Support Leroy on Patreon.
NEWS:
From HitFix: The movies Spielberg wishes he'd made.
---------------
From ChicagoMagazine: Spike Lee: Rahm Emanuel tried to bully me.
---------------
From Deadline: George Clooney set to direct a script by Joel and Ethan Coen.
---------------
From Variety: R.J. Cyler of "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" is the "Blue Ranger" in the Lionsgate reboot.
---------------
From GoldDerby: An article about best animated feature dark horse, Anomalisa.
From Variety: Fox is apparently re-imagining "Rocky Horror Picture Show" as a TV special. Laverne Cox of "Orange in the New Black" has been cast as "Frank-N-Furter."
---------------
From Variety: Chris Rock may host the 88th Oscar ceremony.
---------------
From CinemaBlend: Fox may have found a director for its future box office disappointment, Gambit, an X-Men film starring Channing Tatum. That might be Doug Liman.
---------------
From TheWrap: Oscar and multiple-Grammy winner Adele teases new music? First album in five years supposed to hit in November
----------------
From BoxOfficeMojo: "Goosebumps" wins the 10/16 to 10/18/2015 weekend box office with an estimated take of $23.5 million.
COMICS: Titles and Films:
From CinemaBlend: Marvel's next wide idea.
---------------
From TheWrap: David Goyer is developing a TV show about Superman's home planet, Krypton, for the Syfy Channel.
---------------
From Empire: "Ant-Man" director, Peyton Reed, is in negotiations to return for the 2018 film, "Ant-man and the Wasp."
---------------
From CinemaBlend: "Ant-Man" is a big hit in China.
STAR WARS:
From YahooNews: 112 views in 24 hours.
---------------
From CinemaBlend: The final trailer is here.
TRAILERS and PREVIEWS:
From YouTube: See the new trailer for David O. Russell's "Joy" starring Jennifer Lawrence.
Showing posts with label Chris Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Rock. Show all posts
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Chris Rock to Host 88th Academy Awards Ceremony in Feb. 2016
Chris Rock Returns To Host The Oscars®
Multi-hyphenate artist and filmmaker Chris Rock will return to host the Oscars® for a second time, producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced today. The 88th Academy Awards® will be broadcast live on Oscar® Sunday, February 28, 2016, on the ABC Television Network. Rock previously hosted the 77th Oscars telecast in 2005.
“Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry,” said Hill and Hudlin. “Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!”
“I'm so glad to be hosting the Oscars,” said Rock. “It's great to be back.”
“We share David and Reggie’s excitement in welcoming Chris, whose comedic voice has really defined a generation,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “He is certain to bring his amazing array of talents to this year’s show.”
“Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the Oscars.”
"Chris Rock is a comedic powerhouse who will bring tremendous energy to the event, and we’re honored to have him,” said Paul Lee, President ABC Entertainment Group.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Rock most recently directed the comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” which premiered this month on HBO. In 2014 he wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed feature “Top Five,” and in 2009 ventured into the documentary world as a writer, producer and star of “Good Hair.”
Rock has enjoyed ongoing success in both film and television as a comedian, actor, writer, producer and director. His feature acting credits include “I Think I Love My Wife,” which he also wrote and directed, “Head of State” (writer, producer and director), “Death at a Funeral” (also producer), and the first three films in the blockbuster “Madagascar” series, as the voice of Marty. His other acting credits include “The Longest Yard,” “Nurse Betty,” “2 Days in New York” and “Lethal Weapon 4.” In 2011 Rock made his Broadway debut starring in “The Motherfucker with the Hat,” which was nominated for six Tony Awards®, including Best Play. In television, Rock created, executive produced and narrated the series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which ran from 2005 to 2009 and was inspired by Rock’s childhood. He was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1990 to 1993.
Known internationally for his groundbreaking stand-up comedy, Rock has won four Emmy® Awards for his comedy series and specials, including “Chris Rock – Kill the Messenger,” “The Chris Rock Show” and “Chris Rock: Bring the Pain,” and has achieved record audience numbers around the world. He also has earned three Grammy® Awards for his comedy albums Never Scared, Bigger and Blacker and Roll with the New.
The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
---------------------
Multi-hyphenate artist and filmmaker Chris Rock will return to host the Oscars® for a second time, producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced today. The 88th Academy Awards® will be broadcast live on Oscar® Sunday, February 28, 2016, on the ABC Television Network. Rock previously hosted the 77th Oscars telecast in 2005.
“Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry,” said Hill and Hudlin. “Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!”
“I'm so glad to be hosting the Oscars,” said Rock. “It's great to be back.”
“We share David and Reggie’s excitement in welcoming Chris, whose comedic voice has really defined a generation,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “He is certain to bring his amazing array of talents to this year’s show.”
“Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the Oscars.”
"Chris Rock is a comedic powerhouse who will bring tremendous energy to the event, and we’re honored to have him,” said Paul Lee, President ABC Entertainment Group.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Rock most recently directed the comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” which premiered this month on HBO. In 2014 he wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed feature “Top Five,” and in 2009 ventured into the documentary world as a writer, producer and star of “Good Hair.”
Rock has enjoyed ongoing success in both film and television as a comedian, actor, writer, producer and director. His feature acting credits include “I Think I Love My Wife,” which he also wrote and directed, “Head of State” (writer, producer and director), “Death at a Funeral” (also producer), and the first three films in the blockbuster “Madagascar” series, as the voice of Marty. His other acting credits include “The Longest Yard,” “Nurse Betty,” “2 Days in New York” and “Lethal Weapon 4.” In 2011 Rock made his Broadway debut starring in “The Motherfucker with the Hat,” which was nominated for six Tony Awards®, including Best Play. In television, Rock created, executive produced and narrated the series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which ran from 2005 to 2009 and was inspired by Rock’s childhood. He was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1990 to 1993.
Known internationally for his groundbreaking stand-up comedy, Rock has won four Emmy® Awards for his comedy series and specials, including “Chris Rock – Kill the Messenger,” “The Chris Rock Show” and “Chris Rock: Bring the Pain,” and has achieved record audience numbers around the world. He also has earned three Grammy® Awards for his comedy albums Never Scared, Bigger and Blacker and Roll with the New.
The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
---------------------
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Everything's Peachy... if by "Peachy" You Mean Hemlock - 2015 - Updated #87
There's no "race problem" in America. We all have black friends. I even have more than I need. [I call some of them relatives.] Dr. King's dream has not become a nightmare. It's become a dytopian vision of future that simply dresses the dark past in new fangled rags. - Leroy 16, Aug. 2014
From TheDailyBeast: Fear of a dominant black woman, as seen in Serena Williams.
From Truthout: In praise of Bree Newsome.
From TheAtlantic: Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Confederate flag.
From TheWashingtonPost: Baltimore cop talks a horror show.
From TIME via RSN: Baltimore is just the beginning.
From RSN: Outrageous reasons cops gave for killing unarmed citizens.
From Truthout: Swimming while black.
From Truthout: Black and the U.S. military.
From GuardianUK: Banks targeted Black people with bad term loans - I think Rev. Jesse Jackson revealed this over a decade ago.
From Bloomberg: How many indeed.
---------------
From TheAtlantic: Take it down now - Ta'Nehisis Coates preaches!
From Truthout: Two ways racists kill.
From TheDailyBeast: John Oliver says "Kill the Confederate Flag."
From Intercept: Only Muslims can be terrorists and not a white boy who slaughtered 9 Black people.
From GuardianUK: Jesse Jackson says we need more than prayer in the wake of Emanuel AME shooting.
From YahooPolitics: Denmark Vesey, an American hero, finally gets a statue.
From TheNewYorker: Charleston and the age of Obama.
From YahooNews: I wouldn't forgive Dylann Roof, him or his Klanly... err... family.
From SPLC: Southern Poverty Law Center statement on Emanuel AME shooting.
From YahooNews: South Carolina State Senator, pastor Clementa Pinckney, among victims at Emanuel AME Church shooting.
From GuardianUK: More on Pastor Pinckney.
From YahooNews: What Dylann Roof said to his victims in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
---------------
From TheDailyBeast: More pool trouble for Black children; this time in Ohio.
From the GuardianUK: Witnesses contradict Tamir Rice's killer, Cleveland PD officer Timothy Loehmann.
From YahooNews: New documents on Tamir Rice shooting in Cleveland.
From RSN: Obama remembers what happened to MLK.
From GuardianUK: Don't buy the "Ferguson Effect."
From RSN: Baltimore explained.
From TheGuardian: Wal-Mart: where white cops go to shoot black men, and this one is on his second killing.
From AlJazeera: Mexico's brothel state.
From RSN: Relatives of people killed by cops speak out.
From WashPost: Funny: some pro-law and order talking heads insisted that the number of people being shot be cops was falling fast.
From BuzzFlash: 40 reasons our jails are full of Black and poor people.
From TPM: White fragility.
From YahooNews: 30 years on Alabama death row for nothing.
From the WashingtonPost: DEA steals $16,000 from a young black businessman.
From Truthout: Police don't see black children's lives as the future, but as disposable.
From TheGuardian: Cops stop black guys in nice cars - Chris Rock.
From Haaretz: Black is being oppressed anywhere there is white superiority - even in Israel.
From ThePlayersTribune: Go ahead and put a cap in that ass, David Ortiz.
From the GuardianUK: Justice for Arfee... It will make you laugh-cry.
From BuzzFlash: Anti-gay Christian bigots attack Disney/ABC Family about a proposed TV series in which gay rights activist Dan Savage is a writer.
From Truthout: The school voucher rackets begins to serve its intended purpose.
From RSN: FBI convicted a man using hair analysis, but it was a dog's hair.
From SFGate: Cornell West on more shootings.
From GuardianUK: Elton John and Michael Stipe on the danger of the silence around the abuse of transgender prisoners.
From YahooNews: After a black woman wins mayoral election, white cops and politicians flee town. Hilarious.
From GuardianUK: The black guy dies at the end. The white guy knows why.
From TIME: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar asks who will lead Black Americans.
From WashPost: In 2004, Texas executed a man for the arson murder of his three young daughters. He may have been innocent. Now, the prosecutor of that case is facing misconduct charges.
From FreeThoughtProject: DEA does not enforce drug laws in rich communities...
From TheGuardian: Yes, White outrage at Walter Scott shooting is not enough.
From Truthout: Hip hop and Palestine.
From BuzzFlash: Accusations of being Jewish, then a suicide - strange goings in Missouri GOP.
From RSN: The roots of American racism run deep. Sho' nuff.
From Quartz: The power of Chris Rock's police-stop selfies.
From AmsterdamNews: Mumia is in a diabetic coma.
From TheNewYorker: Seymour Hersh returns to My Lai.
From Mashable: Banksy in Gaza.
From BuzzFlash: The American terrorism of lynching.
From YahooSports: College baseball player loses his gig for ugly thing he said about Little League World Series heroine, Mo'ne Davis.
From NPR via RSN: A Black Mississippi judge's speech to three white murderers of a black man.
From NPR: The power of Malcolm X as a public speaker.
From YahooNews: ESPN's Steven A. Smith encourages Blacks to vote Republican in an argument that is familiar.
From Time: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on MLK Day.
From RSN: "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Dr. Martin Luther King
From RSN: Free speech in France... except for Muslim students.
From the WashingtonPost: I didn't believe this statistic until I started working at LSU Graphic Services, when I discovered how many semi-literate white people held positions for which they were unqualified - as per the official requirements for their jobs. Some made more money than Black employees with college degrees, and more shockingly, and also instructors and professors.
From YahooNews: A Univision personality is fired for comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to Planet of the Apes.
From BuzzFlash: Black man in Louisiana gets over 13 years for pot.
From AlJazeeraAmerica: We need the Black Panthers.
From TheGuardian: "The disappeared: Chicago police detain Americans at abuse-laden 'black site' "
From DemocracyNow: Malcolm X remembered 50 years after his assassination.
From RSN: Americans need fair housing free of discrimination, says Richard Trumka
From Truthout: Update on Marissa Alexander who could not stand her ground in Florida as George Zimmerman.
From the NationalPost: In Quebec, a young woman was locked in the back of a police truck with a man who then, raped here.
From NPR: There is also a war on Black girls.
From ConsortiumNews: How Jefferson Davis' name is synonymous with violence against African-Americans, especially in the form of lynching.
From AlJazeera: In Hollywood, black lives don't matter (related to Oscars' snub of "Selma")
From Truthout: Everything is not peach in LGBT equality.
From YahooSports: The story of Brian Banks - falsely accused of rape, his college football and NFL dreams were destroyed. Now, he works for the NFL.
From AlJazeera: 2014 is the year that the myth of equality under the law in America was exposed.
From CrooksandLiars: More on the white man who shot the Black chief of police and got away with it. By the way, a bulletproof vest saved the police chief's life.
From YahooNews: South Florida cops shooting at mug shots of Black men.
From TheGuardian: Yeah, why did they?
From TIME: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The police aren't under attack...
From BuzzFlash: Yes, the media does seem reluctant to call white supremacists and Christian fundamentalists terrorists when they commit acts of terrorists.
From Truthout: The modern day lynching of Rev. Edward Pickney in Michigan.
From LATimes: Exonerated and broke.
From AlterNet: A great review of the new film, Selma.
From YahooParenting: 7 things I can do that my black son can't.
From CNN: I remember hearing about Macy's racial profiling case, but not this one involving "Treme" actor, Robert Brown.
From TheDailyBeast: Fear of a dominant black woman, as seen in Serena Williams.
From Truthout: In praise of Bree Newsome.
From TheAtlantic: Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Confederate flag.
From TheWashingtonPost: Baltimore cop talks a horror show.
From TIME via RSN: Baltimore is just the beginning.
From RSN: Outrageous reasons cops gave for killing unarmed citizens.
From Truthout: Swimming while black.
From Truthout: Black and the U.S. military.
From GuardianUK: Banks targeted Black people with bad term loans - I think Rev. Jesse Jackson revealed this over a decade ago.
From Bloomberg: How many indeed.
---------------
From TheAtlantic: Take it down now - Ta'Nehisis Coates preaches!
From Truthout: Two ways racists kill.
From TheDailyBeast: John Oliver says "Kill the Confederate Flag."
From Intercept: Only Muslims can be terrorists and not a white boy who slaughtered 9 Black people.
From GuardianUK: Jesse Jackson says we need more than prayer in the wake of Emanuel AME shooting.
From YahooPolitics: Denmark Vesey, an American hero, finally gets a statue.
From TheNewYorker: Charleston and the age of Obama.
From YahooNews: I wouldn't forgive Dylann Roof, him or his Klanly... err... family.
From SPLC: Southern Poverty Law Center statement on Emanuel AME shooting.
From YahooNews: South Carolina State Senator, pastor Clementa Pinckney, among victims at Emanuel AME Church shooting.
From GuardianUK: More on Pastor Pinckney.
From YahooNews: What Dylann Roof said to his victims in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
---------------
From TheDailyBeast: More pool trouble for Black children; this time in Ohio.
From the GuardianUK: Witnesses contradict Tamir Rice's killer, Cleveland PD officer Timothy Loehmann.
From YahooNews: New documents on Tamir Rice shooting in Cleveland.
From RSN: Obama remembers what happened to MLK.
From GuardianUK: Don't buy the "Ferguson Effect."
From RSN: Baltimore explained.
From TheGuardian: Wal-Mart: where white cops go to shoot black men, and this one is on his second killing.
From AlJazeera: Mexico's brothel state.
From RSN: Relatives of people killed by cops speak out.
From WashPost: Funny: some pro-law and order talking heads insisted that the number of people being shot be cops was falling fast.
From BuzzFlash: 40 reasons our jails are full of Black and poor people.
From TPM: White fragility.
From YahooNews: 30 years on Alabama death row for nothing.
From the WashingtonPost: DEA steals $16,000 from a young black businessman.
From Truthout: Police don't see black children's lives as the future, but as disposable.
From TheGuardian: Cops stop black guys in nice cars - Chris Rock.
From Haaretz: Black is being oppressed anywhere there is white superiority - even in Israel.
From ThePlayersTribune: Go ahead and put a cap in that ass, David Ortiz.
From the GuardianUK: Justice for Arfee... It will make you laugh-cry.
From BuzzFlash: Anti-gay Christian bigots attack Disney/ABC Family about a proposed TV series in which gay rights activist Dan Savage is a writer.
From Truthout: The school voucher rackets begins to serve its intended purpose.
From RSN: FBI convicted a man using hair analysis, but it was a dog's hair.
From SFGate: Cornell West on more shootings.
From GuardianUK: Elton John and Michael Stipe on the danger of the silence around the abuse of transgender prisoners.
From YahooNews: After a black woman wins mayoral election, white cops and politicians flee town. Hilarious.
From GuardianUK: The black guy dies at the end. The white guy knows why.
From TIME: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar asks who will lead Black Americans.
From WashPost: In 2004, Texas executed a man for the arson murder of his three young daughters. He may have been innocent. Now, the prosecutor of that case is facing misconduct charges.
From FreeThoughtProject: DEA does not enforce drug laws in rich communities...
From TheGuardian: Yes, White outrage at Walter Scott shooting is not enough.
From Truthout: Hip hop and Palestine.
From BuzzFlash: Accusations of being Jewish, then a suicide - strange goings in Missouri GOP.
From RSN: The roots of American racism run deep. Sho' nuff.
From Quartz: The power of Chris Rock's police-stop selfies.
From AmsterdamNews: Mumia is in a diabetic coma.
From TheNewYorker: Seymour Hersh returns to My Lai.
From Mashable: Banksy in Gaza.
From BuzzFlash: The American terrorism of lynching.
From YahooSports: College baseball player loses his gig for ugly thing he said about Little League World Series heroine, Mo'ne Davis.
From NPR via RSN: A Black Mississippi judge's speech to three white murderers of a black man.
From NPR: The power of Malcolm X as a public speaker.
From YahooNews: ESPN's Steven A. Smith encourages Blacks to vote Republican in an argument that is familiar.
From Time: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on MLK Day.
From RSN: "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Dr. Martin Luther King
From RSN: Free speech in France... except for Muslim students.
From the WashingtonPost: I didn't believe this statistic until I started working at LSU Graphic Services, when I discovered how many semi-literate white people held positions for which they were unqualified - as per the official requirements for their jobs. Some made more money than Black employees with college degrees, and more shockingly, and also instructors and professors.
From YahooNews: A Univision personality is fired for comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to Planet of the Apes.
From BuzzFlash: Black man in Louisiana gets over 13 years for pot.
From AlJazeeraAmerica: We need the Black Panthers.
From TheGuardian: "The disappeared: Chicago police detain Americans at abuse-laden 'black site' "
From DemocracyNow: Malcolm X remembered 50 years after his assassination.
From RSN: Americans need fair housing free of discrimination, says Richard Trumka
From Truthout: Update on Marissa Alexander who could not stand her ground in Florida as George Zimmerman.
From the NationalPost: In Quebec, a young woman was locked in the back of a police truck with a man who then, raped here.
From NPR: There is also a war on Black girls.
From ConsortiumNews: How Jefferson Davis' name is synonymous with violence against African-Americans, especially in the form of lynching.
From AlJazeera: In Hollywood, black lives don't matter (related to Oscars' snub of "Selma")
From Truthout: Everything is not peach in LGBT equality.
From YahooSports: The story of Brian Banks - falsely accused of rape, his college football and NFL dreams were destroyed. Now, he works for the NFL.
From AlJazeera: 2014 is the year that the myth of equality under the law in America was exposed.
From CrooksandLiars: More on the white man who shot the Black chief of police and got away with it. By the way, a bulletproof vest saved the police chief's life.
From YahooNews: South Florida cops shooting at mug shots of Black men.
From TheGuardian: Yeah, why did they?
From TIME: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The police aren't under attack...
From BuzzFlash: Yes, the media does seem reluctant to call white supremacists and Christian fundamentalists terrorists when they commit acts of terrorists.
From Truthout: The modern day lynching of Rev. Edward Pickney in Michigan.
From LATimes: Exonerated and broke.
From AlterNet: A great review of the new film, Selma.
From YahooParenting: 7 things I can do that my black son can't.
From CNN: I remember hearing about Macy's racial profiling case, but not this one involving "Treme" actor, Robert Brown.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
The Killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson - May 2015 Edition - Update #30
From Politico: Policing scandals threaten to overwhelm the Justice Department... Ha!
From TheVox: For me, it's not so much the picture, but the future behavior of the two cops in the photo.
From teleSUR: Beyonce and Jay Z post bail for "Black Lives Matter."
From GuardianUK: A Klan jury... I mean grand jury actually indcits all six killer cops involved in the death of Freddie Gray.
From DemocracyNow: Matt Taibbi on police engaging in an endless campaign of harassment.
From Esquire: What the Cleveland PD had planned to do to Tamir Rice... after they'd already killed him.
From YahooNews: He stood on the hood of car and fired 49 shots through the windshield at two unarmed occupants and the judge acquitted him.
From YahooNews: Why aren't the bikers who got into a gun battle with cops after rioting amongst themselves called "thugs?" Hmm...
From GuardianUK: Obama combats the militarization of American police departments.
From YahooNews: As far as I'm concerned, these guys have been coddled by law enforcement for too long, either that or law enforcement is afraid of them.
From RSN: Miami cops sent racists and pornographic emails? They're just showing their true colors.
From the New York Times via RSN: Police unions experience the loss of their privileged position.
From GuardianUK: Brian Rice, one of the Baltimore cops charged in the death of Freddie Gray, has twice had his police weapons confiscated because of behavior.
--------------
From TheDailyBeast: George Zimmerman's blood feud.
From YahooNews: Almost there...
--------------
From TheGuardian: New Attorney General Loretta Lynch opens federal probe of Baltimore PD.
From the ACLU: The group likes the city of Newark's cop watch accountability board.
From BuzzFeed: Racist emails by San Francisco cops causes a review of 3000 arrest.
From the SacramentoBee: California state senators seek to keep grand juries from investigating cases in which people are killed by police excessive force.
From GuardianUK: Reporters get beat-downs and locked-up covering Freddie Gray protests.
From TheDailyBeast: Cops can't stop stopping Chris Rock.
From TIME: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Walter Scott.
From Truthout: Mumia on Walter Scott shooting.
From RollingStone: Matt Taibbi on how cell phones are changing the narrative.
From TPM: How to destroy a black life.
From teleSUR: That number, in six years, may exceed the number of lynchings over a 100-year period.
From Alternet: Racists pretending to be Baltimore protestors.
From TheBaltimoreSun: Six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray - officers' arrest photos with specific charges.
From RSN: The terrorism we suffer from police - Morgan Freeman.
From TheVillageVoice: In light of Freddie Gray, New York's "antiquated" knife law.
From RSN: Baltimore explained.
From RSN: Cop beats his wife at Chicago PD black site, Homan Square.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Review: "Top Five" is Chris Rock's Woody Allen Thing
Top Five (2014)
Running time: 102 minutes (1 hour, 42 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong sexual content, nudity, crude humor, language throughout and some drug
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Chris Rock
PRODUCERS: Eli Bush, Barry Diller, and Scott Rudin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Manuel Alberto Claro
EDITOR: Anne McCabe
COMPOSERS: Ludwig Göransson and Ahmir-Khalib “Questlove” Thompson
Black Reel Award winner
COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE
Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, J.B. Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Romany Malco, Cedric the Entertainer, Ben Vereen, Sherri Shepherd, Jay Pharoah, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Hassan Johnson, Tichina Arnold, Luis Guzman, Kevin Hart, Olga Merediz, Laurissa Romain, Miriam Colon, Charlie Rose, Bruce Bruce, Taraji P. Henson, Gabourey Sidibe, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, DMX, Jim Norton, and Jerry Seinfeld
Top Five is a 2014 comedy-drama and romance from writer-director Chris Rock. Rock stars as a comedian who is trying to make it as a serious actor, while his fiancée is turning their upcoming wedding into a reality-television event. Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Jay-Z, is a co-producer on this film.
Top Five focuses on Andre Allen (Chris Rock). He had a successful career as a stand-up comedian, and later became a box office star with his hit movie franchise, Hammy The Bear, which yielded three films. Now, Allen is trying to become a serious actor with a new film, Uprize, in which he portrays Dutty Boukman, a prominent figure in the Haitian Revolution.
Allen is also engaged to marry reality-TV star, Erica Long (Gabrielle Union). The wedding planning, the bachelor party, the wedding itself, and even the honeymoon are going to be reality-television programming on the cable network, Bravo. While dealing with the headache of a big wedding, Allen is also busy promoting Uprize, so he grudgingly agrees to a probing interview with The New York Times. Allen is surprised to find himself opening up to Times reporter, Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), but Brown isn't quite being upfront about her intentions.
In Top Five, Chris Rock has delivered a film that recalls the films of Woody Allen. Like Allen, Rock uses comedy to probe the inner recesses of the lead character's mind, faults, shortcomings, and foibles. Also like Allen, Rock uses romance to bring together two conflicted people, whose motivations and yearnings are similar to one another, but are also in conflict with one another.
The drama comes into Top Five because, even with the crazy scenarios and embarrassing moments and revelations, the story takes everything seriously. The sublime and the ridiculous cannot exist without each other, and stupidity does not absolve one of being honest with oneself.
Rock delivers a solid performance, and he only plays himself half the time in the film. Rosario Dawson shows both dramatic and romance-comedy chops. Wow, she is good, and I can't help but think that if she were a white girl that she would have headlined big-time romantic comedies ages ago. Katherine Heigl and Kate Hudson aren't better than Dawson.
J.B. Smoove is smooth, and Cedric the Entertainer kills it and then some in a cameo role. Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, and Jerry Seinfeld appear together near the end of the film and are a treat, especially Seinfeld, who is a riot. In fact, a number of comic actors and comedians (including Tracy Morgan) make cameo appearances or have bit parts in this movie, and they do their best to make Top Five a must-see movie.
The Hollywood trade press is reporting that producer Scott Rudin wants Chris Rock to quickly make a non-sequel follow-up to Top Five, bringing back some of the cast of this film. This movie is going to be a hard act to follow. Top Five is Rock's best directorial effort to date, and it is one of the best films of 2014. Rock should have received an Oscar nomination for Top Five's screenplay.
9 of 10
A+
Saturday, April 11, 2015
NOTES:
2015 Black Reel Awards: 1 win: “Outstanding Screenplay (Original or Adapted), Motion Picture” (Chris Rock); 6 nominations: “Outstanding Motion Picture” (Scott Rudin and Eli Bush), “Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture” (Chris Rock), “Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture” (Rosario Dawson), “Outstanding Director, Motion Picture” (Chris Rock), “Outstanding Ensemble” (Victoria Thomas), and “Outstanding Original Song (Ahmir-Khalib Thompson-performer and writer and Eliza Colby-performer and writer for the song, “It Ain't Easy”)
2015 Image Awards: 2 nominations: “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture” (Cedric the Entertainer) and “Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture” (Chris Rock)
The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for April 1st to 4th, 2015 - Updated #6
NEWS:
From THR: "The Muppet Show," which ran from 1976 to 1981 could be revived by ABC.
-------------------
From YahooCelebrity: Chris Rock documents his experience with racial profiling and driving-while-black (DWB).
-------------------
From SlashFilm: Clint Eastwood's name has come up in connection with the Leonardo DiCaprio-Jonah Hill "Richard Jewel" project.
COMICS: Books and Films:
From CBR: First photos from "Deadpool" film.
-------------------
From ComicBookMovie: A supposed look at Wolverine's costume in "X-Men: Age of Apocalypse."
--------------------
From CinemaBlend: First trailer for "Batman Vs. Superman" to debut with Mad Max: Fury Road (May 15, 2015).
---------------------
From CinemaBlend: Brit actor, Ben Hardy, could be "Angel" in X-Men: Apocalypse.
STAR WARS:
From ScreenRant: New rumors about the villains in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
TRAILERS AND PREVIEWS:
From YouTube: Second "Poltergeist" trailer is up.
---------------------
From YouTube: New trailer for Melissa McCarthy comedy, Spy.
REVIEWS:
From VillageVoice: Stephanie Zacharek reviews "Furious 7."
---------------------
From VillageVoice: Alan Scherstuhl reviews The Who documentary, "Lambert & Stamp."
Friday, March 27, 2015
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of March 22nd to 28th, 2015 - Update #19
NEWS:
From BleedingCool: The show is called "Fear The Walking Dead."
---------------
From TheVerge: A connected universe of multiple Transformers movies... No, it's not April Fool's Day yet...
----------------
From Indiewire: Bradley Cooper is now reportedly set to direct that A Star is Born remake that Clint Eastwood abandoned.
----------------
From Deadline: Those darned Negroes, taking jobs from Caucasian actors!
From Vulture: Then, scorn followed that Deadline article.
----------------
From YahooMovies: Steven Spielberg signs to direct sci-fi novel to film for Warner Bros.
----------------
From YahooMovies: Who can get $20 million a film.
-----------------
From YahooMovies: Born in New Zealand, Russell Crowe still can't get Australian citizen, although he has lived in the country since he was four.
------------------
From THR: The winner of the March 20th to 22nd, 2015 weekend box office is Insurgent with an estimated take of $54 million dollars in its debut weekend.
------------------
From SoundonSight: Chris Rock is working on to a follow-up to the well-received Top Five (of which I will post a review soon). Producer Scott Rudin wants some of the cast of Top Five back for the new film, which will not be a sequel.
------------------
From YahooCelebrity: Michelle Rodriguez talks about her grief over the death of her "Fast & Furious" franchise costar.
COMICS: Titles and Movies:
From YahooGames: Ryan Reynolds tweets first image of his Deadpool costume for next year's "Deadpool" film.
----------------
From Comicvine: Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor - first look.
----------------
From TheVerge: The Avengers comic book has a new look and a new team.
----------------
From CinemaBlend: Tyrese Gibson hints that his is the new Green Lantern.
-----------------
From YahooGames: New "Fantastic Four" movie poster is revealed.
-----------------
From CinemaBlend: In the upcoming Ant-Man, Scott Lang may be depicted as a straight-up criminal, something that Marvel had recently played down.
------------------
From Vulture: The Russo Brothers, the directors of Captain America: Winter Soldier and its sequel, Civil War, will reportedly director the two Avengers: Infinity Wars films.
------------------
From YahooTV: Jennifer Lawrence says that her stint as Mystique in the X-Men is coming to an end.
-------------------
From CinemaBlend: The movie Spider-Man may indeed by Peter Parker... sadly.
-------------------
From YahooTech: The plot of "Captain America 3?"
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of March 1st to March 7th, 2015 - Update #13
NEWS:
From YahooMovies: Why should Sean Penn apologize for a joke aimed at a close friend, even if it was at the Oscars?
------------------
From HuffPost: Neill Blomkamp reveals concept art for his in-development "Alien" film, and says what he does not want to happen to that film.
------------------
From THR: Disney is producing a live-action Beauty and the Beast... running out of ideas.
------------------
From YahooMovies: Chris Rock is highly critical of the 2013 Jackie Robinson biopic, 42.
-------------------
From TheHollywoodReporter: The winner of the Feb. 27th to March 1st, 2015 box office is Focus, starring Will Smith, with an estimated take of $19.1 million.
-------------------
From TheHollywoodReporter: Leonardo DiCaprio moves ahead with "The Crowded Room." This is an old project. I remember when the late Premiere magazine described it as James Cameron's "next project" back in the 1990s.
--------------------
From TheHollywoodReporter: Michelle Rodriguez doesn't know better, since she has been one of the more privileged Latina actresses. I wonder if she was also drunk when she made this statement.
COMIC BOOKS:
From YahooTV: Jada Pinkett Smith is leaving "Gotham."
---------------
From YahooTV: CBS's Supergirl's costume is revealed.
-----------------
From CinemaBlend: CBS keeps adding to cast of its "Supergirl" show.
-----------------
From Comicvine: A new trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron.
-----------------
From YahooGames: Drew Goddard will writer and direct Spider-Man reboot... or not.
-----------------
From IGN: Josh Trank explains casting Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm and the darker tone of his Fantastic Four movie.
STAR WARS:
From ScreenRant: Rumors about the second Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer.
--------------------
From io9: What Ahsoka's appearance in Star Wars Rebels means.
-----------------
From FlickeringMyth: New rumors about Luke Skywalker's role in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
OBITS:
From THR: The actress, Lynn Borden, had died at the age of 77. Borden was known for playing the young wife and mother, Barbara Baxter, on the fifth and final season of the 1960s sitcom, "Hazel." We send our condolences to her family.
-----------------
From THR: The actor, Daniel von Bargen, died at the age of 64. He was best known for his role as Mr. Kruger, George Costanza's imbecile of a boss, on the last season of "Seinfeld." I remember him for his role as the super-scary, Nix, in Clive Barker's Lord of Illusionx.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
"Selma" Dominates 2015 Black Reel Awards - Complete Winners List
The Black Reel Awards annually honor African-Americans in feature, independent, and television film. The awards also take notice of the work in film by people of color throughout the African Diaspora. The awards were launched in 2000, and this is the 15th year the awards will be handed out. The Black Reel Awards are now given out by the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF).
The 15th Annual Black Reel Awards winners were announced on Friday, February 20, 2015. The Black Reel Awards are comprised of more than 60 voters across the country. The voters annually select and spotlight films and performances featuring African-Americans, as well as people of color throughout the African Diaspora.
Selma won 8 awards, tying the film with last year's 12 Years a Slave for the most Black Reel Award wins in a single year.
2015 / 15th Annual Black Reel Awards Winners:
Outstanding Motion Picture
Selma | Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner & Christian Colson (Paramount)
Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture
David Oyelowo | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture
Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Belle (Fox Searchlight)
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture
Wendell Pierce | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture
Carmen Ejogo | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Director, Motion Picture
Ava DuVernay | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Screenplay, Motion Picture
Chris Rock | Top Five (Paramount)
Outstanding Documentary
Anita: Speaking Truth to the Power | Freida Lee Mock
Outstanding Ensemble (Awarded to Casting Directors)
Selma | Aisha Coley (Paramount)
Outstanding Foreign Film
Fishing Without Nets (Kenya) | Cutter Hodierne (Drafthouse Films)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Tyler James Williams | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Teyonah Parris | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)
Outstanding Voice Performance
Morgan Freeman | The LEGO Movie (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Score
Jason Moran | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Original Song
“Glory” from Selma | Performed by: John Legend & Common;
Written by: John Legend, Common & Che Smith (Paramount)
INDEPENDENT:
Outstanding Independent Feature
The Retrieval | Chris Eska
Outstanding Independent Documentary
25 to Life | Mark Brown
Outstanding Independent Short
#AmeriCan | Nate Parker
TELEVISION:
Outstanding Television Documentary or Special
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown | Alex Gibney (HBO)
Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
The Trip to Bountiful | Bill Haber, Cicely Tyson, Hallie Foote & Jeff Hayes (Lifetime)
Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Larenz Tate | Gun Hill (BET)
Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Cicely Tyson | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Blair Underwood | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)
Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Anika Noni Rose | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)
Outstanding Screenplay, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)
----------------
The 15th Annual Black Reel Awards winners were announced on Friday, February 20, 2015. The Black Reel Awards are comprised of more than 60 voters across the country. The voters annually select and spotlight films and performances featuring African-Americans, as well as people of color throughout the African Diaspora.
Selma won 8 awards, tying the film with last year's 12 Years a Slave for the most Black Reel Award wins in a single year.
2015 / 15th Annual Black Reel Awards Winners:
Outstanding Motion Picture
Selma | Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner & Christian Colson (Paramount)
Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture
David Oyelowo | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture
Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Belle (Fox Searchlight)
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture
Wendell Pierce | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture
Carmen Ejogo | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Director, Motion Picture
Ava DuVernay | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Screenplay, Motion Picture
Chris Rock | Top Five (Paramount)
Outstanding Documentary
Anita: Speaking Truth to the Power | Freida Lee Mock
Outstanding Ensemble (Awarded to Casting Directors)
Selma | Aisha Coley (Paramount)
Outstanding Foreign Film
Fishing Without Nets (Kenya) | Cutter Hodierne (Drafthouse Films)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Tyler James Williams | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Teyonah Parris | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)
Outstanding Voice Performance
Morgan Freeman | The LEGO Movie (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Score
Jason Moran | Selma (Paramount)
Outstanding Original Song
“Glory” from Selma | Performed by: John Legend & Common;
Written by: John Legend, Common & Che Smith (Paramount)
INDEPENDENT:
Outstanding Independent Feature
The Retrieval | Chris Eska
Outstanding Independent Documentary
25 to Life | Mark Brown
Outstanding Independent Short
#AmeriCan | Nate Parker
TELEVISION:
Outstanding Television Documentary or Special
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown | Alex Gibney (HBO)
Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
The Trip to Bountiful | Bill Haber, Cicely Tyson, Hallie Foote & Jeff Hayes (Lifetime)
Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Larenz Tate | Gun Hill (BET)
Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Cicely Tyson | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Blair Underwood | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)
Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Anika Noni Rose | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)
Outstanding Screenplay, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)
----------------
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Las Vegas Film Critics Name "Birdman" Best Picture of 2014
The Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) is a non-profit organization that describes itself as “progressive” and “dedicated to the advancement and preservation of film.” The LVFCS membership is comprised of “select” print, television and internet film critics in the Las Vegas area. The LVFCS presents its "Sierra" awards each year for the best in film, including The William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award, which is named for the late Academy Award winning actor.
2014 Sierra Award winners:
Best Picture
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Actor
Michael Keaton, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Actress
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Best Supporting Actor
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Best Supporting Actress
Tilda Swinton, “Snowpiercer”
Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Screenplay
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Cinematography
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Film Editing
James Herbert and Laura Jennings, “Edge of Tomorrow”
Best Costume Design
Alexandra Byrne, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Art Direction
“The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
Best Visual Effects
“Interstellar”
Best Foreign Film
“Ida” (Poland)
Best Documentary
“Citzenfour”
Best Animated Film
“The Lego Movie”
Best Family Film
“The Lego Movie”
Best Horror/Sci-Fi Film
“Babadook”
Best Comedy Film
“Top 5”
Best Action Film
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Ensemble
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Score
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Song
“I Love You All,” Stephen Rennicks – “Frank”
Youth in Film
Jaeden Lieberher, “St. Vincent”
Breakout Filmmaker of the Year
Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”
William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Murray
Cinema Heritage Award
Prof. Francisco Menendez, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Film Dept. Chair
LVFCS Top 10 Films of 2013:
1. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
2. Boyhood
3. Whiplash
4. Nightcrawler
5. The Grand Budapest Hotel
6. Wild
7. Selma
8. The Imitation Game
9. Snowpiercer
10. Under the Skin
-------------------------
2014 Sierra Award winners:
Best Picture
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Actor
Michael Keaton, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Actress
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Best Supporting Actor
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Best Supporting Actress
Tilda Swinton, “Snowpiercer”
Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Screenplay
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Cinematography
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Film Editing
James Herbert and Laura Jennings, “Edge of Tomorrow”
Best Costume Design
Alexandra Byrne, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Art Direction
“The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
Best Visual Effects
“Interstellar”
Best Foreign Film
“Ida” (Poland)
Best Documentary
“Citzenfour”
Best Animated Film
“The Lego Movie”
Best Family Film
“The Lego Movie”
Best Horror/Sci-Fi Film
“Babadook”
Best Comedy Film
“Top 5”
Best Action Film
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Ensemble
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Score
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Best Song
“I Love You All,” Stephen Rennicks – “Frank”
Youth in Film
Jaeden Lieberher, “St. Vincent”
Breakout Filmmaker of the Year
Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”
William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Murray
Cinema Heritage Award
Prof. Francisco Menendez, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Film Dept. Chair
LVFCS Top 10 Films of 2013:
1. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
2. Boyhood
3. Whiplash
4. Nightcrawler
5. The Grand Budapest Hotel
6. Wild
7. Selma
8. The Imitation Game
9. Snowpiercer
10. Under the Skin
-------------------------
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for December 14th to 20th, 2014 - Updated #9
NEWS:
From Variety: "The Interview," Seth Rogen and James Franco's comedy about a silly assassination plot against Kim Jong-un (North Korean dictator), will not get a theatrical release. It may not get any kind of release.
------------------
From Variety: Steve Carell's North Korea-set thriller dropped by New Regency.
------------------
From Vulture: Frank Rich interviewed Chris Rock.
------------------
From YahooMovies: It was 75 year ago today that the Gone with the Wind premiere was held in Atlanta. Oops, none of the black actors could attend, even eventual Oscar-winner, Hattie McDaniel.
-------------------
From Variety: FOX's Exodus: Gods and Kings was the #1 film at the box office for the weekend of Fri., Dec. 12th to 14th, 2014 with an estimated take of $24.5 million.
--------------------
From Arstechnica: Marvel reveals plot details about "Ant-Man."
--------------------
From LATimes: Sony emails about Obama. Actually, they aren't terrible.
COMICS:
From Screengonzo: News of a possible "meeting of the minds" between Marvel and Sony about Spider-Man.
--------------------
From IGN: Joss Whedon talks about a big surprise in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
STAR WARS:
From EntertainmentWeekly: Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director, Jason Reitman stages a live reading of The Empire Strikes Back, with surprise performances by Mark Hamill and Rainn Wilson.
--------------------
From EntertainmentWeekly: 10 things Andy Serkis can say about Episode 7.
MISC:
From YahooSports: Kobe Bryant passes Michael Jordan for third place on the National Basketball Association (NBA) scoring list.
Friday, December 12, 2014
"A Most Violent Year" is the Best of the Year, According to National Board of Review
The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, which is made up of film enthusiasts, academics, students, and filmmakers, historically launches the movie awards season.
The National Board of Review revealed its 2014 awards on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. The NBR is first group to name, A Most Violent Year as the best film, although the film won't have a theatrical release until December 31, 2014 (which will be a limited release). Written and directed by Oscar-nominee, J.C. Chandor, A Most Violent Year is set during what was statistically the worst year in New York City for violent crimes.
2014 National Board of Review of Motion Picture awards:
Best Film: A Most Violent Year
Best Director: Clint Eastwood – American Sniper
Best Actor (TIE):
Best Actress: Julianne Moore – Still Alice
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton – Birdman
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year
Best Original Screenplay: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The Lego Movie
Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – Inherent Vice
Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Breakthrough Performance: Jack O’Connell – Starred Up & Unbroken
Best Directorial Debut: Gillian Robespierre – Obvious Child
Best Foreign Language Film: Wild Tales
Best Documentary: Life Itself
William K. Everson Film History Award: Scott Eyman
Best Ensemble: Fury
Spotlight Award: Chris Rock for writing, directing, and starring in – Top Five
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Rosewater
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Selma
Top Films:
American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
Fury
Gone Girl
The Imitation Game
Inherent Vice
The Lego Movie
Nightcrawler
Unbroken
Top 5 Foreign Language Films:
Force Majeure
Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem
Leviathan
Two Days, One Night
We Are the Best!
Top 5 Documentaries:
Art and Craft
Jodorowsky’s Dune
Keep On Keepin’ On
The Kill Team
Last Days in Vietnam
Top 10 Independent Films:
Blue Ruin
Locke
A Most Wanted Man
Mr. Turner
Obvious Child
The Skeleton Twins
Snowpiercer
Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Starred Up
Still Alice
---------------------------------------
http://www.nationalboardofreview.org/
The National Board of Review revealed its 2014 awards on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. The NBR is first group to name, A Most Violent Year as the best film, although the film won't have a theatrical release until December 31, 2014 (which will be a limited release). Written and directed by Oscar-nominee, J.C. Chandor, A Most Violent Year is set during what was statistically the worst year in New York City for violent crimes.
2014 National Board of Review of Motion Picture awards:
Best Film: A Most Violent Year
Best Director: Clint Eastwood – American Sniper
Best Actor (TIE):
- Oscar Isaac – A Most Violent Year
- Michael Keaton – Birdman
Best Actress: Julianne Moore – Still Alice
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton – Birdman
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year
Best Original Screenplay: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The Lego Movie
Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – Inherent Vice
Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Breakthrough Performance: Jack O’Connell – Starred Up & Unbroken
Best Directorial Debut: Gillian Robespierre – Obvious Child
Best Foreign Language Film: Wild Tales
Best Documentary: Life Itself
William K. Everson Film History Award: Scott Eyman
Best Ensemble: Fury
Spotlight Award: Chris Rock for writing, directing, and starring in – Top Five
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Rosewater
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Selma
Top Films:
American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
Fury
Gone Girl
The Imitation Game
Inherent Vice
The Lego Movie
Nightcrawler
Unbroken
Top 5 Foreign Language Films:
Force Majeure
Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem
Leviathan
Two Days, One Night
We Are the Best!
Top 5 Documentaries:
Art and Craft
Jodorowsky’s Dune
Keep On Keepin’ On
The Kill Team
Last Days in Vietnam
Top 10 Independent Films:
Blue Ruin
Locke
A Most Wanted Man
Mr. Turner
Obvious Child
The Skeleton Twins
Snowpiercer
Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Starred Up
Still Alice
---------------------------------------
http://www.nationalboardofreview.org/
Friday, October 17, 2014
Official Trailer for Chris Rock's "Top Five" Released
To view the trailer, go to http://youtu.be/jejCmmawzLY
In select theaters starting Dec. 5th 2014 and nationwide Dec. 12th 2014
Official Site: http://www.topfivemovie.com
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TopFiveMovie
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/TopFiveMovie
Official Instagram: http://instagram.com/topfivemovie
Official YouTube: http://youtube.com/topfivefilm
#TopFiveMovie
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Paramount Pictures Picks Up Chris Rock's Third Directorial Effort, "Top Five"
PARAMOUNT PICTURES TO DISTRIBUTE CHRIS ROCK'S "TOP FIVE" WORLDWIDE
DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED JOINTLY BY THE STUDIO AND IAC FILMS FOLLOWING ITS PREMIERE AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIABN, VIA), announced it will distribute writer / director Chris Rock's "TOP FIVE" worldwide. The news comes as the film from producer Scott Rudin, and his IACF partner Barry Diller, earned rave reviews at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.
"Chris and I go back decades, both personally and professionally, and so I am particularly proud to have watched his career grow to its highest heights over many decades. This film showcases brilliantly how talented Chris is as a filmmaker and storyteller and we are thrilled to be partnering with him, Scott Rudin and my longtime friend, the legendary Barry Diller and IACF for its worldwide launch," said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
Written, directed by, and starring Chris Rock, “TOP FIVE” tells the story of New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen, whose unexpected encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to confront the comedy career—and the past—that he's left behind. Starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Sherri Shepherd, Anders Holm, Romany Malco, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, and Jay Pharoah. The film is produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush. The Co-Producers are Shawn “Jay Z” Carter and Kanye West; the Executive Music Producer is Questlove. Barry Diller and Scott Rudin’s IACF financed the film.
UTA negotiated the deal on behalf of the IACF and the filmmakers. The studio's negotiating team was lead by Paramount's SVP of Acquisition and Production Eben Davidson and Rona Cosgrove, EVP of Business Affairs.
Top critics have said about “TOP FIVE”:
“Chris Rock's third turn in the directing chair proves the proverbial charm in this smart, ferociously funny Hollywood-insider romp… it’s also a candid, fresh, ferociously funny snapshot of life in the celebrity bubble. Rock has finally found a big-screen vehicle for himself that comes close to capturing the electric wit, shrewd social observations and deeply autobiographical vein of his standup comedy,” said VARIETY’s Scott Foundas
“Chris Rock brings it big time in this uproarious celebrity self-portrait....piling on one hilarious sequence after another in a barrage of hard-hitting humor that has rarely been so successfully dished out in a single film. It’s like watching a first-rate standup routine transformed into fiction, or in this case auto-fiction, as Rock has more on his mind than just making us laugh, offering up a witty celebrity satire that doubles as a love story set during one long and eventful New York City day,” said THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Jordan Mintzer
“Rock has hit a career high with his new film TOP FIVE....Hilarious situations continue to top themselves as the film progresses. Just when you think the surprises are over, another famous face and comedy icon appears…. Rock may know the ins and outs of American stand-up better than any of his peers because he uses that knowledge masterfully in casting this picture. But TOP FIVE transcends its genre…. It’s a movie about the current state of race relations. It’s a movie about honesty and forgiveness. It's another searing indictment of the world of celebrity. It’s even a movie about the lasting legacy of hip-hop. And it all combines to smash you silly and leave you breathlessly wanting more,“ said HITFIX’s Greg Ellwood
“Chris Rock is at his rude, ribald and raucous best in the laugh-out-loud TOP FIVE, a deliriously funny film that looks destined to be a box office hit. Written, directed and starting Rock, the film mines similar territory to Woody Allen at his younger best – sex, comedy, paranoia, insecurity and more sex – but with a much rawer and uncensored edge,” said SCREEN INTERNATIONAL’s Mark Adams
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About IAC
IAC (NASDAQ: IACI) is a leading media and Internet company comprised of more than 150 brands and products, including Ask.com, About.com, Match.com, HomeAdvisor and Vimeo. Focused on the areas of search, applications, online dating, media, and eCommerce, IAC’s family of websites is one of the largest in the world, with over a billion monthly visits across more than 100 countries. The Company is headquartered in New York City and has offices worldwide.
DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED JOINTLY BY THE STUDIO AND IAC FILMS FOLLOWING ITS PREMIERE AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIABN, VIA), announced it will distribute writer / director Chris Rock's "TOP FIVE" worldwide. The news comes as the film from producer Scott Rudin, and his IACF partner Barry Diller, earned rave reviews at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.
"Chris and I go back decades, both personally and professionally, and so I am particularly proud to have watched his career grow to its highest heights over many decades. This film showcases brilliantly how talented Chris is as a filmmaker and storyteller and we are thrilled to be partnering with him, Scott Rudin and my longtime friend, the legendary Barry Diller and IACF for its worldwide launch," said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
Written, directed by, and starring Chris Rock, “TOP FIVE” tells the story of New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen, whose unexpected encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to confront the comedy career—and the past—that he's left behind. Starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Sherri Shepherd, Anders Holm, Romany Malco, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, and Jay Pharoah. The film is produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush. The Co-Producers are Shawn “Jay Z” Carter and Kanye West; the Executive Music Producer is Questlove. Barry Diller and Scott Rudin’s IACF financed the film.
UTA negotiated the deal on behalf of the IACF and the filmmakers. The studio's negotiating team was lead by Paramount's SVP of Acquisition and Production Eben Davidson and Rona Cosgrove, EVP of Business Affairs.
Top critics have said about “TOP FIVE”:
“Chris Rock's third turn in the directing chair proves the proverbial charm in this smart, ferociously funny Hollywood-insider romp… it’s also a candid, fresh, ferociously funny snapshot of life in the celebrity bubble. Rock has finally found a big-screen vehicle for himself that comes close to capturing the electric wit, shrewd social observations and deeply autobiographical vein of his standup comedy,” said VARIETY’s Scott Foundas
“Chris Rock brings it big time in this uproarious celebrity self-portrait....piling on one hilarious sequence after another in a barrage of hard-hitting humor that has rarely been so successfully dished out in a single film. It’s like watching a first-rate standup routine transformed into fiction, or in this case auto-fiction, as Rock has more on his mind than just making us laugh, offering up a witty celebrity satire that doubles as a love story set during one long and eventful New York City day,” said THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Jordan Mintzer
“Rock has hit a career high with his new film TOP FIVE....Hilarious situations continue to top themselves as the film progresses. Just when you think the surprises are over, another famous face and comedy icon appears…. Rock may know the ins and outs of American stand-up better than any of his peers because he uses that knowledge masterfully in casting this picture. But TOP FIVE transcends its genre…. It’s a movie about the current state of race relations. It’s a movie about honesty and forgiveness. It's another searing indictment of the world of celebrity. It’s even a movie about the lasting legacy of hip-hop. And it all combines to smash you silly and leave you breathlessly wanting more,“ said HITFIX’s Greg Ellwood
“Chris Rock is at his rude, ribald and raucous best in the laugh-out-loud TOP FIVE, a deliriously funny film that looks destined to be a box office hit. Written, directed and starting Rock, the film mines similar territory to Woody Allen at his younger best – sex, comedy, paranoia, insecurity and more sex – but with a much rawer and uncensored edge,” said SCREEN INTERNATIONAL’s Mark Adams
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About IAC
IAC (NASDAQ: IACI) is a leading media and Internet company comprised of more than 150 brands and products, including Ask.com, About.com, Match.com, HomeAdvisor and Vimeo. Focused on the areas of search, applications, online dating, media, and eCommerce, IAC’s family of websites is one of the largest in the world, with over a billion monthly visits across more than 100 countries. The Company is headquartered in New York City and has offices worldwide.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
"12 Years a Slave," Beyonce Lead 2014 "BET Awards" - Winners Announced
Young Money, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and August Alsina Win Big at The “BET Awards” ‘14
Epic Evening Features Performances by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Jennifer Hudson, Nicki Minaj, Yolanda Adams and More
50Th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill Receives the 2014 Humanitarian Award Presented by State Farm®
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It was a night full of electrifying performances, emotional speeches and unforgettable moments at the “BET Awards” '14 -- also known as the "Black World Cup," according to hilarious host Chris Rock -- which aired live from the Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, June 29.
Pharrell Williams opened the show with an energetic rendition of "Come Get It Bae" surrounded by a bevy of cheerleaders, and was joined by surprise performer and fellow Virginia native, the amazing Missy Elliott, who brought the crowd to their feet to "Pass That Dutch." Williams became a familiar face on the stage after winning both "Best Male R&B/Pop Artist" and "Video of the Year," and again coming on to present music icon Lionel Richie with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Young Money and Beyoncé took home the most trophies with three awards, as did acclaimed film “12 Years A Slave” which swept the film award categories. Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each won two awards.
The tribute to Richie included a presentation of classics "Hello" and "Still" by John Legend and a pulsating rendition of "Brick House" by Ledisi. Just before Richie came on stage to accept his award, Yolanda Adams delivered a soulful, inspired performance of "Jesus Is Love," bringing the crowd to its feet (and some to tears!) and prompting Richie to admit he was "glad [he] sang the song first." Richie showed off his own skills when he sat at the piano and serenaded the audience with "Easy," then got the crowd dancing along to "All Night Long."
Chris Brown made a triumphant return to the “BET Awards” stage that drew a standing ovation. He proved he hasn't missed a beat delivering an incredible performance of "Loyal," which was amped up even more with appearances by Lil Wayne, Tyga and Travis Barker.
Always one to get the crowd going, Lil Wayne got the mosh pit popping with "Krazy" and "Believe Me." Jennifer Hudson showed off her incredibly powerful pipes during a performance of "Walk It Out" and debut of her new single "It's Your World" as a disco roller derby swirled around her. One of today's hottest rising stars, Jhené Aiko joined John Legend on stage for one of the most impressive performances of the evening.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album, Usher performed an action-packed medley of his biggest hits, including "Yeah!" "Confessions," "Caught Up" and "Love In This Club," which drew a standing ovation. Nicki Minaj gave an dramatic Alice In Wonderland-inspired performance of "Chi-Raq" and "Pills N Potions," filling the stage with oversized mushrooms, a contemporary dancer and a white rabbit.
T.I. showed off his lyrical prowess with "No Mediocre," while Iggy Azalea wowed the crowd with her skills with her hit single "Fancy." Fan and crowd favorite August Alsina, whose earlier performance alongside Trey Songz and Chris Brown drew squeals from all of the ladies in the house, took home the Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award. Robin Thicke gave a mesmerizing performance of "Forever Love," while surprise performers Troop, Color Me Badd and Silk scored huge cheers, as each group took the stage for their biggest hits for a '90s throwback medley of "All I Do Is Think of You," "I Wanna Sex You Up" and "Freak Me."
Presenter Kerry Washington, making her first television appearance since giving birth to daughter Isabelle in April, got in on the night's fun with co-presenter Kevin Hart, who tried to convince the crowd that he was, in fact, Oliver Pope, a reference to Kerry's alter-ego Olivia Pope on her hit show "Scandal."
Taking a cue from Ellen DeGeneres' pizza delivery at this year's Oscar® Awards, Rock provided the audience with a delivery of Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles, which they accepted with enthusiasm. Rock had the crowd laughing throughout the night, thanks to his riffs on a range of hot topics, from Donald Sterling to Jay-Z and Solange to Dr. Dre and the Beats/Apple deal.
A taped performance of Beyoncé and Jay-Z of "Partition" capped the epic night, which delivered on its promise to be the hottest ticket in town. The "BET Awards" '14 drew the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports, with appearances by Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, Regina Hall, Larenz Tate, Bow Wow, Keshia Chante, Eva Marcille, Terrence Jenkins, Keyshia Cole, Mike Tyson, Nick Cannon, Zendaya, DeSean Jackson, Boris Kodjoe, Gary Owen, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chadwick Boseman, Tyrese and Nate Parker.
Tim King (Founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies) and Denzel Thompson (a 19-year-old founder and manager of a successful community urban farm and garden) were recognized as the 2014 Shine-A-Light recipients.
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 19 categories.
In addition to all of these incredible moments, the complete list of “BET Awards” ’14 winners is:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Pharrell Williams
Best Group
Young Money
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Pharrell Williams – Happy
Video Director of the Year
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
August Alsina
Best Gospel Artist
Tamela Mann
Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
YoungStars Award
KeKe Palmer
Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ - I Luv This
Centric Award
Jhené Aiko – The Worst
Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Best International Act: UK
Krept & Konan
FANdemonium Award
Beyoncé
BET.com/BETAwards (http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards.html) is the official site for the “BET Awards” ’14 and features all the incredible content from this year’s show. Join the conversation on social media by following BET’s multiple social media platforms dedicated to the BET Awards:
On Twitter & Instagram: @BETAwards, Use hashtag: #BETAwards
On Facebook: facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Tumblr: betawards.tumblr.com
The “BET Awards” ’14 took place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® in Los Angeles from June 27-29th. The show will premiere on BET's international network Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m. GMT.
Encore viewings of the show will air on BET on:
Monday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m.* (immediately followed by the post-show)
Saturday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m.*
Thursday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m.*
Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials and Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the “BET Awards,” along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
*All times ET/PT
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT:
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins, the company’s CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Formerly Executive Producer/EVP of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, BET Honors, The UNCF Evening of Stars and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins currently executive produces “The Real Husbands of Hollywood,” (now going into its 3rd hit season) alongside industry Icons Stan Lathan and Ralph Farquhar; and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince, Mariah Carey and many more.
Follow us @BET_PR
Epic Evening Features Performances by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Jennifer Hudson, Nicki Minaj, Yolanda Adams and More
50Th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill Receives the 2014 Humanitarian Award Presented by State Farm®
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It was a night full of electrifying performances, emotional speeches and unforgettable moments at the “BET Awards” '14 -- also known as the "Black World Cup," according to hilarious host Chris Rock -- which aired live from the Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, June 29.
Pharrell Williams opened the show with an energetic rendition of "Come Get It Bae" surrounded by a bevy of cheerleaders, and was joined by surprise performer and fellow Virginia native, the amazing Missy Elliott, who brought the crowd to their feet to "Pass That Dutch." Williams became a familiar face on the stage after winning both "Best Male R&B/Pop Artist" and "Video of the Year," and again coming on to present music icon Lionel Richie with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Young Money and Beyoncé took home the most trophies with three awards, as did acclaimed film “12 Years A Slave” which swept the film award categories. Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each won two awards.
The tribute to Richie included a presentation of classics "Hello" and "Still" by John Legend and a pulsating rendition of "Brick House" by Ledisi. Just before Richie came on stage to accept his award, Yolanda Adams delivered a soulful, inspired performance of "Jesus Is Love," bringing the crowd to its feet (and some to tears!) and prompting Richie to admit he was "glad [he] sang the song first." Richie showed off his own skills when he sat at the piano and serenaded the audience with "Easy," then got the crowd dancing along to "All Night Long."
Chris Brown made a triumphant return to the “BET Awards” stage that drew a standing ovation. He proved he hasn't missed a beat delivering an incredible performance of "Loyal," which was amped up even more with appearances by Lil Wayne, Tyga and Travis Barker.
Always one to get the crowd going, Lil Wayne got the mosh pit popping with "Krazy" and "Believe Me." Jennifer Hudson showed off her incredibly powerful pipes during a performance of "Walk It Out" and debut of her new single "It's Your World" as a disco roller derby swirled around her. One of today's hottest rising stars, Jhené Aiko joined John Legend on stage for one of the most impressive performances of the evening.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album, Usher performed an action-packed medley of his biggest hits, including "Yeah!" "Confessions," "Caught Up" and "Love In This Club," which drew a standing ovation. Nicki Minaj gave an dramatic Alice In Wonderland-inspired performance of "Chi-Raq" and "Pills N Potions," filling the stage with oversized mushrooms, a contemporary dancer and a white rabbit.
T.I. showed off his lyrical prowess with "No Mediocre," while Iggy Azalea wowed the crowd with her skills with her hit single "Fancy." Fan and crowd favorite August Alsina, whose earlier performance alongside Trey Songz and Chris Brown drew squeals from all of the ladies in the house, took home the Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award. Robin Thicke gave a mesmerizing performance of "Forever Love," while surprise performers Troop, Color Me Badd and Silk scored huge cheers, as each group took the stage for their biggest hits for a '90s throwback medley of "All I Do Is Think of You," "I Wanna Sex You Up" and "Freak Me."
Presenter Kerry Washington, making her first television appearance since giving birth to daughter Isabelle in April, got in on the night's fun with co-presenter Kevin Hart, who tried to convince the crowd that he was, in fact, Oliver Pope, a reference to Kerry's alter-ego Olivia Pope on her hit show "Scandal."
Taking a cue from Ellen DeGeneres' pizza delivery at this year's Oscar® Awards, Rock provided the audience with a delivery of Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles, which they accepted with enthusiasm. Rock had the crowd laughing throughout the night, thanks to his riffs on a range of hot topics, from Donald Sterling to Jay-Z and Solange to Dr. Dre and the Beats/Apple deal.
A taped performance of Beyoncé and Jay-Z of "Partition" capped the epic night, which delivered on its promise to be the hottest ticket in town. The "BET Awards" '14 drew the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports, with appearances by Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, Regina Hall, Larenz Tate, Bow Wow, Keshia Chante, Eva Marcille, Terrence Jenkins, Keyshia Cole, Mike Tyson, Nick Cannon, Zendaya, DeSean Jackson, Boris Kodjoe, Gary Owen, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chadwick Boseman, Tyrese and Nate Parker.
Tim King (Founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies) and Denzel Thompson (a 19-year-old founder and manager of a successful community urban farm and garden) were recognized as the 2014 Shine-A-Light recipients.
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 19 categories.
In addition to all of these incredible moments, the complete list of “BET Awards” ’14 winners is:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Pharrell Williams
Best Group
Young Money
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Pharrell Williams – Happy
Video Director of the Year
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
August Alsina
Best Gospel Artist
Tamela Mann
Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
YoungStars Award
KeKe Palmer
Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ - I Luv This
Centric Award
Jhené Aiko – The Worst
Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Best International Act: UK
Krept & Konan
FANdemonium Award
Beyoncé
BET.com/BETAwards (http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards.html) is the official site for the “BET Awards” ’14 and features all the incredible content from this year’s show. Join the conversation on social media by following BET’s multiple social media platforms dedicated to the BET Awards:
On Twitter & Instagram: @BETAwards, Use hashtag: #BETAwards
On Facebook: facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Tumblr: betawards.tumblr.com
The “BET Awards” ’14 took place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® in Los Angeles from June 27-29th. The show will premiere on BET's international network Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m. GMT.
Encore viewings of the show will air on BET on:
Monday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m.* (immediately followed by the post-show)
Saturday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m.*
Thursday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m.*
Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials and Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the “BET Awards,” along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
*All times ET/PT
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT:
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins, the company’s CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Formerly Executive Producer/EVP of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, BET Honors, The UNCF Evening of Stars and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins currently executive produces “The Real Husbands of Hollywood,” (now going into its 3rd hit season) alongside industry Icons Stan Lathan and Ralph Farquhar; and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince, Mariah Carey and many more.
Follow us @BET_PR
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Lupita N'yongo, Chris Rock Among 271 Invited to Join Academy
Academy Invites 271 to Membership
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 271 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2014.
“This year’s class of invitees represents some of the most talented, creative and passionate filmmakers working in our industry today,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “Their contributions to film have entertained audiences around the world, and we are proud to welcome them to the Academy.”
The 2014 invitees are:
Actors
Barkhad Abdi – “Captain Phillips”
Clancy Brown – “The Hurricane,” “The Shawshank Redeption”
Paul Dano – “12 Years a Slave,” “Prisoners”
Michael Fassbender – “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame”
Ben Foster – “Lone Survivor,” “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”
Beth Grant – “The Artist,” “No Country for Old Men”
Clark Gregg – “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Sally Hawkins – “Blue Jasmine,” “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Josh Hutcherson – “The Hunger Games,” “The Kids Are All Right”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “Enough Said,” “Planes”
Kelly Macdonald – “Brave,” “No Country for Old Men”
Mads Mikkelsen – “The Hunt,” “Casino Royale”
Joel McKinnon Miller – “Super 8,” “The Truman Show”
Cillian Murphy – “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Inception”
Lupita Nyong'o – “Non-Stop,” “12 Years a Slave”
Rob Riggle – “21 Jump Street,” “The Hangover”
Chris Rock – “Grown Ups 2,” “Madagascar”
June Squibb – “Nebraska,” “About Schmidt”
Jason Statham – “Parker,” “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”
David Strathairn – “Lincoln,” “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Casting Directors
Douglas Aibel – “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Immigrant”
Simone Bär – “The Monuments Men,” “The Book Thief”
Kerry Barden – “August: Osage County,” “Dallas Buyers Club”
Nikki Barrett – “The Railway Man,” “The Great Gatsby”
Mark Bennett – “Drinking Buddies,” “Zero Dark Thirty”
Risa Bramon Garcia – “Speed,” “Wall Street”
Michelle Guish – “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “Nanny McPhee”
Billy Hopkins – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Disconnect”
Ros Hubbard – “Romeo & Juliet,” “The Mummy”
Allison Jones – “The Way, Way Back,” “The Heat”
Christine King – “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” “Star
Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”
Beatrice Kruger – “To Rome with Love,” “The American”
Marci Liroff – “Mean Girls,” “Pretty in Pink”
Debbie McWilliams – “Skyfall,” “Quantum of Solace”
Joseph Middleton – “TheTwilight Saga: New Moon,” “Legally Blonde”
Robi Reed – “For Colored Girls,” “Do the Right Thing”
Kevin Reher – “Monsters University,” “Finding Nemo”
Paul Schnee – “August: Osage County,” “Dallas Buyers Club”
Gail Stevens – “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Slumdog Millionaire”
Lucinda Syson – “Gravity,” “Fast and & Furious 6”
Fiona Weir – “J. Edgar,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
Ronnie Yeskel – “The Sessions,” “Atlas Shrugged Part 1”
Cinematographers
Sean Bobbitt – “12 Years a Slave,” “The Place beyond the Pines”
Philippe Le Sourd – “The Grandmaster,” “Seven Pounds”
James Neihouse – “Hubble 3D,” “Nascar: The IMAX Experience”
Masanobu Takayanagi – “Out of the Furnace,” “Silver Linings Playbook”
Bradford Young – “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints,” “Pariah”
Costume Designers
William Chang Suk Ping – “The Grandmaster,” “In the Mood for Love”
Pascaline Chavanne – “Renoir,” “Augustine”
Daniela Ciancio – “The Great Beauty,” “Il Divo”
Frank L. Fleming – “Draft Day,” “Monster’s Ball”
Maurizio Millenotti – “Hamlet,” “Otello”
Beatrix Aruna Pasztor – “Great Expectations,” “Good Will Hunting”
Karyn Wagner – “Lovelace,” “The Green Mile”
Designers
William Arnold – “Lovelace,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
K.K. Barrett – “Her,” “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
Susan Benjamin – “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Blind Side”
Bill Boes – “The Smurfs 2,” “Fantastic Four”
Tony Fanning – “Contraband,” “War of the Worlds”
Robert Greenfield – “Priest,” “Almost Famous”
Marcia Hinds – “I Spy,” “The Public Eye”
Sonja Brisbane Klaus – “Prometheus,” “Robin Hood”
David S. Lazan – “Flight,” “American Beauty”
Diane Lederman – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Tower Heist”
Heather Loeffler – “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”
Christa Munro – “Jack Reacher,” “Erin Brockovich”
Andy Nicholson – “Gravity,” “The Host”
Adam Stockhausen – “12 Years a Slave,” “Moonrise Kingdom”
Directors
Hany Abu-Assad – “Omar,” “Paradise Now”
Jay Duplass – “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” “Cyrus”
Mark Duplass – “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” “Cyrus”
David Gordon Green – “Joe,” “Pineapple Express”
Gavin O’Connor – “Warrior,” “Miracle”
Gina Prince-Bythewood – “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Love and Basketball”
Paolo Sorrentino – “The Great Beauty,” “This Must Be the Place”
Jean-Marc Vallée – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Young Victoria”
Felix van Groeningen – “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” “The Misfortunates”
Denis Villeneuve – “Prisoners,” “Incendies”
Thomas Vinterberg – “The Hunt,” “The Celebration”
Documentary
Malcolm Clarke – “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life,” “Prisoner of Paradise”
Dan Cogan – “How to Survive a Plague,” “The Queen of Versailles”
Kief Davidson – “Open Heart,” “Kassim the Dream”
Dan Geller – “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden,” “Ballets Russes”
Dayna Goldfine – “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden,” “Ballets Russes”
Julie Goldman – “God Loves Uganda,” “Gideon’s Army”
Sam Green – “Utopia in Four Movements,” “The Weather Underground”
Gary Hustwit – “Urbanized,” “Helvetica”
Eugene Jarecki – “The House I Live In,” “Why We Fight”
Brian Johnson – “Anita,” “Buena Vista Social Club”
Ross Kauffman – “E-Team,” “Born into Brothels”
Morgan Neville – “20 Feet from Stardom,” “Troubadours”
Matthew J. O'Neill – “Redemption,” “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan
Province”
Rithy Panh – “The Missing Picture,” “S-21: The Khmer Rouge Death Machine”
Lucy Massie Phenix – “Regret to Inform,” “Word Is Out”
Enat Sidi – “Detropia,” “Jesus Camp”
Molly Thompson – “The Unknown Known,” “Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer”
Cynthia Wade – “Mondays at Racine,” “Freeheld”
Executives
Adrian Alperovich
Sean Bailey
Len Blavatnik
Nicholas Carpou
Nancy Carson
Charles S. Cohen
Jason Constantine
Peter Cramer
William Kyle Davies
Christopher Floyd
David Garrett
David Hollis
Tomas Jegeus
Michelle Raimo Kouyate
Anthony James Marcoly
Hiroyasu Matsuoka
Kim Roth
John Sloss
Film Editors
Alan Baumgarten – “American Hustle,” “Gangster Squad”
Alan Edward Bell – “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”
Dorian Harris – “The Magic of Belle Isle,” “The Mod Squad”
Sabrina Plisco – “The Smurfs 2,” “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”
Tatiana S. Riegel – “Million Dollar Arm,” “The Way, Way Back”
Julie Rogers – “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”
Mark Sanger – “Gravity”
Joan Sobel – “Admission,” “A Single Man”
Crispin Struthers – “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”
Tracey Wadmore-Smith – “About Last Night,” “Death at a Funeral”
Joe Walker – “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame”
John Wilson – “The Book Thief,” “Billy Elliot”
Makeup Artists and Hairstylists
Vivian Baker – “Oz The Great and Powerful,” “Conviction”
Adruitha Lee – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “12 Years a Slave”
Robin Mathews – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “The Runaways”
Anne Morgan – “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” “A Little Bit of Heaven”
Gloria Pasqua-Casny – “The Lone Ranger,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”
Members-at-Large
Peter Becker
Jeff Dashnaw
Kenneth L. Halsband
Jody Levin
Tom MacDougall
Chuck Picerni, Jr.
Spiro Razatos
Mic Rodgers
Kevin J. Yeaman
Music
Kristen Anderson-Lopez – “Frozen,” “Winnie the Pooh”
Stanley Clarke – “The Best Man Holiday,” “Boyz N the Hood”
Earl Ghaffari – “Frozen,” “Wreck-It Ralph”
Steve Jablonsky – “Lone Survivor,” “Ender’s Game”
Robert Lopez – “Frozen,” “Winnie the Pooh”
Steven Price – “Gravity,” “The World’s End”
Tony Renis – “Hidden Moon,” “Quest for Camelot”
Angie Rubin – “Pitch Perfect,” “Sex and the City”
Buck Sanders – “Warm Bodies,” “The Hurt Locker”
Charles Strouse – “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” “Annie”
Eddie Vedder – “Eat Pray Love,” “Into the Wild”
Pharrell Williams – “Despicable Me 2,” “Fast & Furious”
Producers
Jason Blumenthal – “Hope Springs,” “Seven Pounds”
Dana Brunetti – “Captain Phillips,” “The Social Network”
Megan Ellison – “American Hustle,” “Her”
Sean Furst – “Daybreakers,” “The Cooler”
Nicola Giuliano – “The Great Beauty,” “This Must Be the Place”
Preston Holmes – “Waist Deep,” “Tupac: Resurrection”
Lynette M. Howell – “The Place beyond the Pines,” “Blue Valentine”
Anthony Katagas – “12 Years a Slave,” “Killing Them Softly”
Alix Madigan – “Girl Most Likely,” “Winter’s Bone”
Paul Mezey – “The Girl,” “Maria Full of Grace”
Stephen Nemeth – “The Sessions,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”
Tracey Seaward – “Philomena,” “The Queen”
John H. Williams – “Space Chimps,” “Shrek 2”
Public Relations
Larry Angrisani
Nancy Bannister
Christine Batista
Karen Hermelin
Marisa McGrath Liston
David Magdael
Steven Raphael
Bettina R. Sherick
Dani Weinstein
Short Films and Feature Animation
Didier Brunner – “Ernest & Celestine,” “The Triplets of Belleville”
Scott Clark – “Monsters University,” “Up”
Pierre Coffin – “Despicable Me 2,” “Despicable Me”
Esteban Crespo – “Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn’t Me),” “Lala”
Peter Del Vecho – “Frozen,” “The Princess and the Frog”
Kirk DeMicco – “The Croods,” “Space Chimps”
Doug Frankel – “Brave,” “WALL-E”
Mark Gill – “The Voorman Problem,” “Full Time”
David A. S. James – “Mr. Peabody & Sherman,” “Megamind”
Fabrice Joubert – “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” “French Roast”
Jean-Claude Kalache – “Up,” “Cars”
Jason Katz – “Toy Story 3,” “Finding Nemo”
Jennifer Lee – “Frozen,” “Wreck-It Ralph”
Baldwin Li – “The Voorman Problem,” “Full Time”
Nathan Loofbourrow – “Puss in Boots,” “How to Train Your Dragon”
Lauren MacMullan – “Get a Horse!,” “Wreck-It Ralph”
Tom McGrath – “Megamind,” “Madagascar”
Dorothy McKim – “Get a Horse!,” “Meet the Robinsons”
Hayao Miyazaki – “The Wind Rises,” “Spirited Away”
Ricky Nierva – “Monsters University,” “Up”
Chris Renaud – “Despicable Me 2,” “Despicable Me”
Benjamin Renner – “Ernest & Celestine,” “A Mouse’s Tale (La Queue de la Souris)”
Michael Rose – “Chico & Rita,” “The Gruffalo”
Toshio Suzuki – “The Wind Rises,” “Howl’s Moving Castle”
Selma Vilhunen – “Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitta? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?),”
“The Crossroads”
Anders Walter – “Helium,” “9 Meter”
Laurent Witz – “Mr. Hublot,” “Renart the Fox”
Sound
Niv Adiri – “Gravity,” “The Book Thief”
Christopher Benstead – “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “Gravity”
Steve Boeddeker – “All Is Lost,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Beau Borders – “Million Dollar Arm,” “Lone Survivor”
David Brownlow – “Lone Survivor,” “The Book of Eli”
Chris Burdon – “Captain Phillips,” “Philomena”
Brent Burge – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “The Hobbit: An Unexpected
Journey”
André Fenley – “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” “All Is Lost”
Glenn Freemantle – “Gravity,” “Slumdog Millionaire”
Greg Hedgepath – “Frozen,” “The Incredible Hulk”
Craig Henighan – “Noah,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
Tony Johnson – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “Avatar”
Laurent M. Kossayan – “Red Riding Hood,” “Public Enemies”
Thomas L. Lalley – “Mr. Peabody & Sherman,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”
Ai-Ling Lee – “Godzilla,” “300: Rise of an Empire”
Stephen Morris – “Monsters University,” “Fruitvale Station”
Jeremy Peirson – “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Looper”
Mike Prestwood Smith – “Divergent,” “Captain Phillips”
Alan Rankin – “Iron Man 3,” “Star Trek”
Oliver Tarney – “Captain Phillips,” “Philomena”
Chris Ward – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “The Hobbit: An Unexpected
Journey”
Visual Effects
Gary Brozenich – “The Lone Ranger,” “Wrath of the Titans”
Everett Burrell – “Grudge Match,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”
Marc Chu – “Noah,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
David Fletcher – “Sabotage,” “Prisoners”
Swen Gillberg – “Ender’s Game,” “Jack the Giant Slayer”
Paul Graff – “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Identity Thief”
Alex Henning – “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Hugo”
Evan Jacobs – “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Olympus Has Fallen”
Chris Lawrence – “Edge of Tomorrow,” “Gravity”
Eric Leven – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking
Dawn Part 1”
Steven Messing – “Godzilla,” “Oz The Great and Powerful”
Ben Matthew Morris – “Lincoln,” “The Golden Compass”
Jake Morrison – “Thor: The Dark World,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Eric Reynolds – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “The Hunger Games:
Catching Fire”
David Shirk – “Gravity,” “Elysium”
Patrick Tubach – “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Bruno Van Zeebroeck – “Lone Survivor,” “Public Enemies”
Tim Webber – “Gravity,” “The Dark Knight”
Harold Weed – “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” “Star Trek”
Writers
Chantal Akerman – “A Couch in New York,” “Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce,
1080 Bruxelles”
Olivier Assayas – “Summer Hours,” “Irma Vep”
Craig Borten – “Dallas Buyers Club”
Scott Z. Burns – “Side Effects,” “Contagion”
Jean-Claude Carrière – “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” “The Discreet Charm of
the Bourgeoisie”
Steve Coogan – “Philomena,” “The Parole Officer”
Claire Denis – “White Material,” “Beau Travail”
Larry Gross – “We Don’t Live Here Anymore,” “48 Hrs.”
Mathieu Kassovitz – “Babylon A.D.,” “Hate (La Haine)”
Diane Kurys – “For a Woman,” “Entre Nous”
Bob Nelson – “Nebraska”
Scott Neustadter – “The Spectacular Now,” “(500) Days of Summer”
Jeff Pope – “Philomena,” “Pierrepoint – The Last Hangman”
John Ridley – “12 Years a Slave,” “Undercover Brother”
Paul Rudnick – “In & Out,” ”Jeffrey”
Eric Warren Singer – “American Hustle,” ”The International”
Melisa Wallack – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Mirror Mirror”
Michael H. Weber – “The Spectacular Now,” “(500) Days of Summer”
Terence Winter – “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”
Associates
Matt Del Piano
Joe Funicello
Robert Hohman
Paul Christopher Hook
David Kramer
Joel Lubin
David Pringle
Melanie Ramsayer
Beth Swofford
Meredith Wechter
Each year Academy members may sponsor one candidate for membership within their branch. New member application reviews take place in the spring. Applications for the coming year must be received by March 19, 2015.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception in September.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 271 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2014.
“This year’s class of invitees represents some of the most talented, creative and passionate filmmakers working in our industry today,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “Their contributions to film have entertained audiences around the world, and we are proud to welcome them to the Academy.”
The 2014 invitees are:
Actors
Barkhad Abdi – “Captain Phillips”
Clancy Brown – “The Hurricane,” “The Shawshank Redeption”
Paul Dano – “12 Years a Slave,” “Prisoners”
Michael Fassbender – “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame”
Ben Foster – “Lone Survivor,” “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”
Beth Grant – “The Artist,” “No Country for Old Men”
Clark Gregg – “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Sally Hawkins – “Blue Jasmine,” “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Josh Hutcherson – “The Hunger Games,” “The Kids Are All Right”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “Enough Said,” “Planes”
Kelly Macdonald – “Brave,” “No Country for Old Men”
Mads Mikkelsen – “The Hunt,” “Casino Royale”
Joel McKinnon Miller – “Super 8,” “The Truman Show”
Cillian Murphy – “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Inception”
Lupita Nyong'o – “Non-Stop,” “12 Years a Slave”
Rob Riggle – “21 Jump Street,” “The Hangover”
Chris Rock – “Grown Ups 2,” “Madagascar”
June Squibb – “Nebraska,” “About Schmidt”
Jason Statham – “Parker,” “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”
David Strathairn – “Lincoln,” “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Casting Directors
Douglas Aibel – “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Immigrant”
Simone Bär – “The Monuments Men,” “The Book Thief”
Kerry Barden – “August: Osage County,” “Dallas Buyers Club”
Nikki Barrett – “The Railway Man,” “The Great Gatsby”
Mark Bennett – “Drinking Buddies,” “Zero Dark Thirty”
Risa Bramon Garcia – “Speed,” “Wall Street”
Michelle Guish – “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “Nanny McPhee”
Billy Hopkins – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Disconnect”
Ros Hubbard – “Romeo & Juliet,” “The Mummy”
Allison Jones – “The Way, Way Back,” “The Heat”
Christine King – “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” “Star
Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”
Beatrice Kruger – “To Rome with Love,” “The American”
Marci Liroff – “Mean Girls,” “Pretty in Pink”
Debbie McWilliams – “Skyfall,” “Quantum of Solace”
Joseph Middleton – “TheTwilight Saga: New Moon,” “Legally Blonde”
Robi Reed – “For Colored Girls,” “Do the Right Thing”
Kevin Reher – “Monsters University,” “Finding Nemo”
Paul Schnee – “August: Osage County,” “Dallas Buyers Club”
Gail Stevens – “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Slumdog Millionaire”
Lucinda Syson – “Gravity,” “Fast and & Furious 6”
Fiona Weir – “J. Edgar,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
Ronnie Yeskel – “The Sessions,” “Atlas Shrugged Part 1”
Cinematographers
Sean Bobbitt – “12 Years a Slave,” “The Place beyond the Pines”
Philippe Le Sourd – “The Grandmaster,” “Seven Pounds”
James Neihouse – “Hubble 3D,” “Nascar: The IMAX Experience”
Masanobu Takayanagi – “Out of the Furnace,” “Silver Linings Playbook”
Bradford Young – “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints,” “Pariah”
Costume Designers
William Chang Suk Ping – “The Grandmaster,” “In the Mood for Love”
Pascaline Chavanne – “Renoir,” “Augustine”
Daniela Ciancio – “The Great Beauty,” “Il Divo”
Frank L. Fleming – “Draft Day,” “Monster’s Ball”
Maurizio Millenotti – “Hamlet,” “Otello”
Beatrix Aruna Pasztor – “Great Expectations,” “Good Will Hunting”
Karyn Wagner – “Lovelace,” “The Green Mile”
Designers
William Arnold – “Lovelace,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
K.K. Barrett – “Her,” “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
Susan Benjamin – “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Blind Side”
Bill Boes – “The Smurfs 2,” “Fantastic Four”
Tony Fanning – “Contraband,” “War of the Worlds”
Robert Greenfield – “Priest,” “Almost Famous”
Marcia Hinds – “I Spy,” “The Public Eye”
Sonja Brisbane Klaus – “Prometheus,” “Robin Hood”
David S. Lazan – “Flight,” “American Beauty”
Diane Lederman – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Tower Heist”
Heather Loeffler – “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”
Christa Munro – “Jack Reacher,” “Erin Brockovich”
Andy Nicholson – “Gravity,” “The Host”
Adam Stockhausen – “12 Years a Slave,” “Moonrise Kingdom”
Directors
Hany Abu-Assad – “Omar,” “Paradise Now”
Jay Duplass – “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” “Cyrus”
Mark Duplass – “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” “Cyrus”
David Gordon Green – “Joe,” “Pineapple Express”
Gavin O’Connor – “Warrior,” “Miracle”
Gina Prince-Bythewood – “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Love and Basketball”
Paolo Sorrentino – “The Great Beauty,” “This Must Be the Place”
Jean-Marc Vallée – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Young Victoria”
Felix van Groeningen – “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” “The Misfortunates”
Denis Villeneuve – “Prisoners,” “Incendies”
Thomas Vinterberg – “The Hunt,” “The Celebration”
Documentary
Malcolm Clarke – “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life,” “Prisoner of Paradise”
Dan Cogan – “How to Survive a Plague,” “The Queen of Versailles”
Kief Davidson – “Open Heart,” “Kassim the Dream”
Dan Geller – “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden,” “Ballets Russes”
Dayna Goldfine – “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden,” “Ballets Russes”
Julie Goldman – “God Loves Uganda,” “Gideon’s Army”
Sam Green – “Utopia in Four Movements,” “The Weather Underground”
Gary Hustwit – “Urbanized,” “Helvetica”
Eugene Jarecki – “The House I Live In,” “Why We Fight”
Brian Johnson – “Anita,” “Buena Vista Social Club”
Ross Kauffman – “E-Team,” “Born into Brothels”
Morgan Neville – “20 Feet from Stardom,” “Troubadours”
Matthew J. O'Neill – “Redemption,” “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan
Province”
Rithy Panh – “The Missing Picture,” “S-21: The Khmer Rouge Death Machine”
Lucy Massie Phenix – “Regret to Inform,” “Word Is Out”
Enat Sidi – “Detropia,” “Jesus Camp”
Molly Thompson – “The Unknown Known,” “Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer”
Cynthia Wade – “Mondays at Racine,” “Freeheld”
Executives
Adrian Alperovich
Sean Bailey
Len Blavatnik
Nicholas Carpou
Nancy Carson
Charles S. Cohen
Jason Constantine
Peter Cramer
William Kyle Davies
Christopher Floyd
David Garrett
David Hollis
Tomas Jegeus
Michelle Raimo Kouyate
Anthony James Marcoly
Hiroyasu Matsuoka
Kim Roth
John Sloss
Film Editors
Alan Baumgarten – “American Hustle,” “Gangster Squad”
Alan Edward Bell – “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”
Dorian Harris – “The Magic of Belle Isle,” “The Mod Squad”
Sabrina Plisco – “The Smurfs 2,” “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”
Tatiana S. Riegel – “Million Dollar Arm,” “The Way, Way Back”
Julie Rogers – “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”
Mark Sanger – “Gravity”
Joan Sobel – “Admission,” “A Single Man”
Crispin Struthers – “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”
Tracey Wadmore-Smith – “About Last Night,” “Death at a Funeral”
Joe Walker – “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame”
John Wilson – “The Book Thief,” “Billy Elliot”
Makeup Artists and Hairstylists
Vivian Baker – “Oz The Great and Powerful,” “Conviction”
Adruitha Lee – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “12 Years a Slave”
Robin Mathews – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “The Runaways”
Anne Morgan – “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” “A Little Bit of Heaven”
Gloria Pasqua-Casny – “The Lone Ranger,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”
Members-at-Large
Peter Becker
Jeff Dashnaw
Kenneth L. Halsband
Jody Levin
Tom MacDougall
Chuck Picerni, Jr.
Spiro Razatos
Mic Rodgers
Kevin J. Yeaman
Music
Kristen Anderson-Lopez – “Frozen,” “Winnie the Pooh”
Stanley Clarke – “The Best Man Holiday,” “Boyz N the Hood”
Earl Ghaffari – “Frozen,” “Wreck-It Ralph”
Steve Jablonsky – “Lone Survivor,” “Ender’s Game”
Robert Lopez – “Frozen,” “Winnie the Pooh”
Steven Price – “Gravity,” “The World’s End”
Tony Renis – “Hidden Moon,” “Quest for Camelot”
Angie Rubin – “Pitch Perfect,” “Sex and the City”
Buck Sanders – “Warm Bodies,” “The Hurt Locker”
Charles Strouse – “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” “Annie”
Eddie Vedder – “Eat Pray Love,” “Into the Wild”
Pharrell Williams – “Despicable Me 2,” “Fast & Furious”
Producers
Jason Blumenthal – “Hope Springs,” “Seven Pounds”
Dana Brunetti – “Captain Phillips,” “The Social Network”
Megan Ellison – “American Hustle,” “Her”
Sean Furst – “Daybreakers,” “The Cooler”
Nicola Giuliano – “The Great Beauty,” “This Must Be the Place”
Preston Holmes – “Waist Deep,” “Tupac: Resurrection”
Lynette M. Howell – “The Place beyond the Pines,” “Blue Valentine”
Anthony Katagas – “12 Years a Slave,” “Killing Them Softly”
Alix Madigan – “Girl Most Likely,” “Winter’s Bone”
Paul Mezey – “The Girl,” “Maria Full of Grace”
Stephen Nemeth – “The Sessions,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”
Tracey Seaward – “Philomena,” “The Queen”
John H. Williams – “Space Chimps,” “Shrek 2”
Public Relations
Larry Angrisani
Nancy Bannister
Christine Batista
Karen Hermelin
Marisa McGrath Liston
David Magdael
Steven Raphael
Bettina R. Sherick
Dani Weinstein
Short Films and Feature Animation
Didier Brunner – “Ernest & Celestine,” “The Triplets of Belleville”
Scott Clark – “Monsters University,” “Up”
Pierre Coffin – “Despicable Me 2,” “Despicable Me”
Esteban Crespo – “Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn’t Me),” “Lala”
Peter Del Vecho – “Frozen,” “The Princess and the Frog”
Kirk DeMicco – “The Croods,” “Space Chimps”
Doug Frankel – “Brave,” “WALL-E”
Mark Gill – “The Voorman Problem,” “Full Time”
David A. S. James – “Mr. Peabody & Sherman,” “Megamind”
Fabrice Joubert – “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” “French Roast”
Jean-Claude Kalache – “Up,” “Cars”
Jason Katz – “Toy Story 3,” “Finding Nemo”
Jennifer Lee – “Frozen,” “Wreck-It Ralph”
Baldwin Li – “The Voorman Problem,” “Full Time”
Nathan Loofbourrow – “Puss in Boots,” “How to Train Your Dragon”
Lauren MacMullan – “Get a Horse!,” “Wreck-It Ralph”
Tom McGrath – “Megamind,” “Madagascar”
Dorothy McKim – “Get a Horse!,” “Meet the Robinsons”
Hayao Miyazaki – “The Wind Rises,” “Spirited Away”
Ricky Nierva – “Monsters University,” “Up”
Chris Renaud – “Despicable Me 2,” “Despicable Me”
Benjamin Renner – “Ernest & Celestine,” “A Mouse’s Tale (La Queue de la Souris)”
Michael Rose – “Chico & Rita,” “The Gruffalo”
Toshio Suzuki – “The Wind Rises,” “Howl’s Moving Castle”
Selma Vilhunen – “Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitta? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?),”
“The Crossroads”
Anders Walter – “Helium,” “9 Meter”
Laurent Witz – “Mr. Hublot,” “Renart the Fox”
Sound
Niv Adiri – “Gravity,” “The Book Thief”
Christopher Benstead – “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “Gravity”
Steve Boeddeker – “All Is Lost,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Beau Borders – “Million Dollar Arm,” “Lone Survivor”
David Brownlow – “Lone Survivor,” “The Book of Eli”
Chris Burdon – “Captain Phillips,” “Philomena”
Brent Burge – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “The Hobbit: An Unexpected
Journey”
André Fenley – “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” “All Is Lost”
Glenn Freemantle – “Gravity,” “Slumdog Millionaire”
Greg Hedgepath – “Frozen,” “The Incredible Hulk”
Craig Henighan – “Noah,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
Tony Johnson – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “Avatar”
Laurent M. Kossayan – “Red Riding Hood,” “Public Enemies”
Thomas L. Lalley – “Mr. Peabody & Sherman,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”
Ai-Ling Lee – “Godzilla,” “300: Rise of an Empire”
Stephen Morris – “Monsters University,” “Fruitvale Station”
Jeremy Peirson – “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Looper”
Mike Prestwood Smith – “Divergent,” “Captain Phillips”
Alan Rankin – “Iron Man 3,” “Star Trek”
Oliver Tarney – “Captain Phillips,” “Philomena”
Chris Ward – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “The Hobbit: An Unexpected
Journey”
Visual Effects
Gary Brozenich – “The Lone Ranger,” “Wrath of the Titans”
Everett Burrell – “Grudge Match,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”
Marc Chu – “Noah,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
David Fletcher – “Sabotage,” “Prisoners”
Swen Gillberg – “Ender’s Game,” “Jack the Giant Slayer”
Paul Graff – “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Identity Thief”
Alex Henning – “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Hugo”
Evan Jacobs – “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Olympus Has Fallen”
Chris Lawrence – “Edge of Tomorrow,” “Gravity”
Eric Leven – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking
Dawn Part 1”
Steven Messing – “Godzilla,” “Oz The Great and Powerful”
Ben Matthew Morris – “Lincoln,” “The Golden Compass”
Jake Morrison – “Thor: The Dark World,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Eric Reynolds – “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “The Hunger Games:
Catching Fire”
David Shirk – “Gravity,” “Elysium”
Patrick Tubach – “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Bruno Van Zeebroeck – “Lone Survivor,” “Public Enemies”
Tim Webber – “Gravity,” “The Dark Knight”
Harold Weed – “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” “Star Trek”
Writers
Chantal Akerman – “A Couch in New York,” “Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce,
1080 Bruxelles”
Olivier Assayas – “Summer Hours,” “Irma Vep”
Craig Borten – “Dallas Buyers Club”
Scott Z. Burns – “Side Effects,” “Contagion”
Jean-Claude Carrière – “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” “The Discreet Charm of
the Bourgeoisie”
Steve Coogan – “Philomena,” “The Parole Officer”
Claire Denis – “White Material,” “Beau Travail”
Larry Gross – “We Don’t Live Here Anymore,” “48 Hrs.”
Mathieu Kassovitz – “Babylon A.D.,” “Hate (La Haine)”
Diane Kurys – “For a Woman,” “Entre Nous”
Bob Nelson – “Nebraska”
Scott Neustadter – “The Spectacular Now,” “(500) Days of Summer”
Jeff Pope – “Philomena,” “Pierrepoint – The Last Hangman”
John Ridley – “12 Years a Slave,” “Undercover Brother”
Paul Rudnick – “In & Out,” ”Jeffrey”
Eric Warren Singer – “American Hustle,” ”The International”
Melisa Wallack – “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Mirror Mirror”
Michael H. Weber – “The Spectacular Now,” “(500) Days of Summer”
Terence Winter – “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”
Associates
Matt Del Piano
Joe Funicello
Robert Hohman
Paul Christopher Hook
David Kramer
Joel Lubin
David Pringle
Melanie Ramsayer
Beth Swofford
Meredith Wechter
Each year Academy members may sponsor one candidate for membership within their branch. New member application reviews take place in the spring. Applications for the coming year must be received by March 19, 2015.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception in September.
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