from the upcoming ShadyXV, a two-CD compilation marking the 15th anniversary of Eminem’s Shady Records imprint. The collection is comprised of an album of the label’s greatest hits -- including classics such as 50 Cent’s "In Da Club" and Eminem’s "Lose Yourself" – plus an album of new material from Eminem, Slaughterhouse, Bad Meets Evil, D-12 and Yelawolf as well as special guest-artist collaborations. ShadyXV (Shady Records/Interscope Records) is set for release November 24, 2014.
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. Written by Richard Wenk. Based on the Television Series Created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. Produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Denzel Washington, Alex Siskin, Steve Tisch, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, and Michael Sloan. Executive producers are Ezra Swerdlow, David Bloomfield, and Ben Waisbren. The film is a Columbia Pictures presentation in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
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Saturday, June 14, 2014
Negromancer New Bits and Bites: June 8 to June 14, 2014 Update #6
OBIT:
From the New York Times and Variety: The Academy Award-nominated actress Ruby Dee died on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. She earned her lone Oscar nomination in 2008 for her turn as the feisty mother in American Gangster. She won an Emmy Award in 1991 for her role in the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" television movie, Decoration Day.
Dee is also best known her role as "Ruth Younger" in A Raisin in the Sun, both onstage, beginning in 1959, and in the 1961 film adaptation. Dee often worked with her late husband, Ossie Davis, who died in 2005. My heart is breaking, but I know Davis and Dee are together again. Negromancer sends condolences to her family and friends.
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MOVIE NEWS:
From Hitfix: Jason Momao, of the 2011 Conan the Barbarian remake and of "Game of Thrones" will apparently be playing Aquaman in "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice."
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From The Hollywood Reporter: The Millennium Falcon apparently broke Han Solo.
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From Shadow and Act: A talk with Supremacy director, Deon Taylor.
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From Entertainment Weekly: Vincent D'Onofrio will play the villain "Wilson Fisk" in Marvel TV's 13-episode series, "Daredevil," that it is producing for Netflix. Daredevil is one of four series that Marvel is producing for Netflix. It is also producing a spinoff of "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD," entitled, Agent Carter, which will appear on ABC.
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From Shadow and Act: Wanna be an extra in Don Cheadle's Miles Davis biopic?
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From Variety: Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua are in early talks to team up for MGM's planned remake of The Magnificent Seven (which starred Steve McQueen and Yul Brenner). Washington and Fuqua first teamed on 2001's Training Day, for which Washington won a best actor Oscar. Their current team-up, The Equalizer (a remake of the 1980s TV series) is due this September.
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From Moviehole: Guillermo del Toro is working on a script for a sequel to Pacific Rim with Zak Penn.
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From BuzzFeed: Hugh Jackman has shaved his head to play Blackbeard in Pan. The photo is on Jackman's Instagram account.
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Care about the 2014 / 68th annual Tony Awards? Playbill has this article with a list of the winners, which also includes the nominees.
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"Tracy Morgan Crash" driver turned himself in and posted bail . Walmart is profoundly sorry.
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The Fault in Our Stars has the edge over Tom Cruise at the June 6-8, 2014 box office.
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Marvel officially announced that Peyton Reed (Bring It On, The Break-Up, Yes Man) will direct 2015's Ant-Man movie. Edgar Wright had been attached to the project since 2006, but recently walked away apparently due to creative differences with Marvel. Marvel's statement from its website:
When Marvel's "Ant-Man" hits theaters July 17, 2015, director Peyton Reed will help shepherd the hero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a cast led by Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas, with writer Adam McKay contributing to the film's script.
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
The Hollywood Reporter has more on the announcement, including news that Adam McKay (the Anchorman movies) will polish the script.
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How Seth Rogen makes movies from The Wrap.
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COMIC BOOKS:
From Newsarama: Frank Miller, the man who created and worked on such highly influential and/or memorable comic books as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Daredevil, and Sin City (to name a few), would like to work on Captain America. Please, make it happen Marvel.
MISCELLANEOUS:
From HuffPost Science: Girth matters... apparently more than size/length.
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Apparently Dwayne Johnson wants you to follow the diet and fitness routine he used to become buff for the upcoming Hercules.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Review: "Olympus Has Fallen" is an Entertaining, Cheesy Action Movie
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Running time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
MPAA – R for strong violence and language throughout
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITERS: Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt
PRODUCERS: Gerard Butler, Ed Cathell III, Antoine Fuqua, Mark Gill, Danny Lerner, and Alan Siegel
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Conrad W. Hall
EDITOR: John Refoua
COMPOSER: Trevor Morris
ACTION/THRILLER
Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Finley Jacobsen, Dylan McDermott, Rick Yune, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Phil Austin, Sean O’Bryan, Robert Forster, Lawrence O’Donnell, and Ashley Judd
While watching Morgan Freeman play an “Acting President of the United States” in Olympus Has Fallen, I remembered that he played the President during a disastrous time in another movie, Deep Impact, one of my very favorite films of all-time. Olympus Has Fallen will not hold a place in my heart like Deep Impact, but it is, if nothing else, an entertaining and effective action movie. Like me, you may very well feel the need to kick some enemy of the United States ass while watching it.
Olympus Has Fallen is a 2013 action thriller and semi-disaster movie from director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Tears of the Sun). The film follows a disgraced, former Secret Service agent who finds himself trying to rescue the President after terrorists attack the White House.
Olympus Has Fallen opens on a snowy Christmas evening, when tragedy strikes. Eighteen months later, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is a disgraced Secret Service agent working at the U.S. Treasury Department. While pondering the state of his life, Banning witnesses a full-on invasion of the White House. Now, Kang Yeonsak (Rick Yune), a terrorist mastermind, is holding President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) hostage, and Kang’s demands, if met, will change the United States and the world forever. Fate has given Banning a chance at redemption, but he may not have enough time to save the President or the world.
In some ways, Olympus Has Fallen is a throwback movie. I can see Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, or Bruce Willis playing the lead in a movie just like Olympus Has Fallen from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Lower the budget of such a movie, and your lead becomes Dolph Lundgren or Steven Seagal. I can even imagine the voice over for an “old school” version of Olympus Has Fallen:
A pan-Asian devil has taken the White House,
The President – held hostage; the world in danger,
Now, only one man – one Caucasian man – can save the world
Bruce Willis-Stallone-Schwarzenegger, etc is Mike Banning in
OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN
Seriously, this is a slightly above-average, American-macho-done-up action movie. Director Antoine Fuqua does his best low-rent Michael Bay. Fuqua seems to borrow the loudest and most obnoxious stylistic elements of Bay’s The Rock and Armageddon to make Olympus Has Fallen.
Here, Gerard Butler is either being a really bad actor – a 21st century Dolph Lundgren – or he’s being tongue-in-cheek. Even MAD Magazine couldn’t mock the action hero in a way that would surpass Butler’s caricature known as Mike Banning. As a villain, Rick Yune is Butler’s over-the-top mirror image. Yune’s Kang belongs in a Jean-Claude Van Damme straight-to-DVD movie, not in a big-budget feature.
The opposite of Butler and Yune is Morgan Freeman who plays Speaker of the House Allan Trumbull as extra-deadly serious. Angela Bassett, as Lynne Jacobs, Director of the Secret Service, is sometimes over-the-top hysterical and frantic; it made me wonder if Bassett had forgotten that she was in an action movie and not a soap opera.
Still, Olympus Has Fallen is fun to watch, because it is as much a disaster movie as it is a shoot ‘em up about a lone wolf-type. And the disaster part of it really appealed to me.
5 of 10
C+
Monday, August 19, 2013
Friday, January 13, 2012
Review: Mark Wahlberg Has Magnum Force in "Shooter"
Shooter (2007)
Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, six minutes)
MPAA – R for strong graphic violence and some language
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITER: Jonathan Lemkin (based upon the novel Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter)
PRODUCERS: Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ric Kidney
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Peter Menzies, Jr. ASC
EDITOR: Eric Sears, A.C.E.
ACTION/DRAMA/THRILLER
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Maria, Elias Koteas, Rhona Mitra, Rade Sherbedgia, Lane Garrison, and Ned Beatty
Academy Award-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) joins Antoine Fuqua, the director of Training Day and Tears of the Sun, for the film, Shooter, a razor sharp action/thriller about an honorable man framed as an assassin.
After a mission in Ethiopia goes badly, Marine Corps scout sniper, Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg), walks away from the Corps for what he sees as a devastating betrayal. He moves to a remote mountain cabin and leaves the world behind, except for his loyal dog. One day, Colonel Isaac Johnson (Danny Glover) comes calling and tells Swagger that his country desperately needs him to help Col. Johnson foil an assassination attempt on the President of the United States. Johnson tries to convince Swagger that only his lethal skills and expertise in long-range ballistics can help stop the assassin.
Johnson appeals to Swagger’s sense of patriotism, and he decides to do this "one last time" thing. After this new mission goes badly and the mystery assassin gets off a shot, Swagger becomes a hunted man, and he has to uncover a dark conspiracy in the heart of the American government in order to clear his name. Swagger will have to discover who the real hit men are, but he’ll have to hit them before they hit him.
A mixture of the Matt Damon “Jason Bourne” films (The Bourne Identity) and the Harrison Ford-led “Jack Ryan” films, in particularly, Clear and Present Danger, Shooter is a slick, fast-paced film that draws the viewer in at the very beginning and holds him or her in a vice like grip until the picture fades to black. Shooter isn’t as smart as the recent The Bourne Ultimatum, nor is it really an insider/conspiracy movie like Clear and Present Danger. Shooter is the good old boy, ass-kickin’ version of those films – smart, tough, but most of all street savvy.
The performances are good, and Wahlberg, a former Top 40 rapper and pretty boy underwear model, has turned out to be a strong actor who is authentic in very masculine roles. In other words, he’s plays the don’t-mess-with-him badass very well. Some of the credit for Shooter’s success must also go to Antoine Fuqua. He does movies featuring men with guns and films featuring combat and the military very well. One can say he’s almost an artist with these types of movies, and Shooter is his most polished effort yet, and a damn enjoyable movie about men who are super good at shooting super guns.
8 of 10
A
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Review: "Brooklyn's Finest" is Actually Not The Finest
Brooklyn’s Finest (2009)
Wide U.S. release: March 5, 2010
Running time: 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes)
MPAA – R for bloody violence throughout, strong sexuality, nudity, drug content and pervasive language
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITER: Michael C. Martin
PRODUCERS: Elie Cohn, Basil Iwanyk, John Langley, and John Thompson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Patrick Murguia
EDITOR: Barbara Tulliver
CRIME/DRAMA
Starring: Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Brian O’Byrne, Will Patton, Lili Taylor, Ellen Barkin, Jesse Williams, Shannon Kane, Lela Rochon, Ed Moran, Isiah Whitlock, Michael Kenneth Williams, Hassan Iniko Johnson, Jas Anderson and Vincent D’Onofrio
Ever watch a movie that just frustrates you because you want it to be better than it is because it should be better than it is? That’s Brooklyn’s Finest, a crime film from director Antoine Fuqua, an accomplished director of violent action films like Training Day and Tears of the Sun, which are aimed at guys who love violent action.
Brooklyn’s Finest follows three veteran New York cops struggling with right and wrong. Cynical, washed-up Edward “Eddie” Dugan (Richard Gere) stopped caring about the job or the rules years ago. Days from retirement, he finds himself overseeing rookies who will be assigned to tough neighborhoods. Detective Salvatore “Sal” Procida (Ethan Hawke) is desperate for money to support his growing family, so he starts taking money he finds during drug busts. Deeply religious, he struggles to reconcile his criminal deeds with his family’s needs, but with a down payment on a bigger house due, he plots his most dangerous cash-grab yet.
Clarence “Tango” Butler (Don Cheadle) is an undercover narcotics officer who hopes his latest assignment will earn him a promotion to detective and a desk job. However, he must betray Casanova “Caz” Phillips (Wesley Snipes), a prison buddy just released from prison on appeal of his conviction. A vulgar federal agent demands that Tango set up a drug deal that will assure Caz’s return to prison, but that causes Tango to be torn between his conflicting loyalties – the job and his friend. Eddie, Sal, and Tango converge on the Van Dyke housing projects of Brooklyn’s notorious Brownsville section where their lives will change forever.
Brooklyn’s Finest is a sprawling crime drama that offers good characters and a good setup, but it never really develops. The characters are the kind of stock players found in movies dealing with the New York City Police Department and Big Apple crime: cynical cops, dirty cops, vulgar cops, asshole cops, compromised cops, bureaucratic cops, arrogant federal agents, prostitutes, wannabe gangsters, and drug dealers. Plus, there are shootings – lots and lots of shootings. Although Brooklyn’s Finest is his first screenplay, writer Michael C. Martin actually seems as if he is going to do something grand, if not different, with this story and these characters. However, he eventually writes himself into a corner, where violent death is the only resolution, so the movie ends up seeming so predictable. Martin develops everything slowly, as if this were a pilot for a television series, when it really is a movie screenplay. Martin just builds and builds, and before the plot can thicken, it’s time for the story to end. And the only way left to end this is by using good old mister shoot ‘em up.
The performances by the three leads are good, if not great. Richard Gere is so real as the cynical, burned-out Eddie that the character seems weird and out of place. The best acting comes from the supporting players. Wesley Snipes is pitch perfect as the old dog gangsta; Snipes shows it in his face that Caz is tired and out of place among the younger, harder, and more brutal drug dealers. The talented Brian O’Byrne is excellent as the way too underutilized character, Officer Ronny Rosario. Ellen Barkin reminds us how good she is as the ball-busting Federal Agent Smith, a part Barkin plays as if she has a chip on shoulder and dynamite up her ass. Someone should give Smith her own movie because the disappointing Brooklyn’s Finest is not worthy of the character.
4 of 10
C
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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Monday, July 12, 2010
Review: "Tears of the Sun" Offers Sentiment with Military Action
Tears of the Sun (2003)
Running time: 121 minutes (2 hours, 1 minute)
MPAA – R for strong war violence, some brutality and language
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITERS: Alex Lasker and Patrick Cirillo
PRODUCERS: Ian Bryce, Mike Lobell, and Arnold Rifkin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Mauro Fiore
EDITOR: Conrad Buff IV
COMPOSER: Lisa Gerrard and Hans Zimmer
WAR/ACTION/DRAMA with elements of a thriller
Starring: Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Eamonn Walker, Charles Ingram, Tom Skerritt, and Malick Bowens
Is Tears of the Sun a good movie? Well, the boy parts: the action, the blood and guts, the special ops intrigue, the shootouts, the male camaraderie, etc. are good There’s lots of that and it’s as good, in that respect as, say, Black Hawk Down. The parts of the film that’s supposed to pass for girl stuff: concerned foreign doctors, martyred priests and nuns, and defenseless refugees are negligible. It’s not that you won’t feel sympathetic to the plight of natives being hunted by genocidal soldiers because there are some touching moments and some very riveting, frightening moments, but they get in the way of a very good movie about a group of brave soldiers.
A special operations commander, A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis), leads his team into remote Nigeria to rescue an American doctor (Monica Bellucci). However, Dr. Lena Hendricks refuses to leave without her village friends whom she calls “my people.” When Waters gets to feeling that he can’t leave Lena’s people behind to be slaughtered by vicious rebel troops, he puts himself and his men on a perilous journey through the thick Nigerian jungles to bring the doctor and her people to safe harbor. Not only does escorting civilians slow the team down, but there’s a horde of vicious killers on their trail.
Director Antoine Fuqua has a deft touch with the military scenes. They’re exciting and invigorating; he has the infinite patience to let his camera soak in the special operatives stealth work and also the vigor to grasp the sudden and rapid violence of a firefight. In Training Day, Fuqua wasn’t good with the film’s few sentimental and romantic moments. They might have been important in establishing Training Day’s characters, but the sentiment took a back seat to the conflict between the lead characters.
Here, the soft moments, those moments when the film focuses on the plight of the refugees and the hideous, soul wrenching horror of post-colonial Africa, are boring and they hamper the film. Unlike Training Day, sentiment is important to Tears. I just didn’t care about that in this film, although I do care when I’m not busy demanding blood and gore from my entertainment. The special ops guys mesmerized me: their camaraderie, their bravery, their sense of humanity and kindness even in the face of long odds, and their believe in the team that makes them do even the things upon which individuals disagree. All this machismo in a movie makes for effective war propaganda.
The quality of the acting ranges from very good to average. Willis is himself, a bit of ham at the most inopportune moments, and Ms. Bellucci’s succeeds in making an annoying character quite annoying and self-righteous. The actors who make up Waters team including Cole Hauser are excellent; they carry the film and make it worth seeing. And that’s the recommendation, Tears of the Sun is an entertaining film with edge of your seat action and scenes that skirt your nerves along the razor’s edge, very similar to Black Hawk Down, albeit a lower rent version, but still a good film.
6 of 10
B
NOTES:
2004 Black Reel Awards: 1 nomination: “Film: Best Director” (Antoine Fuqua)
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Sunday, July 11, 2010
Review: Denzel Washington Blew Minds with "Training Day"
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 12 (of 2001) by Leroy Douresseaux
Training Day (2001)
Running time: 122 minutes (2 hours, 2 minutes)
MPAA – R for brutal violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITER: David Ayer
PRODUCERS: Bobby Newmyer and Jeffrey Silver
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Mauro Fiore (director of photography)
EDITOR: Conrad Buff
Academy Award winner
DRAMA/CRIME/THRILLER
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger, Harris Yulin, Raymond J. Barry, Cliff Curtis, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Charlotte Ayanna, and Eva Mendes
After not winning the Oscar for Best Actor 1999 for his portrayal of the noble but controversial Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (to the worthy Kevin Spacey), Denzel Washington may likely not earn even an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the thoroughly evil and corrupted L.A. cop Alonzo Harris in Training Day. [Actually, after I wrote this, Washington did earn both an Oscar nomination and a win for his portrayal of Harris – Leroy 2010/7/10.]
Training Day begins with Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), a young cop of 19 months, earns an assignment to the narcotics division under the tutelage of Harris. From the get go, Harris is rude and crude to Hoyt, and before long Harris takes Hoyt on a whirlwind tour of the seamy underbelly of L.A. County: gang neighborhoods, slums, drug dealing, and police corruption. But a recent miscue haunts Harris, and his attempt to get from under the cloud his carelessness has earned him brings the movie to its abrupt, brutal, and violent end. All the while, Hoyt struggles to maintain his law-abiding nature.
Washington is shocking, brilliant and intense as the dirty cop Harris. Known for playing clean policemen, upright detectives, and uplifting African-American heroes, Washington’s turn as a villain will wake people up to this artistic diverse resume. That he is one of the great actors of the last 15 years in not debatable. The passion that he brought to his role in The Hurricane, he brings here, and one can see passion in his eyes, in his gestures, and in the way he carries himself. It is the most invigorating character Washington has played since The Hurricane.
Hawke remains a player of mostly melancholy characters for which one can feel the deepest sympathy. He is an everyman with matinee idol good looks and charm, although it’s hard to accept his character late in the movie as Hoyt vengefully stalks Harris. He isn’t miscast; the movie just goes slightly awry, focusing on Harris’s evil rather than Hoyt’s coming of age as a policeman.
Antoine Fuqua (the director of the clumsy The Replacement Killers) brings the eye he used as a director of music videos to the film, but with the sensibility to follow a longer, more coherent story than is usually found in videos. Training Day’s pace is steady and breezy, and doesn’t start to stumble until the last quarter.
This isn’t entirely his fault. David Ayer, a rising screen writing star (U-571, The Fast and the Furious) convinces us until the last fifteen minutes or so of this film that Harris will get away with it. Harris’s ideology isn’t entirely unacceptable to mainstream audiences. If his believe system works and keeps the streets clean, most citizens would be happy as long as the could keep their hands clean and the truth buried so that they never have to deal with him and look the other way. It must be Ayers’s goody-two shoes nature that resolves things in the direction in which he does. It is sometimes nice when a movie eschews a happy ending, and the happy ending is usually positive, even when negative would have been more believable. This time the happy ending would have been the ugly truth, and this movie deserved a happy ending.
Not to reveal too many things, but with a deadline looming to save his life, Harris wouldn’t have stopped for a dalliance.
An entertaining cop flick, Training Day is good look at excellent work from a very talented actor, Washington. It may come across as harsh for those who like him as a romantic, good guy leading man, but it’s great for those who want a tour de force from a screen artist.
7 of 10
A-
NOTES:
2002 Academy Awards: 1 win: “Best Actor in a Leading Role” (Denzel Washington); 1 nomination: “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (Ethan Hawke)
2002 Golden Globes: 1 nomination: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Denzel Washington)
2002 Black Reel Awards: 3 wins: “Black Reel Theatrical - Best Actor” (Denzel Washington), “Theatrical - Best Director” (Antoine Fuqua), and “Theatrical - Best Film;” 1 nominations: “Best Song” (Nelly for the song "#1")
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