Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 21st to 31st, 2024 - UPDATE #14

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From THR:  Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" has now surpassed Disney's "Frozen II" as the all-time highest grossing animated film at the global box office.  It's 1.462 billion dollars passed the "Frozen" sequel's 1.451 billion dollars. 

From Deadline:  Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed that it has hired former Netflix Chairman of Film and former Vice Chairman of Universal, Scott Stuber, to revive the "United Artists" label for them.  Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner also tried to revive United Artists about 16 years ago.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Apple Original Films has won the auction for the rights to adapt author Jonathan Tropper's short story, "The Corsair Code." Tropper will adapt the story, which is attached to actor Chris Hemsworth.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  AMC and AMC+'s "The Terror" Season 3 rounds out its cast with CCH Pounder, Judith Light, and Stephen Root.

POLITICS - Variety:  Hollywood donors feel tremendous enthusiasm for Democratic Presidential candidate, Vice-President Kamala Harris.

From THR:  Netflix's Reed donates $7 million dollars to VP Kamala Harris' election campaign.

FILM FESTIVALS - From Deadline:  The full lineup of films for the 81st Venice Film Festival have been announced, and among the big names is "Joker: Folie a Deux."  The festival runs from August 28th to September 7th, 2024.

From Deadline:  The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival announced its full lineup of "Galas 2024" and "Special Presentations 2024," and which amounts to 63 films from 25 countries.  Many include films are from celebrated directors and star some of the biggest names in domestic and international cinema.  TIFF 2024 runs September 5th to 15th, 2024.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Recent Oscar winner Brendan Fraser ("The Whale") will portray Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower in Working Title and Studiocanal‘s upcoming D-Day movie, "Pressure."

AMAZON - From Deadline:   Amazon Prime Video has taken another big leap into the UK film and TV industry by acquiring Bray Film Studios, the 70-year-old studios where "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is filmed.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/19 to 7/21/2024 weekend box office is Universal's "Twisters" with an estimated take of 80.5 million dollars.

POLITICS - From Variety:  President Joe Biden has ended his re-election bid.

From TheAtlantic or RSN:  Just in cast you'd forgotten J.D. Vance's critique, "Opioid of the Masses," of his now running mate, Donald Trump, here are two sources where you can enjoy it.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999), director Stanley Kubrick's final film.  The film starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who were married at the time of the film's production and release.  Recently, Kidman talked about how Kubrick found inspiration in the marriage for his film.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Paramount+ has cancelled "Halo," its video game adaptation, after two seasons.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 14th to 20th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

NETFLIX - From YahooFinance:  Netflix says that it will phase out its $11.99 ad-free plan.

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Donald Glover brings an end to his musical persona, "Childish Gambino," with a new album, "Bando Stone and the New World," and perhaps, a film and world tour.

EMMYS - From Variety:  The nominations for the 76th / 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards have been announced.  FX's "Shogun" leads the drama categories with 25 nominations and its series, "The Bear," leads the comedy categories with 23.  The winners will be announced Sunday, Sept. 15th in a ceremony broadcast on ABC.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Michael Mann says that he hopes to start film "Heat 2" by the end of this year or the beginning of next year (2025). He won't discuss the cast, although there are rumors about Adam Driver and Austin Butler.

AMAZON - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Colin Firth has joined Amazon Prime Video's "Young Sherlock."  Based on Andy Lane's series of novels, the Amazon production will star Hero Fiennes Tiffin.

BUSINESS - From THR:  Another day, another round of layoffs at Warner Bros. Discovery, across all divisions.

HULU - From Deadline:  Halle Berry has reportedly exited Ryan Murphy's Hulu legal drama, "All's Fair," starring Kim Kardashian.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  CBS has announced the Fall 2024 premiere dates for its returning and new TV series.  The first series arrives on Wednesday, September 18th with the Season 47 premier of "Survivor" and and the last two arrive Sunday, October 27th with the Season 2 premier of "Tracker" and the Season 5 premiere of "The Equalizer."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/12 to 7/14/2024 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 44.65 million dollars.

From YahooEntertainment:  Neon's release, "Longlegs," is a surprise #2 at this weekend's box office.  But is the film cursed by star Nicolas Cage's creepy performance?

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Zoe Kravitz's talks about why her directorial debut, "Blink Twice," is no longer entitled "Pussy Island."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  HBO has released a first-look image of Emily Watson as "Valya Harkonnen" from the television series, "Dune: Prophecy."  The series is due this fall.

OBITS:

From Variety:  American comedian, actor, and recording artist, Bob Newhart, has died at the age of 94, Thursday, July 18, 2024.  Newhart came to prominence with the release of an album of comedic monologues, entitled "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart."  That LP and its follow-up, "The Button-Mind Strikes Back!," won Newhart his three Grammy Awards.  As an actor, he would be best known for two former CBS sitcoms, "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972-78) and "Newhart" (1982-90).  He would win his sole Primetime Emmy Award for a guest role on the former CBS sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory."

From Deadline:  Tributes pour in for iconic deadpan comedian, Bob Newhart, who died yesterday (Thurs., July 18th) at the age of 84

-----------------------

From Deadline:  Film and television actor, James B. Sikking, has died at the age of 90, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Sikking was best known for the role "Lt. Howard Hunter" on the former NBC police drama, "Hill Street Blues" (1981-86), a role for which he was once nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.  He also played "Doogie Howser's" dad, "David," on the former ABC sitcom, "Doogie Howser M.D."  He also appeared in such films as "Ordinary People" (1980), "Outland" (1981), "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984), to name a few.

From Variety:  American film and television actress, Shannen Doherty, has died at the age of 53, Saturday, July 13, 2024 after a long battle with breast cancer beginning with her 2015 diagnosis.  She first gained prominence playing the role of "bad girl," "Brenda Walsh," during the first four seasons of the former Fox teen soap, "Beverly Hills, 90210." She also starred as the witch, "Prue Halliwell," on the first three seasons of The WB series, "Charmed."  She appeared in a number of films, including "Heathers" (1988) and "Mallrats" (1995).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 7th to 13th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Today (Fri., July 12th) in New Mexico, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter trial against Alec Baldwin. Baldwin has been charged in the 2021 accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."  Judge Sommer accused the state of repeatedly failing to disclose key evidence to Baldwin's defense team.  The trial was dismissed without prejudice meaning it cannot be refiled.  The already-convicted armorer on the film, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed could also be released from prison.

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin racks up a win early in his trial on involuntary manslaughter charges.  Baldwin is being tried for the shooting death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, in 2021 on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

POLITICS - From TheNewYorkTimes:  George Clooney says that he loves President Joe Biden, but that Biden has got to go... with friends like this...

STREAMING - From Variety:  Halle Berry and Glenn Close is joining Ryan Murphy's Hulu legal drama, "All's Fair," which will star Kim Kardashian.  Berry and Close will join Kardashian as executive producers.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/5 to 7/7/2024 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 75 million dollars.

BUSINESS - From Variety:  David Ellison meets the press in the way of his company, Skydance Media, gobbling up Paramount Global.

From Deadline:  David Ellison's Skydance Media and its backers are taking over Paramount Global with an 8 billion dollar investment.  Ellison will be chairman and CEO of the merged companies, and the deal is expected to be closed by mid-2025.

From Deadline:  A special committee of Paramount Global board members has given a key approval vote to Skydance Media's bid to gain the controlling share of National Amusements Inc., the parent company of Paramount.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinki talk about next summer's blockbuster film, "F1," starring Brad Pitt.

From WorldofReel:  There is a first poster for director Joseph Kosinski's "F1," which stars Brad Pitt. The film is due Summer 2025. Kosinski directed the megahit, "Top Gun: Maverick."

OBITS:

From Variety:  American television fitness guru and personality and author, Richard Simmons, has died at the age of 76, Saturday, July 13, 2024.  Simmons was best known for his extensive line of self-help books and videos related to exercise and weight-loss.  His best known series is probably the "Sweatin' to the Oldies," initially released on videocassette.  He gained fame as a fitness guru after opening his exercise studio, "The Anatomy Asylum," in 1974.  By the late 70s and into the early 1980s, he began consistently appearing on television.  From 1980-84, he hosted "The Richard Simmons Show," which was nominated for seven Daytime Emmy Awards and won four.  After the series ended, Simmons continued to make numerous TV and public appearances.  Beginning in 2014, Simmons largely became a recluse.

From THR:  American film and television actress and TV producer, Shelley Duvall, has died at the age of 75, Thursday, July 11, 2024.  Early on in her career, Duvall was the protege of director, Robert Altman, who discovered her, and she appeared in several of his films, including "Brewster's McCloud" (1970) and "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971), and "Nashville" (1975).  Known for playing eccentric roles, she starred in "Popeye" (1980), the adaptation of the famed newspaper comics strip and animated cartoon series.  Duvall's most famous role may be that of the tormented wife, "Wendy Torrance," opposite Jack Nicholson's "Jack Torrance" in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980).  As a producer she earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on children's programming.

From Variety:  The magazine's Owen Gleiberman writes a remembrance of actress Shelley Duvall, who died Thurs., July 11th.

---------------------------------

From Deadline:  American actor and voice artist and former child star, Benji Gregory, has died at the age of 46, Thursday, June 13, 2024.  Gregory is best known for the role of "Brian Tanner" on the former NBC sitcom, "Alf" (1986-90). Gregory also performed voice roles on such animated series as "Pound Puppies" and the "Back to the Future" animated series.

---------------------------------

From Deadline:  American film producer, Jon Landau, has died at the age of 63, Friday, July 5, 2024.  Landau was best known for his association with writer-director James Cameron and was the COO of Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment.  Landau shared the "Best Picture" Oscar win with Cameron for the 1997 film, "Titanic."  He also received "Best Picture" Oscar nominations for "Avatar" (2009) and "Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022).

From Deadline:  In mourning the death of his close friend and collaborator, Jon Landau, James Cameron says "a part of myself has been torn away."

From Deadline:  Hollywood is shocked by the death of Oscar-winning producer Jon Landau ("Titanic), and they salute his vision, achievements, and kindness.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 1st to 6th, 2024 - UPDATE #12

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  The winner of the July 4th box office is "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 20.4 million dollars.

CELEBRITY - From EW:  Famous actor Kevin Bacon disguised himself as a regular person for a day and discovered that, compared to fame, it sucks.

MOVIES - From THR:  "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" director Matt Molloy said he kept turning down offers from super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer until he said yes to the new "Beverly Hills Cop" film.

FILM FESTIVALS - From Deadline:  Director Tim Burton's new film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," will open the 81st Venice Film Festival on Aug. 28th. The film is the sequel to his 1988 Oscar-winning hit, "Beetlejuice."

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Sony teases that more information will come about Quentin Tarantino's 10th and alleged final film. Earlier this year, it was announced that Tarantino had scrapped his plans to make a movie called "The Movie Critic."

NETFLIX - From THR:  Netflix has won the rights to "RIP," a thriller from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's production company.  Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film also stars Damon and Affleck.

JAMES BOND - From WorldofReel:  Edward Berger ("All Quiet on the Western Front") is the latest name to pop up as a potential director to helm the next James Bond film franchise reboot.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal moves tentpole musical, "Wicked" to November 22nd where it will open against Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II."

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" has crossed the 1 billion dollar mark (1.014 billion dollars) at the global box office, which is the fastest ever for an animated film.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the legendary blockbuster film, Jaws (1975). There are two documentaries about the film, dueling for attention, "Jaws: Making a Splash in Hollywood" and "Jaws @ 50."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film producer, Jon Landau, has died at the age of 63, Friday, July 5, 2024.  Landau was best known for his association with writer-director James Cameron and was the COO of Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment.  Landau shared the "Best Picture" Oscar win with Cameron for the 1997 film, "Titanic."  He also received "Best Picture" Oscar nominations for "Avatar" (2009) and "Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022).

From Deadline:  American screenwriter and director, Robert Towne, has died at the age of 89, Monday, July 1, 2024.  He was best known for his work on the 1975 film, Chinatown," for which he was the "Best Original Screenplay" Oscar.  He was also nominated for Academy Awards for his work on "The Last Detail" (1974), "Shampoo" (1976), and "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan" (1984). He wrote and directed four films, including "Personal Best" (1982) and "Tequila Sunrise" (1988).

From Deadline:  American film editor, producer, and director, Bud S. Smith, has died at the age of 88, Sunday, June 23, 2024.  He edited or co-edited such films as "The Karate Kid" (1984), "To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), "Darkman" (1990), and "The Replacements" (2000).  He shared two Oscar nominations for his editing work on "The Exorcist" (1973) and "Flashdance" (1983).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 23rd to 30th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/28 to 6/30/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 57.4 million dollars.

MOVIES - From THR:  Denis Villeneuve's next film from Warner Bros. will arrive in 2026.  It could be the third film in the "Dune" series, "Dune: Messiah."

TELEVISION - From Variety:  Actor Jared Padalecki says goodbye to his series, "Walker," on The CW.  And he has harsh words for the "cheap" network.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  The Los Angeles Lakers' new coach, JJ Reddick, meets the press.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The "Harry Potter" television reboot series is taking shape under the guidance of a duo from HBO's hit, "Succession."  Francesca Gardiner will write and Mark Mylod will direct the series.  The series is due in 2026.

From Deadline:  The "Harry Potter" TV series and the "IT" prequel series, "Welcome to Derry," are headed to HBO as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming "rethink."

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety:  Recent Oscar-nominee, Lily Gladstone, is among 487 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Reminiscing about his past with the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, actor Judge Reinhold had signed onto the 1984 original film when the project was an action movie with Sylvester Stallone set to star.  The film later become a comedy starring Eddie Murphy.  The new film, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" is due on Netflix July 3rd.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/21 to 6/23/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 100 million dollars.

From THR:  "Inside Out 2's" 100 million dollars in box office is the all-time record for an animated feature film. That is also the seventh-biggest weekend for any film.

REMEMBRANCE - From Jacobin:  Apparently, the recently deceased actor, Donald Sutherland, was a man on the political left and he never abandoned those principles.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Jonathan Majors has come in from the cold. He will star in the revenge thriller, "Merciless." The film will be directed by Martin Villeneuve, the younger brother of "Dune" director, Denis Villeneuve.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Actor, musician, and comedian, Martin Mull, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, June 27, 2024.  He is best known for roles in such satirical series as "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and "Fernwood 2 Night" and it continuation, "America 2 Night."  He had recurring roles in the former ABC sitcoms, "Rosanne" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."  He was a lead in the sadly, short-lived Fox comedy, "The Cool Kids."  His best known film role may be as "Colonel Mustard" in 1985's "Clue."  He as nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on HBO's "Veep."

From Variety:  American film and television actor, Bill Cobbs, has died at the age of 90, Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  A prolific actor, Cobbs appeared in such films as "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984), "New Jack City" (1991), "The Bodyguard" (1992), "Ghosts of Mississippi" (1996), and "Night at the Museum" (2006), to name a few.  A frequent presence on numerous TV series, he appeared on such series as "I'll Fly Away," "The Drew Carey Show," and "Star Trek: Enterprise."  He was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on the Canadian children's television series, "Dino Dana," winning the award in 2020.

From Deadline:  American television executive, Jamie Kellner, has died at the age of 77, Friday, June 21, 2024.  Kellner helped founded two broadcasts networks, the Fox Broadcasting Company (1986), and The WB (1994).  Later, he would succeed Ted Turner as head of Turner Broadcasting System (2000).  Among the TV series Kellner helped develop were "The Simpsons," "Married... with Children," and "In Living Color" at Fox and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dawson's Creek" at The WB.

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, Spencer Milligan, has died at the age of 86, Thursday, April 18, 2024.  He was best known for playing, "Rick Marshall," the father of Will and Holly Marshall, during the first two seasons on the children's live-action, sci-fi TV series, "Land of the Lost" (NBC, 1974-75).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 16th to 22th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Kevin Costner announces that he is not returning for the final season of "Yellowstone."

SPORTS - From TheNewYorkTimes:  It's okay, fellow Lakers fans. We do have 18 titles, too.

AMAZON - From THR:  Josh Gad will star in and produce with Mel Brooks a sequel to Brooks' "Star Wars" satire film, "Space Balls" (1987). Amazon MGM Studios is behind the project.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Smith has joined Sony Pictures and Escape Artists on the sci-fi film, "Resistor."  It is based on Daniel Suarez's novel, "Influx."

MOVIES - From Variety:  Lionsgate has landed the North American rights to Francis Ford Coppola's divisive new film, "Megalopolis."  Lionsgate currently plans a Sept. 27th, 2024 release date.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/14 to 6/16/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 155 million dollars.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  As the final episodes of "Yellowstone," film without him, star Kevin Costner says he would return to the series "under the right circumstances.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Jason Patric has joined the cast of the "Terrifier 3," the sequel to the 2022 hit cult film, "Terrifier 2."  Film on the third entry wrapped in NYC last week.

TONY AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 77th Annual Tony Awards were announced last night (Sun., Jun 16th). "The Outsiders" wins for "Best Musical."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Eddie Murphy provides some updates on the fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F." Much of it has to do with working with Taylour Paige, who plays Axel Foley's daughter. The film is due July 3rd on Netflix.

MOVIES - From TheNewYorkTimes:  There is a chilling reason American audiences might not get to see "The Apprentice," the new movie about Donald Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) and his mentor, the late Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong).

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Canadian film and television actor, Donald Sutherland, has died at the age of 88, Thursday, June 20, 2024.  His seven-decade film career contains too many great films to name, but among them are M*A*S*H (1970), "Klute" (1971), "Don't Look Now" (1973), "Invasion of the Body Snatcher" (1978), "Ordinary People" (1980), and "The Hunger Game" franchise.  He won a Primetime Emmy for his work in the HBO TV movie, "Citizen X" (1995). Some consider Sutherland to be the best actor never to be nominated for an Oscar, but he did receive an "Academy Honor Award" in 2017.  Among Sutherland's five children is actor, Kiefer Sutherland.

From Deadline:  Keifer Sutherland remembers his father, actor Donald Sutherland, who has died at the age of 88.

From Deadline:  Remembering Donald Sutherland, a career in photos

From Deadline:  Hollywood reacts to the death of Emmy-winning actor, Donald Sutherland. Among the comments are President Joe Biden, and Oscar-winners, Ron Howard and Michael Douglas.

From Deadline:  Donald Sutherland's last major role was as "Judge Isaac Parker" (a.k.a. "the Hanging Judge") on the Paramount+ miniseries, "Lawmen: Bass Reeves."  Series executive producer and star, David Oyelowo, talks about working with Sutherland.

--------------------

From ESPN:  Professional baseball legend and Major League Baseball centerfielder, Willie Mays, has died at the age of 93, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.  Known as "the Say Hey Kid," Mays is considered by some to be the greatest all-around baseball of all time.  Mays is best known for his time with the New York/San Francisco Giants, with whom he won the 1954 World Series.  He was the National League Rookie of the Year (1951) and was a two-time National League Most Valuable Player.  Mays finished his career with the New York Meets in 1972 and 1973.  Mays also played one season in the Negro Leagues.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 9th to 15th, 2024 - UPDATE #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Russell Crowe explains why he turned down the role of "Aragorn" in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Viggo Mortensen eventually won the role.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Longtime TNT sports broadcaster, Charles Barkley, says that he is going to retire after the 2024-25 NBA season. The news comes as it seems TNT's parent, Warner Bros. Discovery, is going to lose its NBA rights to NBC.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson are circling roles in Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow's ("The Hurt Locker) next film for Netflix.

ANIMATION - From Variety:  Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema, and Sola Entertainment previewed 20 minutes of its upcoming anime feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”  Directed by Kenji Kemiyana ("Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex"), the footage received thunderous applause during the packed presentation on Tuesday at the Annecy Animation Festival.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Director Henry Selick is once again interested in a film adaptation to Neil Gaiman's 2013 novel, "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."  Selick also hopes to revive his failed Pixar project, "The Shadow King."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Yahya Abdul Mateen II will star in Netflix's TV adaptation of the 2004 Denzel Washington film, "Man on Fire."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/7 to 6/9/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' Bad Boys: Ride or Die with an estimated total of 56 million dollars.

From Deadline:  Bad Boys: Ride or Die leads the international box office with a debut of 48.6 million dollars. It's global box office haul is 104.6 million dollars.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Oscar-nominee Kristen Stewart will play ground-breaking American astronaut, Sally Ride, in the Amazon MGM Studios miniseries, "The Challenger."

MOVIES - From THR:  The film that will follow the recent hit, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," has a director.  It is Grant Sputore, who directed the 2019 Hilary Swank sci-fi flick, "I Am Mother."

OBITS:

From NBA:  American basketball player, coach, scout, and executive, Jerry West, has died at the age of 86, Wednesday, June 12, 2024.  He is best remembered for his association with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, including being a member of the 1971-72 NBA Championship team that went 69 wins and 13 losses.  That won-loss record was an NBA season record that stood until the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls won 72 games and lost 10 on the way to an NBA title.  West also won 8 titles as an executive, including five as a member of the Lakers front office and two as a member of the Golden State Warriors front office.  West is a three-time member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.  As a player, he was inducted as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Basketball team which won the gold medal and again as a player in 1980.  Later, this year (2024), he will be inducted as an NBA executive. West's silhouette is the basis for the NBA's logo.

From Deadline:  American journalist and television commentator, Howard Fineman, has died at the age of 75, Tuesday, June 11, 2024.  Fineman was best known for his work with the cable news network, MSNBC.

----------------

POLITICS - 

From TheRoot:  "The Root" gives you "The Long Racist History of Donald Trump, from the 1970s to Now."

From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From Truthout:  On Thursday afternoon (May 30th, 2024), in "The People vs. Donald Trump" — the New York-based trial featuring, for the first time in United States history, an ex-president in a criminal proceeding— a jury of the former president’s peers delivered a unanimous verdict: that he was guilty of all crimes he was accused of committing. Trump becomes the first former President in US History to be convicted of a crime.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 1st to 8th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

EMMYS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 51st Daytime Emmy Awards have been announced.  ABC's long-running soap opera, "General Hospital," won four awards, including "Outstanding Daytime Drama."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Writer-director Tyler Perry has set the cast for "Straw," his latest film for Netflix, the streamer announced on Wednesday. Taraji P. Henson is set to star alongside Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Mike Merrill. and Ashley Versher.

From Deadline: Netflix has released the first images, title and voiceover cast for Aardman’s new Wallace & Gromit movie, "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl." The release date is this winter 2025 on Netflix, but the movie will debut on the BBC this Christmas.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The CW has cancelled its drama, "All American: Homecoming" after three seasons.  That leaves the original series, "All American," as the sole remaining scripted series began on The CW before Nexstar bought the network.

MOVIES - From Collider:  Elle Fanning is in negotiations to star in "Badlands," the next film from the Predator-Prey franchise.  There apparently also a direct sequel to the 2022 film, "Prey."

STREAMING - From THR:  Oscar-nominee Paul Giamatti has signed onto starring in a TV series based on director Eli Roth's "Hostel" film series.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The hit British TV series, "Ghosts" (2019-23) begat the American hit, "Ghosts" (CBS, 2021-present).  Now, there is to be a German television adaptation.  The six-part series will join a French version that is also being developed.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Neve Campbell says that she has returned to the "Scream" franchise for "Scream 7" because the studio came back to her in a "respectful way."

STREAMING - From Variety:  The site offers the 20 best movies coming to streaming in June 2024.  Among them are Netflix's "Hitman" and "Origin" at Hulu.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/31 to 6/2/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "The Garfield Movie" with an estimated take of 14 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Billy Zane releases the first images of himself as legendary actor, Marlon Brando from the biopic, "Waltzing with Brando."  Directed by Bill Fishman, the film is set in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Actress Lily Tomlin says that she has mixed feelings about Jennifer Aniston's remake of the 1980s film, "9 to 5," the legendary comedy that starred Tomlin alongside Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton.

DISNEY/TRAILER - From Deadline:  Disney has provided a first look at "Moana 2," as well as a teaser trailer.  The film, which stars Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho, is due Nov. 27th, 2024.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film producer and screenwriter, Stephen J. Rivele, has died at the age of 75, Friday, May 17, 2024.  Rivele shared a "Best Original Screenplay" Oscar nomination with Oliver Stone and Stephen Wilkinson for Stone's 1995 biopic, "Nixon."  Rivele also co-wrote the biopic "Ali" (2001), and he was one of the writers and producers of "Birth of the Dragon" (2016).

From THR:  British-Canadian stage, screen, and television actor, Alan Scarfe, has died at the age of 77, Sunday, April 28, 2024.  He may be best known in the U.S. for playing bad guys in action films and for his appearances in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Voyager".  Scarfe appeared in such films as "Street Justice" (1987), "Iron Eagle II" (1988), "Double Impact" (1991), and "Lethal Weapon 3."

----------------

POLITICS - 

From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From Truthout:  On Thursday afternoon (May 30th, 2024), in "The People vs. Donald Trump" — the New York-based trial featuring, for the first time in United States history, an ex-president in a criminal proceeding— a jury of the former president’s peers delivered a unanimous verdict: that he was guilty of all crimes he was accused of committing. Trump becomes the first former President in US History to be convicted of a crime.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 26th to 31st, 2024 - UPDATE #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

POLITICS - From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Mike Flanagan will write, direct, and produce a radical new take on "The Exocist" for Blumhouse.  Flanagan has previously directed such films as "Oculus" (2013) and "Doctor Sleep."

NETFLIX - From THR:  Emmy-winner, Kerry Washington, has joined director Rian Johnson's third "Knives Out" film, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."  The film is due in 2025.

SPORTS/BLM - From ESPN:  Major League Baseball (MLB) has incorporated the statistics from the Negro Leagues, the professional baseball leagues that were made up of African-American baseball players.  The first Black players league formed in 1887 and the last such league, Negro American League, disbanded after the 1962 season, although some consider its 1951 season to be the last major league seasons.  The records that were incorporated into the MLB record books apparently cover six different Negro Leagues over a period from 1920 to 1948.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the three-day Memorial Day weekend (5/24 to 5/26/2024) box office is Warner Bros.' "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" with an estimated take of 25.6 million dollars.

CANNES - From Deadline:  Director Sean Baker's New York-set romantic comedy-drama, "Anora," has won the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.  It is the first American film to do so since director Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life (2011).

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal Pictures has announced a new original event film created and directed by Steven Spielberg set for May 15, 2026. Universal always had the weekend reserved for an event title.

OBITS:

From ESPN:  Television sportscaster and former American professional basketball player, Bill Walton, has died at the age of 71, Monday, May 27, 2024.  Walton won two titles as a member of the UCLA Bruins (1971-72, 1972-73).  He played for three NBA franchises: the Portland Trailblazers, where he won a title in 1976-77; the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers; and the Boston Celtics, where he won a title in 1985-86.  He became a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.  Since 1990, he'd been a television sportscaster, winning an Emmy Award in 2001.

From Deadline:  American songwriter, Richard M. Sherman, has died at the age of 95, Saturday, May 25, 2024.  Richard and his the late brother, Robert B. Sherman (1925-2012), were known as the "Sherman Brothers" and were also known for the work in musical films.  They produced more motion picture song scores than any other team.  Apparently all their music was produced for the Walt Disney Company, and Richard and Robert won two Oscars for the music the produced for Mary Poppins (1964).  Richard and Robert were named "Disney Legends" in 1990.

From Variety:  Film and television writer, producer, director, and personality, Morgan Spurlock, has died at the age of 53, Thursday, May 23, 2024.  Spurlock was best known for the 2003 documentary film, Super Size Me, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.  His career was mostly derailed after he admitted to sexual misconduct in 2017.

From Deadline:  American television entrepreneur and visionary, Patrick Gottsch, has died at the age of 70, Saturday, May 18, 2024.  In the early 1980s, he started his own home satellite installation company and also began working for a livestock auction company in the early 1990s.  Gottsch put his experiences together and launched "Rural Free Delivery Television" (RFD-TV), a 34-hour rural television network, on the DISH Network in December 2000.  Gottsch had first tried to launch RFD-TV in the late 1980s and in the 1990s, but could not get funding.  In 2017, he also launched "The Cowboy Channel," which like RFD-TV, operates under Gottsch's company, Rural Media Group.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 19th to 25th, 2024 - UPDATE #10

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Nicki Minaj‘s show in Manchester, England, was postponed after the singer was arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on suspicion of carrying marijuana.  The Grammy-nominated recording artist has since been released.

CELEBRITY - From THR:  The venerable Hollywood paper profiles hot HOT actor Glen Powell and his continuing rise up the film industry superstar ladder. 

ANIME - From JapanTimes:  Four rare anime short films from Studio Ghibli will be screened at Cannes. One of them, "Mei and the Baby Cat Bus" is a 14-minutes mini-sequel to the legendary anime film, "My Neighbor Totoro" (1989), which was directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of the studios.

CANNES - From Variety:  Netflix has bought director John Lee Hancock's drama, "Monsanto," starring Glen Powell, Anthony Mackie, and Oscar-winner, Laura Dern.

From Variety:  Director Ali Abbasi's film, "The Apprentice," a biopic of Donald Trump, has screen at Cannes.  Actor Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) plays Trump. The film has drawn attention for a controversial scenes of sex or rape - depending on point of view.

DISNEY - From EW:  "Pirates of the Caribbean" producer Jerry Bruckheimer would like to reboot the PotC franchise and also do a PotC film starring Margot Robbie.  Bruckheimer also said that he'd bring Johnny Depp back as "Captain Jack Sparrow" if it were up to him... So it's apparently not.

AI - From Variety:  "Sky," is one of the voice-enabled chatbots in OpenAI's latest release, "GPT-4o." Sky sounds like the voice Scarlett Johansson uses as the disembodied AI companion in the director Spike Jonze's 2013 film, Her.  Many people noticed, including Johansson, herself who threatened legal action.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Smith's action film, "Sugar Bandits" to be directed by Stefano Sollima, is set to start production in September. The film has sealed a number of international deals, including with Amazon Prime Video, ahead of that.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/17 to 5/19/2024 weekend box office is Paramount Pictures' "IF" with an estimated total of 35 million dollars.

CANNES - From Variety:  Cate Blanchett's new film, "Rumors," directed by Guy Maddin, is indeed named after Fleetwood Mac's iconic 1977 album.

MOVIES - From THR:  Sony's reboot of the 1997 horror film hit, "I Know What You Did Last Summer," is due "Summer 2025."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 12th to 18th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From ScreenRant:  Will Smith confirms that production is ongoing for "I Am Legend 2," and that he has had a "productive" meeting with Michael B. Jordan, his co-star.

MOVIES - From THR:  Universal has made a number of changes to and announcements concerning its 2025 horror movie slate.  That includes the following:  "Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" has received an official release date in theaters. Dec. 5, 2025. "M3GAN 2.0" moves from May 16, 2025 to June 27, 2025.  "The Black Phone 2" moves from June 27, 2025 to Oct. 17, 2025.

MOVIES - From Variety:  "Mortal Kombat 2" is set for an October 24, 2025 release date.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Junior broadcast network, "The CW," is looking to expand its reach into live sports. While that can't compete for the NFL or NBA rights, they are considering partnerships with entities like ESPN.

BUSINESS - From CBSNews:  McDonald's is considering a $5 meal deal.

From CBSNews:  Americans are choking on surging fast food prices.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Director George Miller said that there was "no excuse" for the feud between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, the stars of his 2015 hit film, "Mad Max: Fury Road."

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Steve Buscemi is the latest celebrity to be attacked on the streets of New York City.  An unknown man walked up and struck the 66-year-old actor while he was walking in a neighborhood on Manhattan's East side. Buscemi's publicist said the actor is doing ok.

CANNES - From Deadline:  Francis Ford Coppola's much-talked about film, "Megalopolis," has buyers that will distribute the film in key European markets.  Constantin Film has bought the film for distribution in Germany and all German-speaking territories, including Switzerland and Austria.  Eagle Pictures bought it for Ital.  Tripictures has the film for Spain.  Entertainment Film Distributors Limited purchased the film for the U.K.  As announced last week, Le Pacte will distribute the film in France.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/10 to 5/12/2024 Mother's Day weekend box office is 20th Century's "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" with an estimated take of 56.5 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Warner Bros. is set to release a new "Lord of the Rings" movie.  Entitled "The Hunt for Gollum", the film will focus on the tragic character, "Gollum," to be played again, by Andy Serkis.  "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit" trilogy director, Peter Jackson, and his partners, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, will produce the film and will be involved every step of the way.  Andy Serkis will direct the feature which is scheduled for 2026.

From Deadline:  Peter Jackson, Andy Serkins, and Philippa Boyens talk about their return to "Middle-Earth" for more "Lord of the Rings" films.  They also talk about how the Cannes 2001 saved the original films.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, Dabney Coleman, has died at the age of 92, Thursday, May 16, 2024.  Best known as a character actor, Coleman's best known work was in such films as "9 to 5" (1980), "On Golden Pond" (1981), "Tootsie" (1982), and "WarGames" (1983), to name a few.  He was also the lead in several short-lived TV series:  "Buffalo Bill" (NBC, 1983-84), "The Slap Maxwell Stoy" (ABC, 1987-88), "Drexell's Class" (Fox, 1991-92), and "Madman of the People" (NBC, 1994-95).  Coleman was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards and won once, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special," for his performance in the ABC made-for-TV movie, "Sworn to Silence" (1987).

From Deadline:  American alto saxophone player, jazz musician, and composer, David Sanborn, has died at the age of 78, Sunday, May 12, 2024.  According to "Discogs," Sanborn had over 800 recorded music credits, including 33 albums releases.  Sanborn also won six Grammy Awards.  He also composed the score for several films, including "Lethal Weapon 2," "Lethal Weapon 3," and "Lethal Weapon 4."

From Variety:  American film producer and director, Roger Corman, has died at the age of 98, Thursday, May 9, 2024.  According to his IMDb stats, Corman directed 55 films and produced 385 between 1954 and 2008.  With his brother, Gene Corman, Roger founded New World Pictures, a small film production and distribution company.  Corman mentored and gave starts to a number of directors who would go on to fame, including Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, John Sayles, and James Cameron, to name a few.  Future acting legend who got a start with Corman, including Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, and Dennis Hopper, to name a few.  In 2009, Corman received an honorary Academy Award.  Among Corman's most famous films are "The Big Doll House" (1971), "The Little Shop of Horrors" (1960), and "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964), to name a few.

From Deadline:  Hollywood remembers Roger Corman, including quotes from Gale Anne Hurd, William Shatner, Ron Howard, John Carpenter, and Joe Russo.

--------------------------

GAZA:

5/7/2024 - From NewYorkTimes:  The actions of police officers and counterprotesters at campus demonstrations came under further scrutiny on Tuesday, with the University of California system saying it would investigate the law enforcement response to a violent attack on pro-Palestinian protesters at its Los Angeles campus, while the White House condemned the taunting of a Black student captured in a video at the University of Mississippi.

5/4/2024 - From TheGuardian:  On the police crackdown on campus Gaza ceasefire protests: "the police are sending a message" says Dartmouth labor historian.

5/3/24 - From NBCNews:  In an interview with Kristin Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press," Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme, said she believes there is a "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 1st to 11th, 2024 - UPDATE #23

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From TelegraphUK:  Famed director George Miller talks about his upcoming film, "Furiosa," and how the film's star, Anya Taylor-Joy," only has 30 lines of dialogue.  Tom Hardy only had 63 lines in "Mad Max: Fury Road."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Actor Hiroyuki Sanada, star and producer of FX‘s limited series, "Shōgun," has closed a deal to return as "Lord Yoshii Toranaga," sources tell Deadline. Securing Sanada has been considered crucial to any plan to extend Shogun beyond its original installment.  In light of the 10-episode series' big commercial and critical success, FX is working on developing a second season.

STREAMING - From Variety:  Peacock has ordered a new version of NBC's former long-running sitcom, "The Office" (2005-13).  Greg Daniels, who developed the original series, an American version of the former BBC series, "The Office" (2001-03), is developing the new series with Michael Koman.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Olivia Wilde has signed on to join "I Want Your Sex," a film directed by Gregg Araki (The Doom Generation).

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch said Fox's upcoming sports streaming venture with Disney/ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery is forging ahead with over 150 engineers now on board dedicated “to building a unique and innovative product” for sports fans outside the traditional cable bundle.  Murdoch said that there have been beta tests and the service, which still doesn't have a name, is set to launch this fall (2024).

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Tyler Perry and Devon Franklin (“Flamin’ Hot,” “Miracles From Heaven”) are teaming up to produce faith-based films under a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal at Netflix.  The films will be produced by the duo in conjunction with Tyler Perry Studios in the latest expansion of Perry’s creative partnership at Netflix.  Perry inked as a first-look film deal in October 2023 and has broadened his deal to include scripted and unscripted TV projects.  Franklin is a producer and author known for such faith-based films as "Miracles from Heaven" and "Heaven Is for Real."

From TheRoot:  Some are a little nervous about the films that will result from Tyler Perry and Devon Franklin's faith-based film deal with Netflix - most because of Perry.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Co-creator/EP/co-star Gina Yashere and EP Matt Ross talk about what went into crafting their sentimental "Bob ❤️ Abishola" finale, the show’s legacy, and whether they regret using a heart emoji in the title.

From Deadline:  Bette Midler says that she regrets being involved with her 2000-2001 CBS sitcom, "Bette." She also says that she should have sued actress Lindsay Lohan for leaving the series after the pilot episode.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Vin Diesel is returning to the role of "Richard B. Riddick," as he begins production on the fourth film in the franchise, "Riddick: Furya," on Aug. 26th, 2024.  Riddick first appear in the film "Pitch Black."

From Variety:  Lionsgate is relaunching "The Strangers" horror movie film series with a trilogy that will be released over the next nine to twelve months.  It all starts with "The Strangers: Chapter 1" on May 17th.

SCANDAL - From TheWrap:  Dwayne Johnson's "Red One" is supposed to be a big Christmas crowd pleaser for Amazon MGM Studios, but the film has reportedly become a big budget misadventure. Johnson has also been accused of unprofessional behavior such as showing up to work as much as 8 hours late and refusing to work more than four or five hours a day.

MUSIC - From Vulture:  A timeline and an explanation of the Kendrick Lamar/Drake rap battle/feud.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/3 to 5/5/2024 weekend box office is Universal Pictures' "The Fall Guy" with an estimated take of 28.5 million dollars.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: CBS was the first broadcaster to announce its Fall 2024 schedule, so they added to that and announced its entire 2024-25 broadcast season schedule.

BUSINESS - From Deadline:   A Paramount Global board has determined that it will begin negotiations with Sony Pictures and Apollo, a private equity giant, about buying controlling interest in Paramount Global.  However, nepo baby David Ellison and his company, Skydance, are still in the mix to obtain that controlling interest.

From Deadline:  Nepo baby David Ellison's Skydance has been trying to buy out the controlling in Paramount Global with the assistance of his father Larry Ellison's Oracle and with the private equity entity, RedBird Capital. However, his month-long exclusive window to negotiate the deal. That may allow Sony Pictures and private equity giant, Apollo, to join the bidding.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  The Los Angeles Lakers are always in the news, as they are today (Fri., May 3rd) for negative reasons.  However, would you like to know "Why did the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team move to Los Angeles?"  Joel Ripple of the "Star Tribune" of Minneapolis will tell you.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The articles provides a list of premiere dates for this year's (2024) new and returning series on broadcast, cable, and streaming, beginning with the May 2nd premieres.

MOVIES - From Slate:  The site talks to director Nancy Savoca about her 1991 coming-of-age film and period drama, "Dogfight," starring the late River Phoenix and actress Lily Taylor. "Dogfight" recently joined the "Criterion Collection."

NETFLIX/ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Netflix has released a trailer for "Jurassic World: Chaos Theory."  It is the sequel to "Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous," which streamed for five seasons on Netflix from 2020 to 2022.  "Chaos Theory" is set to debut May 24th, 2024.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Netflix has given a "a premium, script-to-series commitment" to "Scooby-Doo! The Live-Action Series."  The reimagining of one of Warner Bros' top IP will come from Greg Berlanti's Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

GAZA:

5/7/2024 - From NewYorkTimes:  The actions of police officers and counterprotesters at campus demonstrations came under further scrutiny on Tuesday, with the University of California system saying it would investigate the law enforcement response to a violent attack on pro-Palestinian protesters at its Los Angeles campus, while the White House condemned the taunting of a Black student captured in a video at the University of Mississippi.

5/4/2024 - From TheGuardian:  On the police crackdown on campus Gaza ceasefire protests: "the police are sending a message" says Dartmouth labor historian.

5/3/24 - From NBCNews:  In an interview with Kristin Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press," Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme, said she believes there is a "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 21st to 30th, 2024 - UPDATE #16

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Danny and Michael Philippou, the directors of the hit horror film, "Talk To Me," are reteaming with that film's distributor, A24, for a new film, "Bring Her Back."  The film is set to star Sally Hawkins.

EMMYS - From Deadline:  I missed this, dear readers.  The nominations for the 2024 / 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Sat., June 8, 2024.

CANNES - From Variety:    Lily Gladstone,  Eva Green, Omar Sy, Ebru Ceylan, Nadine Labaki, Juan Antonio Bayona, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Kore-eda Hirokazu comprise the jury for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.  Oscar-nominee Greta Gerwig is jury president.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/26 to 4/28/2024 weekend box office is Amazon/MGM's "Challengers" (starring Zendaya) with an estimated take of 15 million dollars.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The fate of "NCIS: Hawai'i" is no longer up in the air. CBS has cancelled the series after three seasons, making the announcement yesterday, Fri., April 26th.

From Deadline:  CBS has renewed "The Equalizer" starring Queen Latifah for a fifth season.  However, the fate of "NCIS: Hawai'i" is still up in the air.

SCANDAL - From APNews:  The state Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction. The court found that the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.  The court ordered a new trial.  The 75-year-old Weinstein has been serving a 23-year sentence in the Mohawk Correctional Facility near Rome, New York.

From Variety:  Harvey Weinstein was admitted to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan on Saturdays, just two days after his 2020 New York rape conviction was overturned (Thurs., April 25th).

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Sources tell the site that actors Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Oscar-nominated Ralph Fiennes will star in the first film of the upcoming "28 Years Later" trilogy.  The new film will be directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the director and writer, respectively of the original film, "28 Days Later."

ANIMATION - From Variety: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the airing of the debut episode of Fox's long-running animated series, "Family Guy," specifically January 31, 1999.  Because it was cancelled twice, the series is currently concluding its 22nd season.  Recently voice actor, Patrick Warburton, who voices one of the series main character, paraplegic police officer, "Joe Swanson," says that his parents hate the show.  He says that his mother even tried to get "Family Guy" cancelled.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, laments the end of the 20-year-old film and television production company, Participant.  Participant was behind Guggenheim and Al Gore's Oscar-winning doc, "An Inconvenient Truth."

From Variety:  The 20-year-old film and television production company whose mission was to inspire social justice and humanitarian action, Participant (formerly Participant Media), is shutting down.  Established in 2004, Participant co-produced or co-financed a number of notable movies including the "Best Picture" Oscar winner "Spotlight," as well as Steven Spielberg’s "Lincoln" and the Oscar-winning, breakthrough documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."

MUSIC - From Deadline:  The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced.  The inductees are as follows: A Tribe Called Quest, Cher, Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band, Kool & the Gang, Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Buffett, Dionne Warwick, Norman Whitfield, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, MC5, Suzanne de Passe, and Big Mama Thornton.

POLITICS - From Salon:  "Mainstream conservatives" never really purged the fascists, according to a wonderful piece by Salon writer, Paul Rosenberg.  Rosenberg interviews David Austin Walsh about his new book, "Taking America Back: The Conservative Movement and the Far Right."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 4/19 to 4/21/2024 weekend box office is A24's "Civil War" with an estimated take of 11.1 million dollars.

MOVIES/TRAILERS - From Variety:  Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller, "Trap."  Starring Josh Hartnett, the film follows a father and daughter who attend a pop star's concert only to realize that they are at the center of a dark and sinister event.  And Hartnett's character is a serial killer known as "The Butcher."  The pop star is played by M. Night's daughter, Saleka Shyamalan, who is an actual singer-songwriter.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American television actress, Marla Adams, has died at the age of 85, Thursday, April 25, 2024.  Adams was best known for her roles as "Belle Clemens" on the former CBS soap opera, "The Secret Storm," from 1968 to 1974, and also as "Dina Abbott Mergeron" a recurring character on "The Young and the Restless," that appeared in 235 episodes on and off from 1983 to 2021.  Adams was twice nominated in the Daytime Emmy Award category of "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series," winning in 2021.

From Deadline:  British art director and production designer, Ray Chan, has died at the age of 56, Tuesday, April 23, 2024.  Chan was best known for his work in art direction, production design, and additional photography for Marvel Studios, beginning with "Thor: The Dark World" (2013) to the upcoming "Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024).  He was nominated for five Art Directors Guild Awards and won twice.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 14th to 20th, 2024 - UPDATE #19

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures was an acquisition target just eight years ago... according to rumors.  Now, comes reports that Sony Pictures Entertainment is in talks with Apollo Global Management to make a move on acquire Paramount Global.  Currently Skydance/Redbird Capital is in exclusive talkes with Paramount Global's majority shareholder, National Amusements, about taking control of Paramount.

From THR:  Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has expanded his G-United Film and Television Inc empire into Louisiana by opening "G-Unit Studios" in Shreveport. It will be an in-house production facility.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Quentin Tarantino has changed his mind about making his previously announced film, "The Movie Critic," as his 10th and final film.  He has moved onto something else... at least for the time being.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Actors from the "Scream" film franchise show up to support fired "Scream 7" actress, Melissa Barrera, at the premiere of her new film, "Abigail."

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is partnering, through his Seth MacFarlane Foundation, with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation to fund the first-ever, curated restoration of historically significant animated shorts from the 1920s to 1940s.  Nine animated pics from Max and Dave Fleischer, the founders of Fleischer Studios and the creators of Betty Boop and Koko the Clown, are among the pieces that are being restored. 

MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  Steven Spielberg says his likely next project is "a UFO film based on his own original idea."  David Koepp is reportedly writing the screenplay.  Aliens has been a frequent Spielberg theme, from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) and "E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) to "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008).

MOVIES - From Variety:  At 81, Martin Scorsese is still ready to go.  He has planned his next two projects.  The first is a film about Jesus, who could be played by Andrew Garfield or Miles Teller, and would begin shooting later this year.  The second film is a biography of legendary singer and recording artist, Frank Sinatra.  The Sinatra pic would star Leonardo DiCaprio as Sinatra and Jennifer Lawrence as his second wife, Ava Gardner.

TELEVISION - From THR:  CBS has given a formal series order, "The Gates," which follows the lives of a wealthy African-American family in a posh, gated community.  The series, which debuts January 2025, is the first Black soap opera in 35 years.

SPORTS - From NBA:  The National Basketball Association (NBA) begins its playoffs today with the first two of three Western Conference "play-in" games tonight.  The Eastern Conference play-in games start tomorrow night.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/12 to 4/14/2024 weekend box office is A24's "Civil War" with an estimated box office of 25.7 million dollars.

AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards were announced Sunday night (April 14th).  "The Holdovers" written by David Hemingson won "Original Screenplay." The film was directed by Alexander Payne.  "American Fiction" written by Nord Jefferson and based on the novel, "Erasure"by Percival Everett. The film was also directed by Jefferson.

From Deadline:  At the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards, "The Price is Right" host, Drew Carey explains why he covered the costs of striking writers meals. He said "Everybody [the screenwriters] in this room made some actor a million dollars.

From Variety:  The 76th Writers Guild of America Awards are tonight, Sun., April 14th.  Actress Niecy Nash-Betts is hosting the Los Angeles end of the ceremony, which will not be broadcast.

From FoxLA11:  Here are the nominees for the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards.  Oscar winners "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" lead the film nominees.  "Succession" leads the television categories.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Blitz Bazawule, director of the recent version of "The Color Purple," has set up his next film, "Black Samurai," at Warner Bros.  The story will follow Yasuke, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of samurai conflict in 16th century Japan.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  Actress and Grammy-winning recording  Fantasia Barrino, has set up an entertainment company, Rock Soul Productions, with live event producer and artist manager, Yvonne McNair.  It will be a full-service operation with areas in management, production, and entertainment ventures.  Fantasia will be the company's CEO and Yvonne the president.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Tim Kring is developing "Heroes: Eclipsed," a new incarnation of his former NBC superhero serial drama, "Heroes" (2006-10).  Kring also created the follow-up for NBC, "Heroes Reborn" (2015-16).

OBITS:

From THR:  The film and television actress, Barbara O. Jones, has died at the age of 82, Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  Part of the "L.A. Rebellion" movement of black filmmakers in the 1970s, Jones may be best known for her role as the prostitute who returns home, "Yellow Mary" in Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust (1991).  She also starred in Haile Gerima's "Bush Mama" (1979) and as the wife of Muhammad Ali's character in the NBC TV miniseries, "Freedom Road" (1979).  Her TV career also included roles in such series as "Wonder Woman" and "Lou Grant."

From Deadline:  British special effects artist, Roger Dicken, has died at the age of 84, Sunday, February 18, 2024.  He shared an Oscar nomination in the category of "Best Visual Effects" for his work in the 1971 film, "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth."  He did freelance work on "2001: A Space Odyssey," for which he did receive a screen credit.  Dicken worked on the "chest buster" scene in Ridley Scott's "Alien" (1979).  Dicken also worked on such films as "Scars of Dracula" (1970) and "The Hunger" (1980).

AWARDS:

NAACP/BLM - From Deadline:  The 2024 / 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards came to a close.  Grammy-winning recording artist, Usher, won the "Entertainer of the Year."  "The Color Purple" continued with wins in the category of "Outstanding Motion Picture," "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture" (Fantasia Barrino), "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" (Coleman Domingo), "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture" (Taraji P. Henson).  The film also won in five other categories.

From Variety:  The winners at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards were announced.  "Oppenheimer" took the lead with seven wins, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy), and "Best Supporting Actor" (Robert Downey, Jr.).

From Deadline:  The winners for the 2024 / 24th annual Black Reel Awards were announced Jan. 16th, 2024.  "American Fiction" took home the top honor, "Outstanding Film," one of six trophies it won. "The Color Purple" won nine trophies, the most for a musical in the history of the Black Reel Awards.

From Variety: The nominations for the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" leads with 13 nominations, and "Poor Things" follows with 11.  The winners will be announced Sun., March 10th, 2024.

From Variety:  The Producers Guild of America has announced the winners for the 2024 / 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards.  "Oppenheimer" has won the top prize, the "Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures."

From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 77th BAFTA Film Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" wins seven awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From THR:   The Directors Guild of America has announced the winners at the 2024 / 76th DGA Awards.  Christopher Nolan won the top category, "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film of 2023," for his work on his blockbuster film, "Oppenheimer."

From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 51st Annie Awards have been announced.  "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" won six, including "Best Feature."  Its predecessor, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" also won six categories, including "Best Feature."

From AwardsWatch:  The NAACP has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 55th NAACP Image Awards.  By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the 55th NAACP Image Awards’ in select categories. Voting closes February 24th at 9:00 p.m. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories March 11–14th, which will stream via naacpimageawards.net.  The winners will be revealed during the two–hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET/ PT on BET and CBS.

From THR:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the winners at the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards.  "Poor Things," "Oppenheimer," and "Saltburn" win top prizes.

From Variety:   The nominees for the 2024 / 51st Annie Awards have been announced.  Netflix's "Nimona" leads the features categories with nine nominations.  The winners will be announced Sat., Feb. 17th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association has announced the 6th Annual LEJA Awards.  "Past Lives" won "Best Picture."  Actor Coleman Domingo won "Best Actor" for his role in "Rustin" and "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in "The Color Purple."

From AwardsWatch:  The Vancouver Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The London Critics Circle announced the winners of its 44th annual film awards. "The Zone of Interest" won three awards, including "Film of the Year" and "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) has won the 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy tied with Paul Giamatti for "The Holdovers").

From Variety:  The American Cinema Editors has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 74th Annual ACE Eddie Awards.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) has named its 2023 film awards. "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won three awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Studio Film." Celine Song's "Past Lives" won three, including "Best Independent Film."

From Variety:  The Motion Picture Sound Editors has revealed the nominations for the 71st annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards in categories spanning feature film, television, animation, computer entertainment and student productions.  The winners will be announced March 3rd.

From AwardsWatch: The Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers" won four awards, including "Best Picture."

From Variety:  The Visual Effects Society has announced the nominations for the 2024 / 22nd Annual VES Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Feb. 21st.

From AwardsWatch:  The North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Music City Film Critics Association has announces it MCFCA 2023 Film Awards.  Oppenheimer won seven awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Portland Critics Association (PCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From Deadline:  The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) announced the 15th annual African-Ameri an Film Critics Awards. "American Fiction" was voted the #1 film and won four awards, including "Best Comedy." Ava DuVernay's "Origin" was voted the #2 film and won three awards, including "Best Drama." 

From Deadline:  The winners of the 2024 / 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Barbie" wins four awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) revealed the nominees for the "2024 / 38th Annual ASC Awards" with categories in feature film, documentary, television and music video categories.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) announced the winners in 21 categories for the 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards.  Director Celine Song’s "Past Lives" was named the "Best Picture of 2023."

From AwardsWatch:  The Cinema Audio Society (CAS) has announced the nominations for the 60th CAS Awards.  The winners will be announced March 2nd.

From AwardsWatch:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the nominations for the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards. The winners will be announced Feb. 10th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) has announced it 2024 ASTRA Film Awards.  "Barbie" won eight awards, including "Best Picture.

From AwardsWatch:  The Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture."

From NSFC:  The National Society of Film Critics announce its 58th annual NSFC Awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture of 2023."

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 81st Golden Globes Awards ceremony was held Sun. night, Jan. 7th, 2024.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Motion Picture-Drama," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), "Best Actor-Drama" (Cillian Murphy), and "Best Supporting Actor-Motion Pictures" (Robert Downey, Jr.). "Poor Things" won "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Deadline:  NIGHT 2 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sun., Jan. 7th, 2024.  (Former) President Barack Obama and Keke Palmer were among the winners.

From Deadline:  NIGHT 1 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sat., Jan. 6th, 2024.  HBO's "The Last of Us" lead the night with 8 wins, including wins in both "Guest Actor in a Drama Series" categories: Nick Offerman (Guest Actor) and Storm Reid (Guest Actress).

From AwardsWatch:  The 5th annual DiscussingFilm Critics Awards were announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:   The Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards. "Past Lives" won three awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Celine Song).

From AwardsWatch:  The Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven honors, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association (COFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won six awards including "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese).

From AwardsWatch:  The Costume Designers Guild (Local 892) announced the official nominees list for the 26th CDGA (Costume Designers Guild Awards). The annual CDGA ceremony will take place Wed., Feb. 21st, 2024.

From Variety:   The British Academy has unveiled the results of the first round of voting across all 24 categories for the 2024 / 77th BAFTA Film Awards.  These results are known as "the longlists."  "Barbie," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Oppenheimer" all appeared on the longlist of 15 categories.  The nominations will be announced Jan. 18th, and the winners will be announced Feb. 18th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The Critics Association of Central Florida (CACF) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won 10 awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan). 

From AwardsWatch:  U.K. Film Critics Association (UKFCA) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From Variety: The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced nominations for the 11th MUAHS Guild Awards. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 led with five mentions in the film categories and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" led with four in the television categories. The winners will be announced Sunday, February 18, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Nevada Film Critics Society has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Hayao's Miyazaki's anime film, "The Boy and the Heron" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "American Fiction" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Cord Jefferson), and Best Actor (Jeffrey Wright).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Always trying to be difficult, it named "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" the "Best Picture."  It named Martin Scorsese "Best Director" for "Killers of the Flower Moon."

From AwardsWatch:  The Dublin Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Celine Song)"

From AwardsWatch:  The North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" wins five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Southeaster Film Critics Association (SEFCA) has announces its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won six awards, including "Best Pictuere," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthmos), "Best Actress" (Emma Stone"), and "Best Supporting Actor" (Mark Ruffalo).

From AwardsWatch:  The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC) has announced it 2023 film awards.  "Poor Things" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthimos), and "Best Actress" (Emma Stone).

From AwardsWatch:  The St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) has announced its 2023 awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy)

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) has named its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture."  Oppenheimer wins six, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) has named its 2023 films awards.  "The Holdovers" wins "Best Picture."  "Oppenheimer" wins four, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) have announced their 2023 film awards.  "The Zone of Interest" wins "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (for Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," one of two awards its won.  "Oppenheimer" wins five, including a "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 2024 / 24th annual Black Reel Awards have been announced.  "The Color Purple" leads with 19 nominations.  The winners will be announced Jan. 16th, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) have named "Killers of the Flower Moon" the "Best Film" of 2023.  Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics Society have named "Oppenheimer" the "Best Picture" of 2023, with the film's director, Christopher Nolan, winning "Best Director."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2023 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," and Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From THR:   The winners at the 2023 / 49th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  The Holocaust historical drama, "The Zone of Interest," wins four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics have announced their 2023 LVFC Awards nominations.  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" are the leading vote getters.  The winners will be announced Wed., Dec. 13th.

From THR:  The winners at the 2023 European Film Awards have been announced.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won five awards including for "Best Film," "Best Director" (Justine Triet), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 National Board of Review film honors have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Film Institute (AFI) names its top ten films: American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, May December, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.  It also names its top ten television series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Beef, Jury Duty, The Last of Us, The Morning Show, Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Reservation Dogs, and Succession.

From AwardsWatch:  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" lead the nominations for "Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards," which are put on by the "Hollywood Creative Alliance" (formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association).  The winners will be announced Jan. 6th, 2024 in Los Angeles.

From Deadline:  At the 2023 / 26th British Independent Film Awards, director Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" won seven awards, including "Best British Independent Film."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 89th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) was named "Best Film of 2023."  Christopher Nolan won "Best Director" for his film, "Oppenheimer."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th.  Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

BEST PICTURE COUNT:

All of Us Strangers: 1

American Fiction: 3

Anatomy of a Fall: 2

Barbie: 2

The Boy and the Heron: 1

The Holdovers: 2

Killers of the Flower Moon: 9

Oppenheimer: 24

Past Lives: 9

Poor Things: 4

The Zone of Interest: 3

-------------------