NEGROMANCER 2.0: Netflix

Showing posts with label Netflix. Show all posts

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Review: "MEA CULPA" May Be Tyler Perry's Craziest Movie... Yet

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 19 of 2024 (No. 1963) by Leroy Douresseaux

Mea Culpa (2024)

Running time: 120 minutes (2 hours)

MPA – R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language, some violence and drug use

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Tyler Perry

PRODUCERS: Will Areu, Tyler Perry, Angi Bones, and Kelly Rowland

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Cody Burmester (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Larry Sexton

COMPOSERS: Amanda Delores and Patricia Jones

DRAMA/THRILLER

Starring: Kelly Rowland, Trevante Rhodes, Nick Sagar, Sean Sagar, RonReaco Lee, Shannon Thornton, Kerry O'Malley, Arianna Barron, Connor Weil, Maria Gabriela Gonzalez, Paul Ryden, Ava Hill, and Angela Robinson

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

--Tyler Perry's Mea Culpa could be titled Tyler Perry's I Want to Screw My Client

--The first half of the film is a slow-burn (slightly dull) romantic thriller; the second half is an explosion of WTF moments

--Despite poorly developed and under-utilized characters and middling dialogue, Mea Culpa is a typical shameless Tyler Perry guilty pleasure – that I found somewhat pleasurable.

Mea Culpa is a 2024 drama and legal thriller from writer-director Tyler Perry. The film is a “Netflix Original,” Perry's fourth for the streamer (as of this writing), and it began streaming on Netflix February 23, 2024. Mea Culpa follows an ambitious criminal defense attorney who takes on the case of an artist accused of murder, which only further complicates her own dysfunctional marriage.

Mea Culpa introduces Chicago-based defense attorney, Mea Harper (Kelly Rowland). She and her husband, Kal Harper (Sean Sagar), are having marital difficulties, made worse by Kal's overbearing and interfering white mother, Azalia (Kerry O'Malley). Forced to financially support the two of them because of Kal's professional and personal problems, Mea decides to take on the defense of an accused murderer. Acclaimed portrait painter, Zyair Malloy (Trevante Rhodes), has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Hydie (Maria Gabriela Gonzalez). Her body is missing, but there is enough blood evidence in Zyair's loft, where he lives and paints, to get him charged with murder.

The problem is that Mea's brother-in-law and Kal's older brother, Raymond “Ray” Harper (Nick Sagar), is the assistant district attorney who is prosecuting Zyair's murder case. Also complicating matters is that Zyair does not respect boundaries and wants to f**k Mea. Eventually, Mea will have to admit “mea culpa,” but that might not save her from the myriad conspiracies that surround Zyair Malloy and this case.

Mea culpa is a Latin phrase that means “my fault” or “my mistake,” and it is also an acknowledgment of having done wrong, a wrong that could have been avoided. It's my fault that I love Tyler Perry's work so much because otherwise, I would not have watched Mea Culpa. Make no mistake, however; loving Tyler Perry films, no matter how crazy they are, is not a wrong. Mea Culpa may be Perry's craziest non-Madea film to date, being even wackier than Temptations: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013).

Mea Culpa is quite enjoyable, especially the second hour of the film. Critics tend to fault Perry's screenwriting, but the plot for Mea Culpa isn't any more nonsensical than a host of legal and erotic thrillers from the past five decades. I'm thinking of Body Heat (1981), Presumed Innocent (1990), and Primal Fear (1996), to name a few. If Mea Culpa had been released around a quarter-century ago, it would have been considered a clone of the classic erotic thriller, Basic Instinct (1992).

Where Perry's writing shows weakness is the dialogue and character development. If the actors in this film seem average or mediocre to you, dear readers, I would bet it is because they are trying to build convincing characters while mouthing stiff, unimaginative dialogue. The film's actual plot and action is not anywhere near as bland as the dialogue. In fact, when this film finally explodes in the second half, even bad dialogue can't keep Mea Culpa's cheesy, shameless melodrama and violence from being its trashiest and most glorious self. The shame of it is that there are some very interesting characters who are not fully realized and who would have made much the action in this film seem plausible, at the very least. Perhaps, Mea Culpa should have been a miniseries instead of a film.

I must say that Mea Culpa may be Tyler Perry's most beautifully photographed film; kudos to director of photography, Cody Burmester. The cinematography captures Kelly Rowland's unappreciated beauty, and when she gets nude, the camera celebrates her fineness. Yes, Trevante Rhodes as Zyair Malloy is also fine, and the camera suggests that his big muscular body also comes with... an impressive endowment. Yeah, the sex scene between Mea and Zyair is kinda funny, but they look so good pumping and bumping and grinding.

With Mea Culpa, Tyler Perry does unleash “strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language, some violence and drug use” as the “R” rating declares. However, Perry's first almost NC-17 makes me love his work even more, and it makes me hope for future movies like Mea Culpa or even better. I'll say “mea culpa” if I'm wrong and be happy about it.

6 of 10

★★★ out of 4 stars

Thursday, April 18, 2024

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Saturday, March 16, 2024

Comics Review: "REBEL MOON: House of the Bloodaxe #2" is a Family Affair

REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #2

TITAN COMICS

STORY: Zack Snyder

SCRIPT: Magdalene Visaggio

ART: Clark Bint

COLORS: Francesco Segala with Sabrina Del Grosso (flats)

LETTERS: Andworld Designs Jame

EDITORS: Phoebe Hedges and Calum Collins

COVER: Daniel Warren Johnson

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Francesco Tomaseli; Giannis Milonogiannis; Giuseppe Cafaro with Marco Lesko

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire is epic space opera film directed by Zack Snyder. It is written by Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten and is based on a story conceived by Snyder. Rebel Moon is set in a galaxy that is ruled by the imperialistic “Motherworld,” whose military, “the Imperium,” threatens a farming colony on the moon of “Veldt.” Kora, a former Imperium soldier, goes on a quest to recruit warriors from across the galaxy to make a stand against the Imperium before they return to Veldt.

Titan Comics is producing a Rebel Moon comic book miniseries, Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe, that acts as a prequel to A Child of Fire. It is written by Magdalene Visaggio from a story by Zack Snyder; drawn by Clark Bint; colored by Francesco Segala; and lettered by Jame. House of the Bloodaxe is set five years before the events of the film, Rebel Moon, and depicts the back story of the characters, siblings Devra and Darrian Bloodaxe.

Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe opens on the planet Shusa. Its ruler, Lord Shasu, Yisrael of the Bloodaxe family, must deal with a rapidly changing situation. War looms and Lord Shasu must find balance in the conflict between living up to his father’s domineering legacy and maintaining the peace. However, a terrorist act has put Motherworld and the empire in turmoil, and, for now, the focus will be on the planet Shasu.

Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #2 opens with war looming on the horizon for the planet Shasu. On Motherworld, a terrorist act has left the entire royal family dead, and the terrorists are said to originate on Shasu.

Though he may be the reluctant ruler of the Bloodaxe family, Lord Shasu struggles to maintain the peace, even as the terrorist act has put Motherworld and the empire in turmoil. With the focus on the planet Shasu, Lord Shasu's two children, his son, Darrian Bloodaxe, and his daughter, Devra Bloodaxe, have plans of their own about defending the planet.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #2 is a recent arrival.

As of this writing, I have not seen Netflix's Rebel Moon movies, but I hope to do so in the near future. Rebel Moon has been a much anticipated film since its announcement at least two years ago.

Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #1 was an interesting read, and issue #2 is just as interesting. The art by Clark Bin and the colors by Francesco Segala create riveting graphical storytelling that not only pulls the reader into an interstellar mystery, but also transports readers to a science fiction and space opera milieu that feels inviting. The art here also recalls the work of the late, great French illustrator, comic book artist and creator, Moebius. This first two issues of this series are both exotic and visually and graphically different from most American comic books.

Writer Mags Visaggio pulls off the difficult task of establishing the back story and also of introducing the central conflicts and primary dilemma the main characters will face in the present. This is really good writing, and I look forward to more of it.

Readers looking for space opera and science fiction comic books may find something or even quite a bit to like about Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe. I feel safe in saying that fans of Titan Comics' sci-fi titles should give this a try.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Rebel Moon the film may want to try at least the first issue of Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe.

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

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Review: DreamWorks' "ORION AND THE DARK" Takes on Childhood Fears

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 12 of 2024 (No. 1956) by Leroy Douresseaux

Orion and the Dark (2024)

Running time: 93 minutes (1 hour, 33 minutes)

MPA – not rated

DIRECTOR: Sean Charmatz

WRITERS: Charlie Kaufman (based on the book by Emma Yarlett)

PRODUCER: Peter McCown

EDITOR: Kevin Sukho Lee

COMPOSERS: Kevin Lax and Robert Lydecker

ANIMATION/FANTASY/ADVENTURE and COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring: (voices): Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin Hanks, Mia Akemi Brown, Ike Barinholtz, Nat Faxon, Golda Rosheuvel, Natasia Demetriou, Aparna Nancherla, Carla Gugino, Matt Dellapina, Nick Kishiyama, Shino Nakamichi, Werner Herzog, and Angela Bassett

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

Orion and the Dark is a unique animated film that is about a child learning to accept fear as a part of life without letting it control him.

Orion and the Dark has an eclectic cast full of surprising characters, but Orion and Dark are this film's winning pair.

Orion and the Dark is a good family film, especially for parents and for children who are of middle grade age and younger. I find it to be too deep in its feelies, but it will tug on the heartstrings of its intended audience.

Orion and the Dark is a 2024 animated fantasy-adventure and comedy-drama film directed by Sean Charmatz and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The film is animated by French production company, Mikros Animation, and is also a “Netflix Original” that began streaming on Netflix February 2, 2024.

Orion and the Dark is based on the 2015 children's book, Orion and the Dark, from author Emma Yarlett. Orion and the Dark the movie focuses on a boy whose active imagination causes him to be scared of everything and on the entity that takes him on an incredible journey.

Orion and the Dark introduces 11-year-old Orion Mendelson (Jacob Tremblay). He is a severely anxious child with a long list of irrational fears. He is a schoolboy with a fear of speaking in front of class, being bullied, ending up in a toilet, and a fear of speaking to Sally (Shino Nakamichi), the girl of his dreams, of course. Outside of school, he also has a bunch of fears, including the fear of getting eaten by a shark, but at home its is worse.

Orion is afraid of the night, especially of the dark and of all the dark places in his bedroom. Orion's father (Matt Dellapina) and mother (Carla Gugino) have a difficult time getting him to bed. One night a giant, smiling creature slithers into his room. He introduces himself as “Dark,” the embodiment of Orion's worst fear, the dark. Tired of hearing Orion's constant complaints about him (the dark), Dark takes the 11-year-old on an adventure to help him overcome his fears and to appreciate the benefits of nighttime and of the dark. But there are plenty of dangers along the way, including Dark's rival, “Light” (Ike Barinholtz), and Orion's own deep-seated fears.

Orion and the Dark is a beautifully animated film with simple, but evocative character and concept design. It took me awhile to remember that Orion and the Dark reminds me of the 2014 DreamWorks Animation film, Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Both films share a visual aesthetic, possibly because artist and designer, Timothy Lamb, served as the production designer on the two films. Both films also convey their fantastical settings and surreal environments via eye-appealing art and design that have a children's picture book quality.

I do have one gripe about Orion and the Dark. The film does have a heart – a center – which is that both Orion and Dark have to learn something about themselves and to overcome self-doubt. The film, however, also has sentiment, and it is, at times, exceedingly sentimental, which can be both heartwarming and saccharine. Orion and the Dark is sometimes too much in its emotions and feelies, so much so that by the end, I thought the film was trying to give me an insulin attack. Orion and the Dark pounds on its parent-child themes and dynamics with schmaltzy consistency.

I want to avoid spoilers. Still, I will say that Orion and the Dark does have a time-travel subplot courtesy of screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind), who is known for creating elaborate, twisty, meta screenplays. Orion and the Dark has several interesting supporting characters, especially Dark's fellow “Night Entities,” so many so that I could see it becoming an animated television series. Orion and the Dark is unique and quite well made, and many may find its heartwarming insistence just what we need in these dark times.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

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Friday, February 9, 2024

Review: "A MADEA HOMECOMING" Doesn't Come Out Quite Right

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 of 2024 (No. 1950) by Leroy Douresseaux

A Madea Homecoming (2022)

Running time: 105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for crude sexual content, language, and drug references throughout

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Tyler Perry

PRODUCERS: Will Areu and Mark E. Swinton

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Taylor Randall (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Larry Sexton

COMPOSER: Philip White

COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring: Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, David Mann, Tamela J. Mann, Gabrielle Dennis, Brendan O'Carroll, Jennifer Gibney, Brandon Black, Isha Blaaker, Candace Maxwell, Geneva Maccarone, and Amani Atkinson

A Madea Homecoming is a 2022 African-American comedy-drama from writer-director Tyler Perry. It is the 12th film in the Madea film series. The film is a Netflix original and was released to the streaming service on February 25, 2022. In A Madea Homecoming, family drama erupts and secrets are revealed during the celebration of Madea's great-grandson's college graduation.

A Madea Homecoming opens in Atlanta, Georgia. Mabel “Madea” Simmons (Tyler Perry) is preparing for the arrival of her extended family. Uncle Joe (Tyler Perry) is criticizing people, and Mr. Brown (David Mann) is about to set himself afire while preparing the barbecue pit. It is a special time for Madea's daughter, Cora Simmons (Tamela J. Mann), because of the impending arrival of her daughters, Laura (Gabrielle Dennis) and Ellie (Candace Maxwell). Laura's son, Timothy “Tim” Marshall (Brandon Black), is graduating from college. He is traveling to Madea's house with his best friend and fellow graduate, Davi O'Malley (Isha Blaaker), for a large family dinner before graduation day.

But there are some surprises arriving, also. Tim has a secret to tell his family. Laura has a secret. Laura's divorce attorney, Sylvia (Geneva Maccarone), has a secret. Richard (Amani Atkinson), Laura's ex and Tim's father, has a secret to tell, although Madea doesn't want him at her house. Davi has a secret. Davi's great-aunt, Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll), and Agnes' daughter and David's cousin, Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney), have a secret. They're coming to Madea's, but they weren't invited. And it isn't a secret that Betty Ann Murphy a.k.a. “Aunt Bam” (Cassi Davis) is usually high, and everyone else may have to get high to make it through the family drama that is about to erupt.

2019's A Madea Family Funeral was supposed to be the final film in the Madea film series, but I ain't complaining. A Madea Homecoming is similar to A Madea Family Funeral in that it features a large cast of new extended family members that many of us didn't know that Madea had. Unfortunately, the 2019 film is better put together than A Madea Homecoming.

First, it should be noted that A Madea Homecoming is a crossover with British-Irish sitcom, “Mrs. Brown's Boys,” which is headlined by the character, “Agnes Brown,” played by Irish actor, Brendan O'Carroll. Agnes Brown has been called the “Irish Madea,” but because this is my first encounter with O'Carroll and his character, I can't say otherwise. Truthfully, neither the Agnes nor Cathy characters really add that much to A Madea Homecoming, but they are a pleasant addition, at least.

A Madea Homecoming has many, many very funny moments, but the film seems too long and too much of a rehash of scandals that have appeared in earlier films in the series. The main plot and subplot feel more flat and dry than lively and funny. The most consistently funny part of this movie is Madea Beyoncé parody that runs over the end credits, and Madea in a blonde Beyoncé wig singing off-key with the “Marcella Band” is delightful.

When I reviewed A Madea Family Funeral in 2021, I said that if it were indeed the final Madea film, I could say that the series went out on a relatively high note. Madea returns on an off-key note with A Madea Homecoming, and it isn't the final Madea film. Coming sometime in the future is Madea's Destination Wedding.

5 of 10

C+

★★½ out of 4 stars

Friday, February 9, 2024

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Friday, January 12, 2024

Comics Review: "REBEL MOON: House of the Bloodaxe #1" Has a Heavy Metal Vibe

REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1

TITAN COMICS

STORY: Zack Snyder

SCRIPT: Magdalene Visaggio

ART: Clark Bint

COLORS: Francesco Segala with Sabrina Del Grosso (flats)

LETTERS: Andworld Design's Jame

EDITORS: Phoebe Hedges and Calum Collins

COVER: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rafael Albuquerque; Baldemar Rivas; Andrea Olimieri; Federico Bertoni; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2024); on sale Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Suggested for mature readers

Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire is epic space opera film directed by Zack Snyder. It is written by Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten and is based on a story conceived by Snyder. Rebel Moon is set in a galaxy that is ruled by the imperialistic “Motherworld,” whose military, “the Imperium,” threatens a farming colony on the moon of “Veldt.” Kora, a former Imperium soldier, goes on a quest to recruit warriors from across the galaxy to make a stand against the Imperium before they return to Veldt.

Titan Comics is producing a Rebel Moon comic book miniseries, Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe, that acts as a prequel to A Child of Fire. It is written by Magdalene Visaggio from a story by Zack Snyder; drawn by Clark Bint; colored by Francesco Segala; and lettered by Jame. House of the Bloodaxe is set five years before the events of the film, Revel Moon, and depicts the back story of the characters, siblings Devra and Darrian Bloodaxe.

Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #1 opens on the planet Shusa, some 30 years before the main story. This is the tale of how the future Lord Shusa, Yisrael, met his future wife, Amirami. In the present, this day is the funeral of Amirami, and rather than grief his wife, the present Lord Shasu must deal with the rapidly changing present.

War is looming on the horizon for the planet Shasu. Though he may be the reluctant ruler of the Bloodaxe family, Yisrael, must find balance in the conflict between living up to his father’s domineering legacy and maintaining the peace. However, a terrorist act has put Motherworld and the empire in turmoil, and, for now, the focus will be on the planet Shasu.

How will this change the lives of the Lord Shasu's two children by Amirami, his son, Darrian Bloodaxe, and his daughter, Devra Bloodaxe?

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #1 is a recent arrival.

I have not seen Netflix's first of two Rebel Moon movies, but I hope to do so in the near future. Rebel Moon has been a much anticipated film since its announcement at least two years ago.

Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #1 is an interesting comic book. For one, the art by Clark Bin and the colors by Francesco Segala recall the art of the late, great French illustrator, comic book artist and creator, Moebius. Looking at that comic book reminds me of looking at the first issues of the American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine, Heavy Metal. This first issue is both exotic and visually and graphically different from most American comic books.

The script by Mags Visaggio has a difficult job. It must establish the back story while introducing the central conflict and primary dilemma the main characters will face. And, for the most part, Visaggio's script pulls it off. I'm ready to read more of the miniseries.

Readers looking for space opera science fiction comic books may find something or even quite a bit to like about Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe #1. I feel safe in saying that fans of Titan Comics' sci-fi titles give this a try.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Rebel Moon the film may want to try at least the first issue of Rebel Moon: House of the Bloodaxe.

A-

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

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Comics Review: "BIG GAME #5" Brings in the Big Names

BIG GAME #5 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Pepe Larraz

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Pepe Larraz with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dike Ruan with Giovanna Niro

52pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (November 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Big Game is a five-issue comic book event miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz. Big Game is a crossover event series that pulls together all the franchises that are part of Millar's company/imprint, “Millarworld.” That includes Kick-Ass, The Magic Order, and Wanted, to name a few. Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series' creative team.

Big Game is a sequel to the first Millarworld comic book miniseries, Wanted (2003-04). The stars of that series, The Fraternity, the super-villains that secretly rule the world, defeated their superhero adversaries in 1986. Now, this entity is concerned about the reemergence of superheroes, so it unleashes it new superhero killer, Nemesis (from Nemesis: Reloaded), on a hero-assassination spree.

Big Game #5 opens in Singapore, Moscow, and New York. It is in these places that Diabolos the Sorcerer makes his announcement on behalf of his master, King Morax (Empress). Diabolos has traveled millions of years from Earth's deep history in order to speak to the planet's true leader, Wesley Gibson, the secret Lord of the Earth (Wanted).

But for all the flexing Wesley and Diabolos will commit in front of each other, everything hinges on Hit-Girl/Mindy McCready (Kick-Ass). Can she stop Nemesis' superhero murder spree before it starts … again? Guest-starring the stars of The Ambassadors, Huck, Night Club, Starlight, and a surprise.

THE LOWDOWN: I have been receiving PDF review copies of Netflix/Millarworld's comic book titles since late 2021. Big Game #5 is the latest.

Big Game #5 is the end of, what is for me, the most readable comic book crossover event of the last fifteen years. I have read some event series that started off grand and ended with a whimper (Marvel's recent Heroes Reborn). I have read some that are full of sound and fury signifying nothing but perpetual noise (DC Comics' Dark Metal).

Writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz offer a satisfying ending that brings together all the elements, hooks, and twists from throughout Millarworld, although I will say that Big Game #5 doesn't have the big game of previous four issues. This conclusion leaves me satisfied, and I am anticipating what comes next.

Millar seems to promise a brave new Millarworld going forward, and I want to be there. So, dear readers, perhaps you should get that Big Game trade paperback for some good reading. Add it to your gift list.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and especially of his Millarworld titles will want to read Big Game.

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

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Saturday, November 18, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 12th to 18th, 2023 - Update #19

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STREAMING - From Deadline: Recent horror movie hit, "The Exorcist: Believer" (the sequel to the 1973 hit, "The Exorcist"), will begin streaming on Peacock December 1st.

BOND - From BritishVogue: Oscar-winning actress, Olivia Colman ("The Favourite"), says she wants to play the new "M" in the next James Bond film.

MOVIES - From Variety: Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio says that he has thanked Oscar-nominee Sharon Stone for paying his salary in order for him to be in director Sam Raimi's revisionist Western, "The Quick and the Dead" (1995). At the time, Stone wanted DiCaprio in the film, but the studio, TriStar Pictures, refused to cast him.

MOVIES - From Deadline: "Dune: Part Two" moves up its release date to March 1st, 2024 from March 15th. The sequel to 2021's Oscar-winning Dune was originally slated to be released earlier this month (November).

TELEVISION - From Deadline: ABC has announced its post-strike midseason broadcast schedule. Everything kicks off Jan. 22nd with a two-hour premiere of "The Bachelor."

STREAMING - From Deadline: Paramount+ is ending its drama "SEAL Team" after the upcoming seventh season. The series originated on CBS, where it remained for five seasons before moving to Paramount+ for Season 6.

DISNEY - From Variety: Disney CEO Bob Iger says that "Frozen 3" in in the works and that there might be a "Frozen 4." The films would be the second and third sequels to the Oscar-winning 2013 film, Frozen.

MOVIES - From Variety: Christopher Nolan suggests his recent acclaimed hit film, "Oppenheimer," on Blu-ray and own it at home and put it on a shelf "so no evil streaming service can come steal it from you." "Oppenheimer" arrives on Blu-ray Nov. 21st.

TELEVISION - From Variety: CBS is bringing its hit sitcom, "Young Sheldon," to an end with the series upcoming seventh season. "Young Sheldon" Season 7 will debut Feb. 15th and will end with a one-hour series finale set for May 16th, 2023.

From Deadline: The cast of the CBS sitcom, "Young Sheldon," reacts to the news that the upcoming seventh season will be the series' last.

DISNEY - From Variety: Disney is merging Disney+ and Hulu into one application sometime in late March 2024. Customers who have the current Disney+/Hulu bundle will be able to beta test the new merged app beginning in December.

SCANDAL - From Deadline: Samuel Haskell IV, the 35-year-old son of prominent television producer, Sam Haskell, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a headless torso was found several miles from his Los Angeles home. He has been charged with three counts of murder for the deaths of his wife and her parents.

STAGE - From Variety: Oscar-nominee Steve Carell will make his Broadway debut playing the title character in a revival of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” (1897). The production, which will be performed at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, will begin previews April 2, 2024, and open on April 24, 2024.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: CBS has unveiled its mid-season 2023-24 schedule, which will feature new and returning series arriving mid-Feb. 2024. Two planned new 2023-24 series, the "Matlock" reboot and Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans, Jr.'s "Poppa's House," will now debut in the 2024-25 season.

NETFLIX - From Deadline: Netflix has attached Denzel Washington to play the ancient Carthaginian general, Hannibal, in an untitled epic drama that will reteam Washington with his frequent collaborator, director Antoine Fuqua. John Logan will write the screenplay.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 11/10 to 11/12/2023 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "The Marvels" with an estimated take of 47 million dollars.

From Here: A review of "The Marvels" by Leroy Douresseaux.

DISNEY - From Deadline: The first trailer for Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" has set a viewership record for Disney films. It has had 157 million views in 24 hours. The film is set for a June 14, 2024 debut in theaters.

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ACTORS STRIKE:

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA has produced a summary of its "2023 Tentative Agreement" that ended the 118-day long actors' strike. SAG-AFTRA members can begin voting on the agreement tomorrow, Tues., Nov. 14th. The voting can continue until the first week of December.

From IndieWire: The site takes a look at the details of the tentative agreement between SAG-AFTRA (the actors' union) and the AMPTP (the Hollywood studios) that ended the 118-day actors' strike.

From Deadline: The SAG-AFTRA national board, by a majority vote, approved the tentative agreement reached with the AMPTP to end the actors' strike. Now, the actors vote...

From Variety: The Hollywood studios have agreed to adjust language on artificial intelligence (AI) in their contract negotiations with SAG-AFTRA to end the 117-day actors' strike.

From THR: SAG-AFTRA is evaluating the studios' "last, best and final offer" to end the actors' strike.

From Deadline: The studios have delivered a new contract deal to SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, and more strike talks are scheduled to be held this weekend.

From Deadline: Striking actors are set to meet the studios today for Halloween negotiations, but they are still "far apart on key issues."

From Variety: SAG-AFTRA (actors) and AMPTP (studios) will resume strike negotiations tomorrow (Tues., Oct. 24th).

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher says that the offer from top-earning Hollywood actors to chip in some money to help end the strike "isn't legally compatible with the union's contract.

From Deadline: Top earning Hollywood actors want to chip in some money to end the SAG-AFTRA strike.

From Deadline: George Clooney, Emma Stone, Ben Affleck, Tyler Perry and Scarlett Johansson were among a group of top talent guild members that spoke Tuesday (Oct. 17th) with guild president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland for a detailed debrief, we hear.

From Deadline: The movie studios via AMPTP have suspended their talks with striking actors via SAG-AFTRA. The snag seems to be that actors want "2 precent of potential profits" on streaming.

From Variety: SAG-AFTRA (the actors) and AMPTP (the studios) are to resume strike talks Wed., Oct. 11th, as the actors strike enters Day 88.

From Deadline: The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Hollywood studios CEOs met for strike talks for the first time since the actors went on strike July 14th. They plan to meet again, Wed., Oct. 4th.

BREAKING - From Deadline: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end its strike after nearly five months. The parties finalized the framework of the deal Sunday when they were able to untangle their stalemate over AI and writing room staffing levels.

From WGAContract: The WGA contract page has additional information on the settlement.

From WGAContract: A summary of the new agreement.

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From Deadline: The actors’ strike is now in its 63rd day. Now, SAG-AFTRA leaders are ramping up their rhetoric against the studio heads, accusing them in the latest issue of the "SAG-AFTRA Magazine" of “behaving like petty tyrants,” “would-be feudal lords” and “land barons in feudal times.”

From Deadline: Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra says that Hollywood unions need to embrace AI.

From Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav says the industry must focus and fight to resolve the writers and actors strikes.

From Deadline: Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes. Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From Deadline: If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.

From Variety: International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.

From Variety: Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."

From Deadline: Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.

From Variety: Halted film productions due to the writers and actors strikes are costing each Hollywood studio at least 600,000 dollars per week.

From Variety: Said at a strike meeting: “Without a transformative change in SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the AMPTP, the acting profession will no longer be an option for future generations of performers, and actors already working in the industry will need to pursue other careers in order to survive.”

From Deadline: If you are a "social media influencer" who is NOT a member of SAG-AFTRA, you can be barred from future membership for promoting a film or television series during the actors' strike.

From Variety: The SAG/AFTRA strike begins in New York and Los Angeles. Hollywood actors began striking today, Fri., July 14th.

From Deadline: The site has the video of the powerful strike speech given by SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, the actress best known for CBS' former sitcom, "The Nanny."

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline: The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

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Saturday, November 11, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 1st to 11th, 2023 - Updated #25

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

GRAMMYS - From Deadline: The nominations for the 2024 / 66th annual Grammy Awards have been announced. The "Barbie" soundtrack leads with 11 nominations, while SZA leads individual artists with nine nominations. The winners will be announced Feb. 4th, 2024.

ANIMATION - From THR: Just as it shelved the "Batgirl" movie last year, Warner Bros. is shelving its live-action/animation hybrid, "Coyote Vs. Ace," which finished principal photography in New Mexico last year. The films stars John Cena.

DISNEY/NETFLIX - From Deadline: Disney CEO Bob Iger says that he won't "chase bucks" by licensing its "core brands" (Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars) to its rival, Netflix. However, it is in talks with Netflix over other titles.

STRIKE - From Deadline: The actors' strike is over. SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, have agreed to a new three-year deal with the Hollywood studios. The strike will officially be over 12.01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT).

MOVIES - From Deadline: Sony is co-financing with Nintendo a live-action movie based on the video game franchise, "The Legend of Zelda." Wes Ball of "The Maze Runner" franchise is set to direct.

AMAZON - From Variety: Amazon Prime Video has dropped a new trailer for the second season of its popular "Reacher" series. Prime will drop three of the new season's episodes on Dec. 15th.

MOVIE - From Variety: What Ridley Scott had to say to a television historian about "historical inaccuracies in his new film, "Napoleon" (starring Joaquin Phoenix), and what he'll say to the Oscars if he ever wins.

CELEBRITY - From Variety: Jeremy Renner says that he has tried every type of therapy to heal from his near-fatal snow plow accident back in January (2023).

MOVIES - From Deadline: Paramount is remaking its 1974 Burt Reynolds prison football movie, "The Longest Yard," again. This time it will be written by Rodney Barnes, who executive produced and wrote HBO's "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty." Barnes is also the writer of the comic book, Killadelphia, with artist Jason Shawn Alexander. The film was remade in 2005 with Adam Sandler in the lead.

DISNEY - From THR: FX has renewed its drama, "The Bear," for a third season. The series air exclusively on Hulu.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 11/3 to 11/5/2023 weekend box office is Universal Pictures' "Five Nights at Freddy's" with an estimated take of 19.4 million dollars.

MARVEL - From Variety: What comes after the Marvel Cinematic Universe? What will dominate in its place? It's not likely to be high-falutin' says Variety's Owen Gleiberman.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline: "Friends" actor, Matthew Perry, was laid to rest Friday afternoon at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles near Warner Bros Studios. His "Friends" co-stars: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer attended the service. Perry died Oct. 28th at his home in Los Angeles.

MOVIES - From Deadline: DreamWorks Animation has changed the release date of its live-action version of its hit 2010 animated film, How to Train Your Dragon. The new release date is June 13, 2025, moved up from March 14, 2025.

ANIMATION - From IndieWire: GKIDS has released the official English-dub trailer for "The Boy and the Heron," the new film from the legendary Japanese director, Hayao Miyazaki.

EMMYS - From THR: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced on today (Thurs., Nov. 2nd) the nominees for the 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. Disney leads with 92 nominations. The date for the awards ceremony will be announced at a later date.

DISNEY - From Deadline: Disney is going to pay Comcast 8.61 billion dollars for its remaining 33 percent stake in the streaming service, Hulu.

MOVIES - From TheAtlantic: This link leads to an excerpt from David Grann's non-fiction work, "Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the F.B.I." The book is the source material for Martin Scorsese's new film, "Killers of the Flower Moon."

CULTURE - From NYT: Maine resident and legendary novelist, Stephen King, wrote a piece about the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine. He starts by writing "There is no solution to the gun problem..."

TELEVISION - From THR: Seasame Workshop has announced that "Sesame Street" is set to undergo some major renovations. The long-running PBS children’s series will be getting a creative overhaul for its 56th season, which will debut in 2025.

OBITS:

From Deadline: Television and film actor, Peter White, has died at the age of 86, Wednesday, November 1, 2023. White was best known roles on such daytime soap operas as "All My Children" and "Love is a Many Splendored Thing." White was one of the original cast members of the hit off-Broadway play, "The Boys in the Band" (1968), and he reprised his role in the play in the 1970 film adaptation directed by William Friedkin.

From THR: American television writer-producer, Peter S. Fischer, has died at the age of 88, Monday, October 30, 2023. He co-created the former CBS television mystery series, "Murder, She Wrote" (1984-96) with the late television producing partners, Richard Levinson and William Link. Fischer executive produced the series first seven seasons and wrote nearly three dozen of its episodes. Fischer also wrote multiple episodes of such series as "Marcus Welby," "Columbo," and "Ellery Queen," to name a few. He shared three "Outstanding Drama Series" Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his work on "Murder, She Wrote."

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ACTORS STRIKE:

From Deadline: The SAG-AFTRA national board unanimously approved the tentative agreement reached with the AMPTP to end the actors' strike. Now, the actors vote...