Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 18th to 24th, 2026 - UPDATE #7

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

NETFLIX/DISNEY - From THR:  Netflix, Disney+, and Tubi are offering lucrative deals to YouTube creators, but YouTube is playing hardball to keep them.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Paramount previously announced that James Wan ("The Conjuring") was set to direct a reimagining of South Korean action-crime film, "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil"(2019, directed by Lee Won-tae), for them.  The project continues to gain steam, and "Deadline" has confirmed that Keanu Reeves has entered talks to star in the film.

NETFLIX - From WorldofReel:  Netflix has fired Dan Lin as it "chief of films," a position he assumed from previous chairman of Netflix films, Scott Stuber, in 2024.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 10/16 to 10/18/2026 weekend box office is Paramount Pictures/Legendary Entertainment's "Street Fighter" with an estimated take of 31 million dollars.

MOVIES - From THR:  Sony Pictures and filmmaker Sam Mendes have been mulling some innovative ideas for the release of their four Beatles biopics — including lumping together the films’ box office returns via an April 2028 simultaneous release.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  The prolific American character actor of film and television, Richard Riehle, has died at the age of 78, Thursday, October 15, 2026.  Riehle appeared in over 400 films, TV shows, and other projects.  Among his most memorable work is the role of "Tom Smykowski" in Mike Judge's comedy film, "Office Space" (1999). Riehle played "Santa Claus" in five movies, two TV shows, and one TV movie.  He also appeared in episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Voyager," and "Star Trek: Enterprise."

From Deadline:  American film and television writer and producer, Ron Koslow, has died at the age of 81, Wednesday, October 7, 2026, according to multiple reports that cite his family.  Koslow is best known as the creator of the former CBS fantasy-drama, "Beauty and the Beast" (1987-90).  Koslow received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his work on the series.  Koslow was also an executive producer of the 2012-16 American-Canadian reboot of the series, entitled "Beauty & the Beast," for The CW.

From Deadline:  Canadian-born American television actor, producer, and screenwriter, Bernie Orenstein, has died at the age of 95, Monday, September, 14, 2026.  His family recently announced his passing.  He was an executive producer, producer, and/or writer on such TV series as "That Girl," "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," "What's Happening," and "Kate & Allie," to name a few.  He was a writer and producer on NBC's former sitcom, "Sanford and Son," and its spinoffs, "Grady" and "Sanford Arms."

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 11th to 17th, 2026 - UPDATE #11

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

SCANDAL - From Deadline: Almost a year ago, television director and Emmy-winning actor, Timothy Busfield, was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and child abuse.  The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two minor boys on the New Mexico set of the Fox/Warner Bros TV series, "The Cleaning Lady," for which Busfield directed six episodes.  Now, the case against him has dismissed by the presiding judge who ruled that "the prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner." The Bernalillo County District Attorney's office in New Mexico still has the option to “institute new criminal proceedings” against Busfield.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Universal's has officially titled "The Mummy 4" as "The Mummy: The Book of the Dead."  The film is due Oct. 15, 2027.  Oscar-winners, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, are reprising their roles as Rick and Evie O’Connell.  The cast also includes John Hannah, Michael Johnston, Numan Acar, Kevin J. O’Connor and Oded Fehr. 

DC STUDIOS - From Deadline:  Oscar-winning director, Steven Soderbergh, will step in to finish principal photography for the final weeks of filming of "The Batman II."  The film's director, Matt Reeves, has had to leave the production because of a family issue.

HULU - From TheGrio:  Ryan Coogler’s “The X-Files” reboot has received a series order from Hulu, bringing the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s reimagining of the iconic science-fiction franchise closer to the screen. The series will star Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel as two FBI agents assigned to a division investigating unexplained phenomena.  The duo will play original character, and they will NOT be playing new versions of Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny).

MOVIES - From THR:  Emmy-winning actress Zendaya is set to star in acclaimed director Alex Garland's next sci-fi film for studio, A24.  The film is untitled and is expected to begin shooting in 2027.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Netflix is laying off six percent of its workforce, which amounts to about 1000 employees. That is Netflix's largest layoff to date.

From Deadline:  Netflix has secured exclusive rights for all 104 FIFA World Cup 2030 matches in Spain and Andorra, a small nation bordered by Spain to the South and France to the North. Spain - the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions - is serving as one of the competition’s three host nations — alongside Morocco and Portugal.  As part of the deal, Netflix will make one match a day available for free in Spain. A package of matches, including every match in Spain, both semi-finals and the final, will be made available for broadcast on a national free-to-air broadcaster. Details are yet to be confirmed.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 10/9 to 10/11/2026 weekend box office is Universal Pictures' "Other Mommy" with an estimated take of 27.5 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Variety:  Eddie Murphy is set to star in the "Peacock" drama, "The Chairman," from Matthew Weiner, the creator of AMC's "Mad Men."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American actor and film producer, RJ Mitte, has died at the 34, Monday, October 12, 2026.  Mitte was best known for the role of "Walter White, Jr." on AMC's former crime drama, "Breaking Bad." Diagnosed with "cerebral palsy" at the age of three, Mitte advocated for cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

From Deadline:  American film and television actress, Eva Marie Saint, has died at the age of 102, Tuesday, October 6, 2026.  Saint was one of the last living actors of Hollywood's "Golden Age," with her career taking off during the middle of the 20th century.  Saint won the "Best Supporting Actress" Academy Award for her role in "On the Waterfront" (1954).  She received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Special" for the 1990 NBC TV movie, "People Like Us."  Saint is also known for Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 film classic, "North by Northwest."

From Deadline:  The retired American film studio executive, Frank G. Mancuso, Sr., has died at the age of 93, Wednesday, October1, 2026.  He was best known as the chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures from 1984 to 1991 and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1993 to 1999.  Under Mancuso, Paramount released such hit films as "Top Gun" (1986), "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986), and "Fatal Attraction" (1987), to name a few.  One of Mancuso's two children is film producer, Frank Mancuso, Jr., who is best known for producing and overseeing the sequels to "Friday the 13th" (1980).

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 13th to 19th, 2026 - UPDATE #8

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From THR:  John Leguizamo will play the main bad guy in "Miami Vice '85" next to stars Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Brad Pitt will return for a sequel to his 2013 smash hit film, "World War Z." Edward Berger ("Conclave") will direct.

NETFLIX - From WorldofReel:  "Empire Magazine" has a first look at director Greta Gerwig's "Narnia" movies, "Narnia: The Magician's Nephew."

MOVIES - From CincinnatiEnquirer:  Mark Wahlberg provides details concerning his biopic about Major League Baseball legend, the late Pete Rose (1941-2024).  According the Oscar-nominated actor and producer, the film will focus on the last part of Rose's career as a player and a manager, his pursuit of Ty Cobb's MLB hit record (4,189), and Rose's life after baseball. 

EMMYS - From Variety:  The winners at the 2026 / 78th Primetime Emmy Awards have been announced.  Apple TV+'s "Widow's Bay," won "Outstanding Comedy Series."  That was one of its 14 wins, the most for a comedy series in Emmy Awards history.  HBO Max's "The Pitt" won for "Outstanding Drama Series," one of its seven wins.  This is "The Pitt's" second win in this category.

From Deadline:  Night 1 of the 2026 / 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards have kicked off.  "Deadline" has a complete list of "Night 1" winners at what was formerly known as the "Creative Arts Emmys."

From Variety:  Night 2 of the 2026 / 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards are completed.  "Variety" has a complete list of "Night 2" winners at what was formerly known as the "Creative Arts Emmys."

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/11 to 9/13/2026 weekend box office is Warner Bros' "Practical Magic 2" with an estimated gross of 30 million dollars.

AWARDS - From Variety:  The winners at the 2026 / 83rd Venice Film Festival have been announced.  The "Golden Lion for Best Film" went to Danish director May El-Toukhy's "Woman Unknown."  John Malkovich won the "Volpi Cup for Best Actor" for his performance in director Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American fashion designer and costumier, Bob Mackie, has died at the age of 87, Monday, September 14, 2026.  Mackie is best known for his dressing of numerous entertainment personalities for television, movies, concerts, and live stage shows, including Elton John, Dolly Parton, Barbara Streisand, Tina Turner, and most notably Cher.  He was the costume designer for the former CBS variety show, "The Carol Burnett Show," during its 11-year run.  Mackie was nominated three times for the "Best Costume Designer" Oscar.  He was nominated 32 times at the Primetime Emmy Awards, winning nine times.  In 2019, he won a Tony Award for his work on "The Cher Show."

From Deadline:  The British film producer, Jeremy Thomas, has died at the age of 77, Friday, September 11, 2026.  Thomas won the "Best Picture" Oscar for producing director Bernardo Bertolucci's 1987 film, "The Last Emperor."  Thomas also produced Bertolucci's "The Sheltering Sky" (1990), ""Little Buddha" (1993), and "Stealing Beauty" (1995).  He also produced such acclaimed films as "Naked Lunch" (1991), "Crash" (1996), "Sexy Beast" (2001), and "Fast Food Nation" (2006), to name a few.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 5th, 2026 - UPDATE #7

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

HARRY POTTER - From Variety:  HBO Max has released the first trailer for its "Harry Potter" television series. The first episode is due December 26, 2026.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Angel (Angel Studios) has acquired the worldwide rights to director Michael Keaton's Western film, "Road to Ruin." Keaton also stars in the film with Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman.

From Deadline:  Michael Keaton is set to direct and to star in the Western film, "Road to Ruin."  Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman will star opposite Keaton.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Netflix's three-part docuseries about the late "Friends" star, Matthew Perry (1969-2023), entitled "The One About Matthew Perry," will debut Oct. 27th, 2026.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Acclaimed director Mike Leigh says that "Tender Loving Care" is "almost certainly" his final film because he is "somewhat handicapped" due to the muscle-wasting condition, "miyositis."

OBITS:

From NPR:  American author, activist, and journalist, Gloria Steinem, has died at the age of 92, Wednesday, September 2, 2026.  She is nationally recognized as the leader of "second-wave feminism." Starting in the 1960s, Steinem challenged gender stereotypes and championed feminist ideals like equality, sisterhood, and reproductive freedom.  At a time when women were largely limited to domestic roles, this made Steinem an inspiration to generations of women to do the same.  In 1971, Steinem was one of the founders of "Ms." magazine.  In 1971, Steinem also cofounded the National Women's Political Coalition," which provided training and support for women who sought elected and political office.  Among the honors Steinem received was the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" in 2013.  Steinem was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and one News & Documentary Emmy Award nomination for her work in television.

From Deadline:  American film and television writer and author, Victor Miller, has died at the age of 86, Monday, August 31, 2026.  Miller was best known for writing the screenplay for the 1980 slasher film, "Friday the 13th," creating the characters, "Pamela Voorhees" and her son, "Jason Voorhees."  Miller was also a longtime writer for daytime soap opera from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.  He worked on such soap operas as "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and "Another World," to name a few.  Miller was nominated at the Daytime Emmy Awards 11 times, and won three Emmys for his work on "All My Children." 

From Deadline:  American stand-up comic and television writer and producer, Marty Nadler, has died at the age of 80, Wednesday, August 26, 2026.  Nadler was best known for his four-decade with legendary TV writer and creator Garry Marshall.  For Marshall, Nadler worked on the former ABC sitcoms as "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley," among others.  As a producer, script consultant, and story consultant, Nadler contributed to such TV series as "Amen," "The Carol Burnett Show," "Chico and the Man," "That's My Mama," and "The Red Foxx Show," to name a few.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 1st to 8th, 2026 - UPDATE #9

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

NETFLIX - From WorldofReel:  Although he isn't getting the level of reshoots he wants, Netflix will allow director David Fincher some reshoots for "The Adventures of Cliff Booth," the sequel to director Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).  Brad Pitt, who won a "Best Supporting Actor" Oscar for playing Booth, is reprising the role for Fincher's film.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Joel Coen wrapped up production of his upcoming film, "Jack of Spades" in November 2025. The film, which is a "gothic mystery" is set in Scotland of the 1880s, has been moved to a 2027 release.

BOX OFFFICE - From THR:  "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has scored the biggest first week in domestic box office history with a total of crossing the 500-milllion dollar mark in seven days.  2019's Avengers: Endgame crossed that mark after eight days.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Numan Acar ("Young Sherlock) has signed to join on the next installment of Universal Pictures' "The Mummy" film franchise.  Franchise veterans, Kevin J. O'Connor and Oded Fehr, has also signed on for the next film.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Jaafar Jackson is hot off playing his late uncle, "King of Pop" Michael Jackson is the one billion dollar-plus hit, "Michael" (Lionsgate). Now, Jafar takes his next big step with Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb in Amazon MGM Studios' action-thriller, "Supermax."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/31 to 8/2/2026 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" with an estimated take of 355 million dollars.

From Variety:  "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey" power the weekend of 7/31 to 8/2/2026 into being the biggest weekend in domestic box office history.  Across all movies, the record setting gross is 430 million dollars.  This surpasses the 2019 weekend that the debut of "Avengers: Endgame" led. 

MOVIES - From GQ:  In an interview about writer-director Bassam Tariq's upcoming film, "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," the film's star, Mahershala Ali, talks about why he is no longer involved with Marvel Studios' "Blade" film.  Tariq was also once attached to the film.  Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is due Sept, 25, 2026.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film and television actor and U.S. Navy veteran, Vincent Pastore, has died at the age of 80, July 2026.  Pastore was often cast as Italian mobster characters.  He is best known for playing "Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero" on the former HBO mob drama, "The Sopranos" (1999-2007).  He made notable appearances in the TV film, "Gotti" (HBO), the romantic comedy film, "Mickey Blue Eyes" (1999), and DreamWorks Animation's "Shark Tale" (2004).

From Deadline:  American producer and studio executive, Richard L. O'Connor, has died at the age of 96, Wednesday, July 22, 2026.  O'Connor was an "executive in charge of production" for such films as "On Golden Pond" (1981), "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" (1981), and "The Muppet Movie" (1979); and on such television movies as "The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd" (1980) and "Friendly Fire" (1979).  He was a producer on a number of TV movies and series, including "Fatal Vision" (1984), "Amerika" (1987), and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," (1993).  O'Connor was a three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee, and winning in 1990 the Primetime Emmy for "Outstanding Children's Program" for "A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story" (1989).

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 21st to 30th, 2026 - UPDATE #9

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

STREAMING - From Deadline:  After several weeks of rumors, backstage drama, firings, etc., Tom Hardy is returning for Season 3 of the Paramount+ crime drama, "MobLand."

BUSINESS - From THR:  Comcast has announced plans to separate its tech business from NBCUniversal, including its European media business, "Sky."  The move, which will take place in 2027, will create two companies  Last year, Comcast did a spinoff of NBCUniversal's cable units, including CNBC and MSNBC, into a new company, Versant.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/26 to 6/28/2026 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 5" with an estimated take 70 million dollars.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Once at odds, "Stranger Things" star, Millie Bobbi Brown and David Harbour will reunite for a new Netflix series about father-daughter spies. The new series comes from Jack Thorne, the creator of Netflix hits, "Adolescence" and "Lord of the Flies."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Focus Features has dropped a first-look image of star Aaron Taylor-Johnson in director Robert Eggers' "Werwulf," which is due Dec. 25th, 2026.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Deadline's rumor column, "The Dish," says that the next round of auditions to choose an actor to play "James Bond" for Amazon MGM Studios and director Denis Villeneuve takes place in August 2026.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/19 to 6/21/2026 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 5" with an estimated take of 160 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to "Dungeon Crawler Carl," a live-action series adaptation of Matt Dinniman’s popular science fantasy "LitRPG" (role-playing game) books of the same title. The project comes from Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door and Universal Global Television. Dinniman, who serves as co-executive producer on the series, announced the pickup on social media.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American visual effects artist, Jeff Olson, has died at the age of 77, Sunday, June 21, 2026.  Olson is best known for his work with Industrial Light and Magic (ILM).  Olson started at ILM in 1985 and early on was a model maker on such films as "Howard the Duck" (1986), "Willow" (1988), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), and "Ghostbusters II" (1989), to name a few.  Olson received his first "visual effects producer" credit on "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), and received the credit on such films as "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999), "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" (2003), "Eragon" (2006), and "Star Trek" (2009), to name a few.  Olson left ILM in 2009.

From RollingStone:  American music and record executive and record producer, Clive Davis, has died at the age of 94, Monday, June 22, 2026.  Clive Davis founded Arista Records and J Records  He helped shape the careers of legendary recording artists such as Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin, Barry Manilow, and Alicia Keys, to name a few.  As a record producer, Davis won five Grammy Awards, including "Album of the Year" (1994) for Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album" (1992).  Davis was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 2000 as a non-performer.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 17th to 23rd, 2026 - UPDATE #8

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

CANNES - From Deadline:  Director Cristian Mingui's film, "Fjord," has won the Palme d'Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.  The film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve star as a mixed Romanian and Norwegian couple who move to the wife's hometown where they find complications.  The Romanian Mingui also won the Palme d'Or at the 60th Cannes Film Festival (2007) for his film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days."  He is now the tenth director to win the Cannes top prize, the "Palme d'Or," twice.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Mel Gibson has released the first image from his upcoming two-part Biblical epic, "The Resurrection of the Christ," which is a sequel to his 2004 box office smash, "The Passion of the Christ."  "Part One" is due May 6, 2027, and "Part Two" is due May 28, 2028.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal Pictures and director Michael Bay are teaming up to tell the true story behind the recent rescue mission to save two downed U.S. pilots behind enemy lines in Iran, during the so-called "Operation: Epic Fury."  The film will be based on the upcoming book by Mitchell Zuckoff, which HarperCollins will publish in 2027.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Director David Fincher's film, "Cliff Booth," a sequel to director Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," will hit theaters November 25, 2026 for a two-week run.  The film, which stars Brad Pitt, will debut on Netflix December 23, 2026.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Matt Damon is in talks to star in the secret film project from "the Daniels," the nickname of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the Oscar-winners behind "Everything Everywhere All at Once."  Ryan Gosling had been attached to the project, but had to drop out due to scheduling issues.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon has announced the cast for its new series, "Delphi," which is set in the universe of the film, "Creed" (2015).  The series, which is from Michael B. Jordan's "Outlier Society" production company, will feature a cast that includes (Oscar-nominee) Demien Bichir, Andre Holland, Andre Royo, and Benji Santiago, to name a few. 

DISNEY/TELEVISION - From Deadline:  ABC has ordered a spinoff of it long-running hit, "Grey's Anatomy."  The series will be co-created by "Grey's Anatomy" creator and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes.  The other co-creator is the new series' showrunner, Meg Marinis.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/15 to 5/17/2026 weekend box office is Lionsgate's "Michael" with an estimated take of 26.1 million dollars.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  "World of Reel" says a source at Warner Bros. indicated that the studio has no plans to release director Kevin Costner's "Horizon An American Saga: Chapter 2." "Horizon: Chapter 1" grossed $38 million dollars when released in 2024, the same year that Chapter 2 was supposed to be released.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 10th to 16th, 2026 - UPDATE #8

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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

NEWS:

MOVIES - From IndieWire:  It has been way more than a decade since the release of writer-director John Sayles "Go For Sisters" (2013).  His new film, "I Passed This Way," is set to star Oscar-winners, Amy Madigan and Chris Cooper, and is being shopped 2026 Cannes Film Market.

OSCARS - From Deadline:  Conan O'Brien will return as the host of the Oscars ceremony for a third year in a row.  The 99th Academy Awards will air on ABC and Hulu on March 14, 2027.

MOVIES - From THR:  Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o plays two roles in director Christopher Nolan's upcoming "The Odyssey." She is "Helen of Troy," the most beautiful woman in the world who is married to Menelaus (played by Jon Bernthal) and gets blamed for starting a war after she’s spirited away by a prince. Nyong'o also plays Helen’s sister, "Clytemnestra," who is married to Menelaus’ brother, Agamemnon (played by Benny Safdie).

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Emmy-winner, Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad"), will join the cast of "Fallout" Season 3.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/8 to 5/10/2026 weekend box office is 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" with an estimated take of 43 million dollars.

NETFLIX - From WorldofReel:  Shawn Levy will direct Netflix's "Somewhere Out There," which is based on a spec script by Max Taxe that Netflix won in a competitive bidding war.

OBITS:

From RollingStone:  American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and recording class, Clarence Carter, has died at the age of 90, Thursday, May 14, 2026. Born blind, Carter was known for his bawdy R&B and soul music recordings and was an influential figure in Southern soul music.  Carter's best known singles include "Tell Daddy" (1967), "Slip Away" (1968), "Back Door Santa" (1968), "Patches" (1970), and "Strokin'" (1986).  According to IMDb, Carter's songs appeared in at least 51 films and television episodes, including "Hawkeye" (2021, Marvel/Disney+), "Licorice Pizza" (2021), and "Almost Famous" (2000), to name a few.  Carter was a two-time Grammy Award nominee.

From THR:  American film and television actor, Donald Gibb, has died at the age of 71, Tuesday, May 12, 2026.  Gibb is best known as the dimwitted and aggressive fraternity brother, "Frederick 'Ogre' Palowaski" in the 1984 comedy film, "Revenge of the Nerds," and its sequels, "Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise" (1987) and the made-for-TV comedy, "Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love" (1994).  He is also known for roles in the films "Bloodsport" (1988) and "Bloodsport II: The Kumite (1996).  Gibb also appeared in all seven seasons of HBO's "1st & Ten" (1984-91) and in all seven episodes of the former ABC sitcom, "Stand by Your Man" (1992).  Gibb also had an extensive list of TV credits, appearing in such series as "The X-Files" (Fox), "Step by Step" (ABC), "Weird Science" (USA Network), and "The Young and the Restless" (CBS).

From ESPN:  Former American collegiate and professional basketball player, Jason Collins, has died at the age of 47, Tuesday, May 12, 2026.  After playing basketball for Stanford University, Collins was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He played for seven teams over 13 seasons.  After the 2012-13 season, Collins came out as gay, become the first openly gay NBA player.  In February 2014, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the four major North American professional sports league.

Review: "MADEA'S DESTINATION WEDDING" is the Best Netflix "Madea"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 7 of 2026 (No. 2055) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding (2025)

Running time:  102 minutes (1 hour, 42 minutes)

Rating: MPA – PG-13 for strong language, crude/sexual material, drug material, and some violence

WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Tyler Perry

PRODUCERS:  Tyler Perry, Angi Bones, and Yolanda T. Cochran

CINEMATOGRAPHERS:  Justyn Moro (D.o.P.) and Michael Wilson (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Larry Sexton

COMPOSER:  Jongnic Tontemps

COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, David Mann, Tamela J. Mann, Taja V. Simpson, Diamond White, Jermaine Harris, Xavier Smalls,Walnette Carrington, and Brandon Sutton

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SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

Madea's Destination Wedding is a true return to form for the “Madea” film series. Everything that Madea films do well, this film does exceptionally well

The film's beautiful locations make this movie the best-looking “Madea” movie to date. Between the comedy and pretty locations, I felt like I wanted to be there

Madea's Destination Wedding is a long-deserved gift to Madea fans, but it can also work as a good introduction to this series for newcomers

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Madea's Destination Wedding is a 2025 American comedy-drama film from writer-director Tyler Perry.  It is the 14th film in the “Madea” film series.  The film is also a Netflix original and began streaming on service July 11, 2025.  In Madea's Destination Wedding, Madea travels to the Bahamas for her granddaughter's wedding, but tensions, strangeness, and suspicions abound.

Madea's Destination Wedding finds U.S. Attorney Brian Simmons (Tyler Perry) having dinner with his daughter, Tiffany (Diamond White); son, “BJ” (Jermaine Harris); and their mother, Brian's ex-wife, Debrah (Taja V. Simpson).  Tiffany and Debrah surprise Brian with the introduction of Tiffany's boyfriend, Zavier (Xavier Smalls)... and with the news that Tiffany and Zavier are getting married.  The surprises don't stop; the nuptials will happen as a “destination wedding” in the Bahamas.

Now, Brian is forced to lead a caravan of relatives to the Bahamas.  That includes his aunt, Mabel “Madea” Simmons (Tyler Perry); his father and Madea's older brother, Uncle Joe Simmons (Tyler Perry); Madea's daughter, Cora Simmons (Tamela J. Mann); Cora's supposed father, Mr. Brown (David Mann); Madea's cousin, Aunt Bam (Tamela J. Mann), and BJ.  They arrive to find that the Bahamas are beautiful and the hotel is luxurious and opulent.

However, there is more to Tiffany and Zavier's wedding than what appears on the surface, and the results may lead to disaster, heartache, and a canceled wedding.  Meanwhile, Madea and company are enjoying the idea of “put it on the room” too much.

Madea's Destination Wedding is the best Madea movie since 2019's A Madea Family Funeral (which was originally supposed to be the final film in the series).  It is certainly much better than 2022's Netflix original Madea film, A Madea Homecoming.  Madea's Destination Wedding picks up story elements from Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016) and Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (2017), which largely dealt with the melodrama surrounding Brian Simmons' daughter, Tiffany, who is engaged to be married in this new film.

I thoroughly enjoyed Madea's Destination Wedding.  I felt so good after watching it that I didn't want it to end.  It reminds me of the run of Madea films beginning in the 20-10s with Madeas Big Happy Family (2011), which all offered a delightful mix of Christian moralism, family reconciliation and forgiveness, redemption, and lots of yucks from Madea and company.  If Tyler Perry can't make future Madea movies like Madea's Destination Wedding, then, he should retire the series.

I had forgotten to watch Madea's Destination Wedding when it first arrived last year, but I recently watched it in preparation for the new “Uncle Joe” film, Joe's College Road Trip (2026).  I am happy that I got around to watching this.  Madea's Destination Wedding is true to the spirit of the best Madea films, with smatterings of Christian spirituality, faith, forgiveness, redemption, and a great deal of broad comedy and slapstick.  And Madea's Destination Wedding does it well enough to make me feel good about watching it.

7 of 10

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: Netflix's "WAR MACHINE" is an Action Movie Thrill Machine

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 of 2026 (No. 2054) by Leroy Douresseaux

War Machine (2026)

Running time:  106 minutes (1 hour, 56 minutes)

Rating:  MPAA – R for strong violence, grisly images, and language

DIRECTOR:  Patrick Hughes

WRITERS:  Patrick Hughes and James Beaufort; from a story by Patrick Hughes

PRODUCERS: Patrick Hughes, Rich Cook, Todd Lieberman, Greg McLean, and Alexander Young

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Aaron Morton (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Andy Canny

COMPOSER:  Dmitri Golovko

SCI-FI/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring:  Alan Ritchson, Stephan James, Blake Richardson, Jai Courtney, Alex King, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jack Patten, James Beaufort, Joshua Diaz, Esai Morales, and Dennis Quaid

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

War Machine is a pulp sci-fi all gussied up as an intense military thriller slash melodrama, and it works quite well

War Machine is an awesome action movie spectacle and virtually every minute of it is entertaining in some way

Alan Ritchson makes the most of this film, which is really an Alan Ritchson vehicle, and Ritchson gives it his all, meaning he would be lucky to have other vehicles as absolutely entertaining as War Machine is

War Machine is a 2026 science fiction film and action thriller from director Patrick Hughes.  A co-production of the United States and Australia, the film was released in Australia before it began streaming on Netflix on March 6, 2026.  War Machine follows an unnamed Army staff sergeant who becomes an Army Rangers recruit just in time to battle a mysterious and deadly machine.

War Machine opens in Kandahar, Afghanistan sometime during the prolonged conflict known as the “War in Afghanistan” (2001-21).  An unnamed Staff Sergeant (Alan Ritchson) has just arrived t help his brother's broken down convoy.  Then, tragedy strikes, leaving the unnamed Staff Sergeant wounded and broken.  He is awarded the Silver Star for his actions, but leaves Afghanistan broken and feeling that he failed.

Two years later, the Sergeant attends the "Ranger Assessment and Selection Program" (RASP) in the hopes of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment.  He is given the candidate number “81,” but refuses the request of two officers, Sergeant Major Sheridan (Dennis Quaid) and First Sergeant Torres (Esai Morales), that he take on the role of team leader with the new recruits.  Eventually, the final RASP exercise requires 81 and the remaining recruits to enter a nearby forest for a simulated mission.

During the mission, 81 and his team find a mysterious object that they mistake for their target.  After they try to destroy the object, it transforms into a giant walking machine, and the killing and destruction begin.  Now, 81 will have to be what he no longer wants to be, and that is both a leader and a savior of his his servicemen and servicewomen.

War Machine is one of those pure, old-fashioned science fiction film that is not afraid to be a rollicking, good-time alien-invasion movie.  War Machine give me (and also you, dear readers) what I want; it pits a brave human hero battling his inner demons while simultaneously battling an alien baddie for his life.  War Machine is Predator (1987) meets Transformers (2007), except that the Transformers here are homicidal, relentless killing machines.  The result is a movie that is an absolutely thrilling and entertaining film, which I enjoyed from start to finish.

War Machine's director, Patrick Hughes, has experience delivering muscular action movies, as seen in his work directing The Expendables 3 (2014).  Hughes shines up this pulpy sci-fi scenario and delivers an action film that seems as if it could have a timeless appeal (which I can also say about the preposterous Adam Driver sci-fi monster movie, 2023's 65).

I heartily recommend War Machine because I really enjoyed it.  Alan Ritchson shows that he certainly has the acting chops to carry a movie as the lead.  Ritchson just does his thang because he is both an actor and an entertainer.  He shows that in War Machine.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Sunday, March 22, 2026

The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "NEMESIS FOREVER #5" Gives the Devil His Due

NEMESIS FOREVER #5 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Mateo Scalera

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Scalera with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Scalera

36pp, Color, $6.99 U.S. (January 2026) on-sale: Wednesday, January 7, 2025

Age range: 18+

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis Forever is a five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Mark Millar and publisher Dark Horse Comics.  It is a sequel to the miniseries, Nemesis Reloaded (2023) and Nemesis Rogues' Gallery (2024).  Besides Millar, the rest of the creative team is comprised of Matteo Scalera (artist); Giovanna Niro (colors); and Clem Robins (letters).

Nemesis Forever finds that Nemesis, the world’s most dangerous man, has now made himself into one of the richest.  No longer content just to terrorize the forces of law and order, Nemesis has a new plan:  seize control of the world itself and enslave humanity with super-technology.  For now, Kitty Tepper a.k.a. Sofie Stein, a CIA deep undercover agent, may be the only person who can impede Nemesis... at least a little.

Nemesis Forever #5 opens in San Francisco as Nemesis – in his “Hans Berg” tech billionaire identity – makes a move to take out a tech rival.  However, it all comes to a screeching halt when Nemesis discovers the truth about Sofie Stein.  Now, Nemesis may be faced with making his final stand.

However, Sofie Stein, who is really CIA agent Kitty Tepper, is finding her time undercover with Nemesis terrorist cell, “Nemesis HQ Number 5,” starting to run down.  Now, Kitty has to make he final stand.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  Nemesis Forever #5 is the latest PDF that I have received.

The “Nemesis trilogy”:  Nemesis: Reloaded, Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery, and Nemesis Forever, comes to an end and reveals the fate of the world, which Nemesis had planned on ruining and then ruling.  The ending is classic Mark Millar as the ending plants interesting seeds.  More than that, Millar resolves this story in a most shocking manner, contriving a way of overwhelming a super-powered being that has previously seemed incapable of ever being overwhelmed – at least the way other stories presented him.

In Nemesis Forever, artist Matteo Scalera and colorist Giovanna Niro produced some of the prettiest art to appear in a superhero (kind of) comic books over the last decade.  Scalera and Niro's storytelling here is a bombshell of beauty and brutality, and the result is a visually and graphically gripping narrative.  I must also shout out letterer Clem Robins.  He does not let himself get left behind because his lettering is as tight as ever.

Dear readers, I said that we should expect a crazy ending.  We got the crazy and the unexpected.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar's comic books of his Nemesis series will desire Nemesis Forever.

A+

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

The trade paperback collection of "NEMESIS FOREVER" is due May 2026 and can preordered at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://x.com/mrmarkmillar

https://x.com/netflix

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

https://x.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.instagram.com/DarkHorseComics/

The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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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).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 11th to 17th, 2026 - UPDATE #12

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

TIMOTHY BUSFIELD:

From CBS:  Director and Emmy-winning actor, Timothy Busfield (Thirtysomething), surrendered to New Mexico authorities in answer to an arrest warrant for child sex abuse charges.  The complaint involves twin brothers who claim that Busfield molested them on the set on the former Fox suspense drama, "The Cleaning Lady," for which Busfield was a series director.

From NBCNews:  Already facing charges related to claims that he molested twin brothers on the set of a TV series where he was a director, Emmy-winner Timothy Busfield is also facing accusations that he kissed and inappropriately touch a 16-year-old girl years ago.

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NETFLIX - From Reuters:  Sony Pictures and Netflix have extended their deal which sends Sony's films to stream on Netfllix after their theatrical release.

SCANDAL - From FoxNews:  Actor Daniel Stern, best known for his roe in the "Home Alone" films, has been arrested for soliciting prostitution on Dec 12th at a motel in Camarillo, CA.

From FoxNews:  Emmy-winning actor Keifer Sutherland ("24") has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a rideshare driver in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 12th.  Sutherland was released on a $50 thousand bond.

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:  NBC has ordered a pilot for its reboot of its former detective drama, "The Rockford Files" (1974-80).  In 1978, the series won the Primetime Emmy for "Outstand Drama Series."  In 1977, the series star, the late James Garner (1928-2014), won the Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama."

BUSINESS - From THR:  Entertainer and businessman, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, has finalized a deal with Louisiana to invest 124 million dollars in a complex that includes three entertainment venues.

AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2026 / 83rd Golden Globes have been announced.  In the feature film category, "Hamnet" won two awards, including "Best Picture, Drama." "One Battle After Another" won three awards, including "Best Picture, Musical or Comedy."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 1/9 to 1/11/2026 weekend box office is 20th Century Studios' "Avatar: Fire and Ash" with an estimated take of 21.3 million dollars.

SCANDAL - From APNews:  Authorities in New Mexico have issued an arrest warrant for film and television actor and TV director, Timothy Busfield, who is facing a child sex abuse charge.  The alleged abusive acts occurred on the set of of the Fox broadcast former crime drama, "The Cleaning Lady" (2022-25).  Busfield won a Primetime Emmy Award for his acting on the former ABC drama, "Thirtysomthing." 

OBIT:

From RollingStone:  American musician, songwriter, and recording artist, Bob Weir, has died at the age of 78, Saturday, January 10, 2026.  In 1965, Weir was one of the five founding members of "the Warlocks," a "jug band" that would soon change its name to the "Grateful Dead."  The Dead would become known for its improvisational live performances and for its devoted fans, called "Deadheads."  In 1994, Weir was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead.

  

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 1st to 10th, 2026 - UPDATE #9

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

AWARDS - From Deadline:  The Producers Guild of America revealed its nominations for the 2026 / 37th PGA Awards.  The winners in six categories will be announced February 28, 2026  In the primary category of the "Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures," the nominees are as follows:

"Bugonia" – Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone and Lars Knudsen

"F1" – nominees to be determined (TBA)

"Frankenstein" – Guillermo Del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber

"Hamnet" – Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg and Nicolas Gonda

"Marty Supreme" – nominees to be determined (TBA)

"One Battle After Another" – Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson

"Sentimental Value" – Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar

"Sinners" – Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian

"Train Dreams" – Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, William Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer and Michael Heimler

"Weapons" – Zach Cregger and Miri Yoon

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From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America revealed its nominations for the 2026 / 78th DGA Awards.  The winners in 12 categories will be announced February 7, 2026  In the primary category of "Theatrical Feature Film," the nominees are as follows:

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON

One Battle After Another

Warner Bros

Directorial Team:

Unit Production Manager: Will Weiske

First Assistant Director: Adam Somner

Second Assistant Director: Trevor Tavares, Ian Stone

Second Second Assistant Director: Dominic Pacitti, Rafael Sanz-Jimenez

Additional Second Assistant Director: Nuekellar Hardy, Chunning Chang, Kit Conners, Kasia Trojak, Tyler Young

RYAN COOGLER

Sinners

Warner Bros

Directorial Team:

Unit Production Manager: Will Greenfield, Kenneth Yu

First Assistant Director: Marvin Williams

Second Assistant Director: Amir R. Khan

Additional Second Assistant Director: Gregg Carr, Desiree Stevenson

GUILLERMO DEL TORO

Frankenstein

Netflix

Directorial Team:

Unit Production Manager: J. Miles Dale

First Assistant Director: Walter Gasparovic

Second Assistant Director: Chad Belair

JOSH SAFDIE

Marty Supreme

A24

Directorial Team:

Unit Production Manager: Anthony Katagas, Joe Guest

First Assistant Director: Jeremy Marks

Second Assistant Director: Zach Citarella

Second Second Assistant Director: Kailyn Dabkowski

Assistant Unit Production Manager: Max Samu, Suk Yi Mar, Samson Jacobson

Location Manager: Matthew Kania, Ross Brodar

CHLOÉ ZHAO

Hamnet

Focus Features

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DISNEY - From EW:  Teagan Croft will play "Rapunzel" and Milo Manheim will play "Flynn Rider" in Disney's live-action version of its 2010 animated hit, "Tangled."

MOVIES - From Variety:  In one of those filmmaker to filmmaker interviews that "Variety" does, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro tells Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper that he has written 42 screenplays and 13 of them have been produced.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 1/2 to 1/4/2026 weekend box office is 20th Century Studio's "Avatar: Fire and Ash" with a estimated total of 40 million dollars.

NETFLIX - From IGN:  Sources say that Netflix will allow a 17-day window for Warner Bros. theatrical releases after it obtains the studio.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  After toppling its leader, Nicolas Maduro, President Trump says that the U.S. (meaning himself) will run Venezuela until...

MUSIC - From Forbes:  Beyonce is now a billionaire, the fifth musician to reach that financial milestone.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American Actor, T.K. Carter, has died at the age of 69, Friday, January 9, 2026.  Carter was best known for his role in John Carpenter's "The Thing" (1982) as "Nauls" (the cook).  Carter also made his mark in roles on such television series, "Punky Brewster," "The Sinbad Show," "Good Morning, Miss Bliss," and in the HBO miniseries, "The Corner."

From Deadline:  American television director and producer, Tom Cherones, has died the age of 86, Monday, January 5, 2026 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.  He is best known for his work on the former NBC sitcom, "Seinfeld," for which he directed 81 of the first 86 episodes of Seasons 1 to 5.  He won a "Outstand Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series" Primetime Emmy Award for directing the infamous "Seinfeld" 1992 episode, "The Contest."  He also shared another Primetime Emmy win, this time the category of "Outstanding Comedy Series" for "Seinfeld" in 1993.  Cherones received seven other nominations for his work on "Seinfeld."

Review: He Probably Thinks "GLASS ONION" is About Him

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 42 of 2025 (No. 2048) by Leroy Douresseaux

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Running time:  139 minutes (2 hours, 19 minutes)

Rating:  MPA – PG-13 for strong language, some violence, sexual material, and drug content

WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Rian Johnson

PRODUCERS:  Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Steve Yedlin (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Bob Ducsay

COMPOSER:  Nathan Johnson

Academy Award nominee

MYSTERY/COMEDY

Starring:  Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom, Jr., Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Noah Segan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ethan Hawke, Hugh Grant, and Serena Williams

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a 2022 mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson.  It is the sequel to the 2019 film, Knives Out.  The film is a “Netflix Original,” which began streaming on the service December 23, 2022, after a brief and limited theatrical release in November 2022.  Glass Onion finds Detective Benoit Blanc on the case of a tech billionaire who invites his cronies to his private Greek island to play a murder mystery game that results in an actual murder.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery takes place in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Miles Bron (Edward Norton), the co-founder of the technology company, “Alpha,” is hosting a murder mystery game at “the Glass Onion,” his mansion on a private island in Greece.  He sends invitations via intricate puzzle boxes to his friends, a group he called “the Disruptors.”  They are a diverse group:  Alpha head scientist, Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom, Jr.), Connecticut governor, Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn); controversial model-turned-fashion designer, Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson); and men's rights streamer and podcaster, Duke Cody (Dave Bautista).

There are two surprise guests to the island.  The first is ousted Alpha co-founder, Cassandra “Andi” Brand (Janelle Monae), who is estranged from Miles and the other Disruptors.  The second is world-famous private detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).  In Miles murder mystery, he is the victim, and his guests have two days to solve his murder, but the arrival of Andi and Benoit are unexpected complications.  Things really get crazy when someone really ends up dead.  Can Benoit Blanc solve a murder when not everyone is who he or she is supposed to be?

Rian Johnson's 2019 whodunit, Knives Out, starts out with an excellent screenplay.  It offers an exercise in private eye genre elements and mystery fiction trappings played out with wild twists and turns and with a cast of lovably eccentric characters.  Knives Out is similar to and inspired by the works of the grand dame of mystery fiction, the late Agatha Christie (1890-1976), who also offered assemblages of intriguing outlandish and unconventional characters.  Knives Out's gold is in the characters, the type that character actors can use to chew up movie scenery.

Glass Onion does the same, but not to the extent of its predecessor.  Glass Onion offers unconventional characters, but Glass Onion's treasure is in Daniel Craig's Mr. Blanc and Janelle Monae's Ms. Bland.  Glass Onion is a process of the team of Blanc and Bland sneaking and snooping around Miles Bron's paradise lost island.  Blanc's supernatural attentiveness and Bland's unforgiving relentlessness are the spine of Glass Onion.  They pick apart the secrets and lies of the other characters until the liars are exposed and shamed and their guilt laid bare.

Both Craig and Monae should have received more award nominations than they did during the 2022-23 movie award season.  Still, this movie is a testament to their talents at creating endearing characters.  Kate Hudson also chews up quite a bit of scenery as the firecracker Birdie Jay, a character who deserves another spin at the cinematic wheel.  As Miles Bron, Edward Norton does the best allegorical skewering of Elon Musk outside of comedian Alex Biron.

I really enjoyed Glass Onion, although it is probably at least 10 minutes too long.  I laughed a lot, and the cathartic ending was a sweet sensation.  I watched Glass Onion in anticipation of the December 12, 2025 Netflix debut of the third Benoit Blanc film, Wake Up Dead Man.  However, I got more than I expected from this film because overall Rian Johnson created a superb mystery film series that is its own thing in spite of what inspired it.  Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is like fine crystal.  As a whodunit, it sparkles brilliantly.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Saturday, December 6, 2025

NOTES:

2023 Academy Awards, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Adapted Screenplay” (Rian Johnson)

2023 Golden Globes, USA:  2 nominations:  “Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” and “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Daniel Craig)

The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "NEMESIS FOREVER #4" - The Devil You Say

NEMESIS FOREVER #4 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Mateo Scalera

COLORS: Giovanna Niro with Sabrina del Grosso

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Scalera with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Scalera

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2025) on-sale: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Age range: 18+

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis Forever is a five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Mark Millar and publisher Dark Horse Comics.  It is a sequel to the miniseries, Nemesis Reloaded (2023) and Nemesis Rogues' Gallery (2024).  Besides Millar, the rest of the creative team is comprised of Matteo Scalera (artist); Giovanna Niro (colors); and Clem Robins (letters).

Nemesis Forever finds that Nemesis, the world’s most dangerous man, has now made himself into one of the richest.  No longer content just to terrorize the forces of law and order, Nemesis has a new plan:  seize control of the world itself and enslave humanity with super-technology.  For now, Kitty Tepper a.k.a. Sofie Stein, a CIA deep undercover agent, may be the only person who can impede Nemesis... at least a little.

Nemesis Forever #4 opens in Hamburg, Germany.  There, “the Bundespolizei” (Germany's Federal Police Force) has captured Nemesis and has him in custody.  Of course, having Nemesis in custody and keeping him in custody are two wildly different things.  And holding onto the world's most dangerous man is made even more difficult because he has released a highly-lethal poison gas into the surrounding area.

Still, if Nemesis is going to bring humanity to its knees, he will need the help of his Satanic sect, the Temple of Hanpa, even more.  But what will it cost him?

Meanwhile, ensconced with her fellow members of the Nemesis terrorist cell, “Nemesis HQ Number 5,” Kitty is making some shocking discoveries about who Nemesis is and what he is doing.  At the same time, she wonders if her cover has been blown.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  Nemesis Forever #4 is the latest PDF that I have received.

Nemesis Forever #4 is a killer penultimate issue, and writer Mark Millar fills this issue with explosive scenes that are obviously meant to set up a final issue that may be apocalyptic.  In addition, Millar sets aside some pages in this issue to take us into the darkest corners of Nemesis' faith … if I can call that a faith.

Illustrator Matteo Scalera and colorist Giovanna Niro continue to produce some of the prettiest art to appear in a superhero (kind of) comic book in several years.  Scalera and Niro's Nemesis is a bombshell of beauty and brutality, and the resulting storytelling is visually and graphically gripping.  I must also shout out letterer Clem Robins.  He does not let himself get left behind because his lettering is as tight as ever.

Dear readers, let us prepare for a truly crazy ending.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar's comic books of his Nemesis series will desire Nemesis Forever.

A+

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

There is a Kindle edition of "NEMESIS FOREVER #4" available at Amazon. The trade collection paperback collection of the series is due in May 2026 and can currently be preordered at Amazon.

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The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 1st to 6th, 2025 - UPDATE #11

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

NETFLIX:

From Deadline:  Netflix is officially buying Warner Bros. Discovery for a total enterprise value of $82.7 billion.  Netflix is paying $27.75 a share for the venerable Hollywood studio, with a total equity value of $72 billion dollars. Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO, subject to regulatory conditions – of which there will be several.  The deal will follow after WBD’s global networks division, Discovery Global, spins out into a new publicly-traded company, a move that is now expected to happen in the third quarter of 2026. 

From AP:  Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press discusses "What Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. means for the movies."

MOVIES - From THR:  Sony Pictures is developing a new film in its "Men in Black" franchise.  Chris Bremner is working on a script, but there is so far no director or cast members named.

TELEVISION - From THR:  Sky 1 and Das Erste's ground period drama, "Babylon Berlin." has wrapped up production on its fifth and final season.  The neo-noir series will close with a final 8-episode arc leading up to the Nazis seizing power in Germany in 1933.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Universal Pictures has acquired "Portrait of God," a spec script from emerging filmmaker Dylan Clark.  The script, which is written by Clark and Joe Russo, expands on the world of Clark's viral horror short of the same name.  The film is will mark the first collaboration of producers Sam Raimi and Jordan Peele, two of the biggest names in horror, who have never before worked together.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  The Japanese-born American film and television actor and producer, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, has died at the age of 75, Thursday, December 4, 2025.  He is best known for the role of "Shang Tsung" in "Mortal Kombat" (1995).  Tagawa also appeared in such films as "The Last Emperor" (1987), "Rising Sun" (1993), "The Phantom" (1996), "Pearl Harbor" (2001), and "Memoirs of the Geisha" (2005), and "47 Ronin" (2013), to name a few.  He appeared in such TV series as "Nash Bridges" (1996-97), "The Man in the High Castle" (2015-18), and Netflix's "Lost in Space" (2018-21), to name a few.

From ESPN:  Former professional basketball player, Elden Campbell, has died at the age of 57, Tuesday, December 2, 2025.  Campbell left Clemson University as an all-time school great.  His all-time 1880 career points is still the school record.  Campbell was drafted as the 27th pick of the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the first nine years of his career.  Campbell won an NBA Championship as a member of the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons.

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MOVIE AWARDS 2025-26:

From AwardsWatch:  The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) has announced the nominations for the 2025 SFCS Awards.  Director Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" leads with a record-tying 14 nominations.  Eventual "Best Picture" Oscar winner, "Everything Everywhere All At Once," received 14 nominations in 2022.  The winners will be announced Monday, December 15, 2025.

From AwardsWatch:  The 2025 / 9th Atlanta Film Critics Circle has announced its winners.  "One Battle After Another" picks up seven wins, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Paul Thomas Anderson), and "Best Actor" (Leonardo DiCaprio).

From Variety:  The winners of the 2025 / 91st New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  Director Paul Thomas Anderson's film, "One Battle After Another" wins "Best Film."  The awards will be handed out at a gala ceremony on January 6, 2026 at "Tao Downtown" in New York City.

From Deadline:   The winners at the 2025 / 35th Annual Gotham Awards have been announced.  Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s "One Battle After Another" won "Best Feature." Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi and his Palme d’Or winner, "It Was Just An Accident" were the big winners, picking up "Best International Feature," "Best Director," and  "Original Screenplay."

From AwardsWatch:  Twenty films have made crossed the first hurdle in the race for the "Best Visual Effects" Oscar.  Those films include "Avatar: Fire and Ash," "Captain America: Brave New World," "Frankenstein," and "Sinners."  In a little under two weeks, those 20 will be cut down to 10.

From AwardsWatch:  The site has a list of all 322 films eligible for Oscar consideration in the animated, documentary, and international film categories.

From THR:  The nominations for the 2026 / 38th European Film Awards have been announced.  the winners will be announced at the 38th European Film Awards ceremony, which takes place January 17, 2026.

From Deadline:  Last week (Oct. 14th), the European Film Academy shortlisted the 67 films were available to receive nominations for the 38th European Film Awards, taking place on January 17, 2026.  The shortlist included 44 feature films, 15 documentary films, and eight animated feature films.  Among the list of feature films were "Bugonia" and "Sound of Falling."  The nominations are scheduled to be announced today (Oct. 18th).

From THR:  The nominations for the 2025 / 35th Annual Gotham Films Awards have been announced.  Director Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" tops the list of nominees with a record six nominations, including "Best Feature" and "Best Director" for Anderson.  The winners will be announced December 1, 2025.

BEST PICTURE TRACKER:

"One Battle After Another" (3):  Atlanta Film Critics Circle; Gotham Awards; New York Film Critics Circle