Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 7th to 13th, 2022 - Update #15

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BREAKING NEWS - From Deadline:  Emmy-winning actress Anne Heche has been taken off life support.  She suffered grave injuries in a fiery car crash last Friday, August 5th.

From Variety:  Anne Heche has reportedly been declared "legally dead" in the state of California.  Her heart remains beating and she may not have been taken off life support.  Heche was an organ donor, and the waiting may be the result of determining the viability of her organs for donation.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington are the leads in "Horizon," the passion project that Kevin Costner will direct, produce, and finance.

DOCUMENTARIES - From Deadline:  Production is underway on a feature documentary inspired by "New York Times" columnist Charles Blow’s book "The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto." The book suggests a "reverse great migration," in which Black people would migrate from the north back to the south.

From Deadline:  Director Sam Pollard is working on a documentary about recently deceased pro basketball and NBA legend, Bill Russell, for Netflix.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  France’s Why Not Productions has unveiled a playful first teaser image of Johnny Depp in the role of King Louis XV in French director Maïwenn’s historical love story "Jeanne du Barry."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The superstar team of actor-producer Tom Cruise and writer-director-producer Christopher McQuarrie are working on "Mission: Impossible 8" and art planning three new projects.  One of them is a song-and-dance-like musical in which Cruise would star.

BREAKING - From Deadline:  Emmy-winning actress Anne Heche is far worse off than initially reported in the wake of her fiery car crash on Friday, Aug. 5th.  She is in a coma and has not regained consciousness, according a statement from her representative.

MOVIES - From BloodyDisgusting:  Horror film producer Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment says that there will be some big news near the end of the year about a return of the "Friday the 13th" film franchise.  The last film was released in 2009, and there is currently a disagreement over rights issues between the series first screenwriter, Victor Miller, and director Sean Cunningham.

BOX OFICE - From BoxOfficePro:   The winner of the 8/5 to 8/7/2022 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Bullet Train" (starring Brad Pitt) with an estimated take of 30.1 million dollars.

From BoxOfficePro:  The site has an interview with "Bullet Train" director, David Leitch."

CELEBRITY - From TMZ:  Actress Anne Heche was involved in a car crash in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles in which she crashed her vehicle into a house and caused a blaze on Fri., Aug. 5th. Just moments earlier, Heche reportedly crashed into the garage of an apartment complex before driving away and crashing into the house.

AMAZON - From THR:  Peter Jackson, the Oscar-winning director of "The Lord of the Rings" film series says that Amazon asked him to be involved with its megabudget "Lord of the Rings" streaming TV series and then cut off contact with him.  Amazon suggests the story isn't quite so simple.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Actor, stuntman, martial artist, and professional wrestler, Gene LeBell, has died at the age of 89, Tuesday, August 9, 2022.  He worked on over 1000 films and television shows.  LeBell fought Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Steven Seagal, to name a few, and his fight with Seagal had a notorious conclusion not in Seagal's favor.  LeBell was one of the inspirations for Brad Pitt's character, "Cliff Booth," in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

From Variety:  Australian singer-songwriter and actress, Olivia Newton-John, has died at the age of 73, August 8, 2022.  She famously starred in the 1978 musical film, "Grease," and the film's soundtrack, which is still one of the best-selling musical albums of all time, included two hits songs featuring Newton-John and her Grease co-star, John Travolta.  She was the top female pop vocalist of the 1970s and continued to have "Billboard Top 10" hits into 1983.  She also starred in the 1980 film, "Xanadu," which yielded three more hits singles for her, and the 1983 film, "Two of a Kind," which yielded another hit single for her. Newton-John won four Grammy Awards and received eight other nominations.

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BRITTNEY GRINER:

From Vox:  Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.

From ESPN:   A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th.  Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.

From ESPN:  The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

From RSN:  "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack

From ESPN:  Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.

From CBSSports:  The Brittney Griner situation explained.

From RSN:  According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 21st to 30th, 2021 #15

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Star Channing Tatum and director Steven Soderbergh are returning for "Magic Mike's Last Dance," the third film in their "Magic Mike" series.  When the film is ready, it will stream exclusively on HBO Max.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/26 to 11/28/2021 weekend box office is Disney's "Encanto" with an estimated take of 27 million dollars.

From Variety:  The Thanksgiving holiday weekend (11/24 to 11/28/2020=1) box office begins with a Disney's "Encanto" victory as the animated film grossed 7.5 million dollars Wed., Nov. 24th.

From Deadline:  Director Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part One" finally crosses the 100 million dollar mark at the domestic box office.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Hayao Miyzazki, the legendary Japanese director of animated films, is coming out of retirement again to direct an animated feature film adaptation of the "How Do You Live," a 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Peter Jackson talks about his four-year obsession that resulted on his "Beatles" documentary, "The Beatles: Get Back," which airs on Disney+ from Nov. 25th to Nov. 27th.

COVID-19 - From Deadline:  A new COVID-19 variant, "B.1.1.529," has been found in Africa.  Potentially more transmissible, it has been called "a big jump in evolution."

SCANDAL - From Variety:   An arbitrator has ordered Kevin Spacey and his companies to pay nearly $31 million to MRC, the production company behind Netflix's “House of Cards,” after finding that Spacey breached his contract by violating the company’s sexual harassment policy.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   One of the producers behind the movie Western, "Rust," is co-financing "Sam & Kate," a new film starring Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spasek.  Actor Alec Baldwin accidentally killed cinematography Halyna Hutchinson on the set of "Rust" after pointing a gun in her direction.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/19 to 11/21/2021 weekend box office is "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" with an estimated take of 44 million dollars.

From Negromancer:  My review of "Ghostbusters: Afterlife."

From Deadline:  The most recent James Bond movie, "No Time to Die," moves past the most recent "Fast & Furious" movie, "F9," to take the lead in worldwide box office.

OBITS:

From ESPN:  American professional golfer, Lee Elder, has died at the age of 87, Sunday, November 28, 2021.  In 1975, he became the first Black golfer to play The Masters Tournament.  He won four tournaments on the PGA Tour, including the 1974 Monsanto Open, which is what got him invited to the 1974 Masters.

From Variety:  American composer and lyricist and Broadway legend, Stephen Sondheim, has died at the age of 91, Friday, November 26, 2021.  He is praised for having reinvented the American musical and for incorporating complex and dissonant themes and structures from 20th century classical music into his works.  Sondheim is known for being the composer and lyricist for such musicals as "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (1979) and "Sunday in the Park with George" (1984).  He wrote the lyrics for "West Side Story" (1957) and "Gypsy" (1959).  Sondheim's accolades include nine Tony Awards, an Oscar, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

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"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From THR:  A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday for a prop shop sheds light on how alleged live ammunition ended up on the set of the Western film, "Rust," where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October.

From Deadline:  A month after cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot and killed on the New Mexico set the movie Western, "Rust," by a prop gun “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, those closest to the cinematographer held a private ceremony and interred her ashes at an unknown location.

From Deadline:  Actor Daniel Baldwin defends his brother, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film, "Rust."  "Someone loaded that gun improperly," Daniel says.

From Deadline:  The newest lawsuit involving the tragic shooting on the set of the Western film, "Rust," has been filed by the film's script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, against Alec Baldwin, the producers, the production company, armorer Hanna Gutierrez Reed, and others.

From Deadline:  Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR:   In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR:   The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline:  Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of  “sabotaging the set.”

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 7th to 13th, 2021 - Update #22

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney+ has provided a first look at Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy in "Hocus Pocus 2," the sequel to their 1993 Halloween cult classic.  "Hocus Pocus 2" is due Fall 2022.

BREAKING/CELEBRITY - From Variety:   The conservatorship over Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Britney Spears, has been terminated after 13 years, a California court has determined.

TELEVISION - From THR:  "And Just Like That," the sequel to the beloved series, "Sex in the City," has a premiere date (Dec. 9th on HBO Max) and a trailer.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  MGM is developing a "Road House" reboot with actor Jake Gyllenhaal and director Doug Liman circling the project.

CELEBRITY - From THR:  In a big feature interview, sexy actor Henry Cavill talks about "The Witcher," "Mission: Impossible," Superman, and James Bond...

COVID-19 - From THR:  Hollywood projects get stricter about COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

TECH - From Variety:  Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson is selling the VFX division of his company, Weta Digital, to Unity Software, a 3D game development platform.  Eventually, the deal will make Weta's VFX tools and tech will be available to creators all over the world.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will portray Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in Universal’s big-screen adaptation of the Tony-winning musical, "Wicked." The film will be directed by Jon M. Chu.

MOVIES - From THR:   Leonardo DiCaprio is in final talks to play infamous cult leader, Jim Jones, in a film for MGM that he will also produce.

OSCARS - From THR:  30 hopeful films enter the race for "Best Picture" at the 2022 / 94th Academy Awards.

From THR:  The Academy Awards promises 10 nominees in the "Best Picture" category at the 94th Oscars.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 11/5 to 11/7/2021 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "Eternals" with an estimated take of 71 million dollars.

From Negromancer:   My review of "Eternals."

MOVIES - From Insider:  Director Jason Reitman talks about working on "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," a franchise he's avoided his whole life, and the connection to his father who directed the original films.

MOVIES - From THR:  Regina Hall is teaming with Robert De Niro to make a sequel to De Niro's 1988 film, "Midnight Run."  In the original, De Niro played a bounty hunter tracking  a mob accountant played by the late, great Charles Grodin.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Vin Diesel has asked Dwayne Johnson to return to the "Fast & Furious" franchise for the series' final two films.  Diesel and Johnson have been at odds since the making of "The Fate of the Furious."

TELEVISION - From THR:  Tyler Perry, who does all the writing for his television series, said that his plan is to bring in other writers and directors for his TV shows sometime in the next three to four years.

TELEVISION - From ShadowandAct:  Filmmaker Deon Taylor and rapper "Master P" are developing an scripted television series based on Master P's life.

MOVIES - From THR:  Acclaimed director and Oscar-winning screenwriter, Jane Campion, talks about her new film, "The Power of the Dog" (with Benedict Cumberbatch) and why she won't do a "Marvel movie."

OBITS:

From THR:  American producer, manager, and boxing promoter, Jeff Wald, has died at the age of 77, Friday, November 12, 2021.  Wald had many celebrity clients, including his ex-wife, the late singer-songwriter, Helen Reddy.  Wald was married to Reddy and managed her at the height of her career in the 1970s.  He also managed legendary comedian George Carlin and box office superstar, actor Sylvester Stallone.

From Deadline:  The former child performer and veteran actor, Dean Stockwell, has died at the age of 85, Sunday, November 7, 2021.  Stockwell began his film career as a child actor in 1945, appearing a several films, including "Anchors Aweigh" with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.  Stockwell may be best known for the role of "Admiral Al Calavicci" in the former NBC sci-fi drama, "Quantum Leap" (1989-93), for which he received four Primetime Emmy nominations in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series."  Stockwell also earned a "Best Supporting Actor" nomination for his role in Jonathan Demme's 1988 film, the crime comedy, "Married to the Mob."

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"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR:   In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR:   The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline:  Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of  “sabotaging the set.”

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

Peter Jackson's "They Shall Not Grow Old" Expands Theatrical Release

Peter Jackson’s “They Shall Not Grow Old” Marches on, to 150 Markets across North America

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures is widening the front for Peter Jackson’s widely acclaimed World War I documentary, “They Shall Not Grow Old.” The studio will expand the release of the film to 500 theatres across 150 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, beginning on Friday, February 1, 2019, with special pre-shows the evening before. The announcement was made today by Jeff Goldstein, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “We are proud to share Peter Jackson’s outstanding documentary with audiences across North America. Bringing us into the trenches and onto the battlefield of the Great War, the film stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who serve, both then and now.”

The Warner Bros. release comes following the film’s hugely successful Fathom Events dates, which yielded record-setting results. “They Shall Not Grow Old” took in $8.34 million, making it the highest-grossing U.S. Cinema Event release ever.

Jackson’s stunning restoration of footage from more than a century ago has received rapturous praise from both critics and audiences, and just earned a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Documentary. It is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive 97% positive reviews and received an A CinemaScore.

In his announcement, Goldstein said, “We are proud to share Peter Jackson’s outstanding documentary with audiences across North America. Bringing us into the trenches and onto the battlefield of the Great War, the film stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who serve, both then and now.”

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “The Hobbit” Trilogy) comes the groundbreaking documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old,” presented on the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Applying state-of-the-art restoration, colorization and 3D technologies to century-old footage—carefully chosen from hundreds of hours of original Great War film held in the archives of the Imperial War Museum (IWM)—Jackson has created an intensely gripping, immersive and authentic cinematic experience. The only narration comes from Great War veterans themselves, selected from over 600 hours of BBC and IWM archive interviews, resulting in a gripping account of “The War to End All Wars,” told by the soldiers who experienced it.

By restoring the original footage to a standard never seen before, the human face of WWI emerges with vivid clarity through the fog of time. Jackson captures the day-to-day experience of its soldiers and reveals the reality of war for those on the front line: their attitudes about the conflict; their camaraderie and their need for humor amidst the horror; the functions of daily life in the trenches; and what their lives were like during periods of rest. Using cutting-edge techniques to transform the images of a century ago into footage that could have been shot today, Jackson both remembers and honors a generation changed forever by a global war.

“They Shall Not Grow Old” was directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Clare Olssen and Jackson, with Ken Kamins, Tessa Ross, Di Lees and Jenny Waldman serving as executive producers. The film was edited by Jabez Olssen. The music is by David Donaldson, Janet Roddick & Steve Roche.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Wingnut Films Production, co‐commissioned by 14‐18 NOW and Imperial War Museum in association with BBC. This film has been rated R for disturbing war images.

Theyshallnotgrowold.movie

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Fathom Events Announces Third Date for "They Shall Not Grow Old"

Peter Jackson’s “They Shall Not Grow Old” to Have a Third Date from Fathom Events

The Acclaimed Documentary to Screen at More Than 1,000 Locations on Monday, January 21, 2019

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On the heels of its already record-breaking release, and in response to popular demand, a third Fathom Events date has been added for Warner Bros. Pictures’ much-heralded WWI documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old,” from Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson. The film will be screened at more than 1,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada on Monday, January 21, 2019, taking advantage of the holiday weekend. The announcement was made today by Jeff Goldstein, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events.

    “We are honored to give audiences another chance to experience this groundbreaking documentary as it should be seen—in 3D and on the big screen.”

“They Shall Not Grow Old” debuted in North America at 1,122 locations on December 17, 2018, taking in an impressive $2.327 million. As anticipation grew for the second Fathom Events release date, on December 27, several locations were sold out more than a week in advance. Playing on 1,007 screens, the film earned an astounding $3.375 million for a record-shattering two-day total of $5.702 million. It is the highest-grossing U.S. cinema event to date, for both Fathom Events and the event-cinema industry.

In making the announcement, Goldstein stated, “The response to ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ has been overwhelming. Peter Jackson’s documentary is a towering achievement of film restoration that has conquered the ravages of time and stands as a fitting tribute to all those who fought and died in what was then called ‘The War to End All Wars.’ We are so proud to be part of bringing this film to audiences across the U.S. and Canada.”

“This project has been a historic and record-setting journey for Fathom, Warner Bros., our exhibitor partners and the event-cinema industry,” said Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt. “We are honored to give audiences another chance to experience this groundbreaking documentary as it should be seen—in 3D and on the big screen.”

Tickets will be available soon at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “The Hobbit” Trilogy) comes the groundbreaking documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old,” presented on the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Applying state-of-the-art restoration, colorization and 3D technologies to century-old footage—carefully chosen from hundreds of hours of original Great War film held in the archives of the Imperial War Museum (IWM)—Jackson has created an intensely gripping, immersive and authentic cinematic experience. The only narration comes from Great War veterans themselves, selected from over 600 hours of BBC and IWM archive interviews, resulting in a gripping account of “The War to End All Wars,” told by the soldiers who experienced it.

By restoring the original footage to a standard never seen before, the human face of WWI emerges with vivid clarity through the fog of time. Jackson captures the day-to-day experience of its soldiers and reveals the reality of war for those on the front line: their attitudes about the conflict; their camaraderie and their need for humor amidst the horror; the functions of daily life in the trenches; and what their lives were like during periods of rest. Using cutting-edge techniques to transform the images of a century ago into footage that could have been shot today, Jackson both remembers and honors a generation changed forever by a global war.

“They Shall Not Grow Old” was directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Clare Olssen and Jackson, with Ken Kamins, Tessa Ross, Di Lees and Jenny Waldman serving as executive producers. The film was edited by Jabez Olssen. The music is by David Donaldson, Janet Roddick & Steve Roche.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Wingnut Films Production, co‐commissioned by 14‐18 NOW and Imperial War Museum in association with BBC. This film has been rated R for disturbing war images.

Theyshallnotgrowold.movie

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Fathom Events Announces Special Showings of "They Shall Not Grow Old" Doc

Peter Jackson’s Highly Anticipated WWI Documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old” Receives Special U.S. Release December 17 and 27 Presented by Warner Bros. Pictures and Fathom Events

Tickets on Sale November 16 for This Two-Night Theatrical Event, Featuring an Introduction from World-Renowned Filmmaker Peter Jackson and Followed by a Special Piece on the Creation of this Trailblazing Documentary

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fathom Events has partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring Academy Award winner Peter Jackson’s poignant WWI documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old” to movie theaters across the U.S. on Monday, December 17, 2018 with an encore presentation on Thursday, December 27, 2018. The film is presented in 2D and RealD™ 3D, and tickets go on sale on Friday, November 16, 2018 at www.FathamEvents.com and participating theater box offices.

    “Putting this documentary on the big screen via the Fathom network will further illuminate Jackson’s work and allow moviegoers to see the impressive visual detail of the restored footage as though they were a part of that moment in time.”

Jackson recorded a special introduction to the film—which he has called his most personal—offering his perspective on why the film is important for audiences, who have never experienced WWI footage as anything but grainy black & white…and silent. In “They Shall Not Grow Old,” Jackson opens a window to the past in a way that has never been seen or heard before, noting, “Restoration is a humanizing process.” The screening will be immediately followed by special content offering firsthand insights into what went into this groundbreaking feat of research, filmmaking and storytelling.

The acclaimed documentary is an extraordinary look at the soldiers and events of the Great War, using film footage captured at the time, now presented as the world has never seen. By utilizing state-of-the-art restoration, colorization and 3D technologies, and pulling from 600 hours of BBC archival interviews, Jackson puts forth an intensely gripping, immersive and authentic experience through the eyes and voices of the British soldiers who lived it.

“We knew that partnering with Warner Bros. to bring this extraordinary documentary to U.S. audiences was essential,” said Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt. “Putting this documentary on the big screen via the Fathom network will further illuminate Jackson’s work and allow moviegoers to see the impressive visual detail of the restored footage as though they were a part of that moment in time.”

Carolyn Blackwood, President and Chief Content Officer, New Line Cinema and executive producer on “The Hobbit” Trilogy stated, “This documentary is simply special on every level – it is an arresting and gripping way to humanize and honor those who served so bravely during WWI by using actual footage shot at the time and narrated with the voices of the soldiers who experienced it. Leave it to Peter to come up with a groundbreaking way to reflect back on a period in history that deserves another look.”

Jeff Goldstein, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “With this being the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, I can’t imagine a more appropriate time to honor the courage of the soldiers who fought in WWI – what was then ‘the war to end all wars’ – many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Peter has made history come alive through the medium of film, and we are so pleased to be a part of bringing his vision to today’s audiences.”


About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the leading event cinema distributor with theater locations in all top 100 DMAs® (Designated Market Areas) and ranks as one of the largest overall theater content distributors. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), Fathom Events offers a variety of unique entertainment events in movie theaters such as live performances of the Metropolitan Opera, top Broadway stage productions, major sporting events, epic concerts, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series, inspirational events and popular anime franchises. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes for unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live Digital Broadcast Network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 975 locations and 1,578 screens in 181 DMAs. The company also provides corporations a compelling national footprint for hosting employee meetings, customer rewards events and new product launches. For more information, visit www.FathomEvents.com.

About “They Shall Not Grow Old”
The film was directed by Peter Jackson and edited by Jabez Olssen. It was produced by Jackson under his WingNut Films banner, and Clare Olssen, and executive produced by Ken Kamins and Tessa Ross, under her House Productions banner. Commissioned by the UK’s 14-18 NOW Arts Program, Imperial War Museums and BBC, it is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

About Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson produced, co-wrote and directed his screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of The Rings” trilogy, which earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and won 17, including Best Picture in 2004 for “The Return of the King.” In 2010, he wrote, directed and produced his trilogy adaptation of “The Hobbit,” which gathered a total of seven Academy Award nominations.

About 14-18 NOW
14-18 NOW is a program of arts experiences connecting people with the First World War, as part of the UK’s official centenary commemorations. It commissions new work by leading contemporary artists across all art forms; the program has included over 200 artists from 35 countries, with commissions taking place in 160 locations across the UK.

About IWM
IWM (Imperial War Museums) has five branches in England. Their unique collections tell the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War.

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

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 19th to 25th, 2018 - Update #19

Support Leroy on Patreon:

BREAKING - From ABCNews:  Senator John McCain has died at the age of 81, Saturday, August 25, 2018.  A seven-term Republican senator from Arizona, he was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1973.

----------
TELEVISION - From BleedingCool:  ABC Studios is developing a reboots of the classic TV sitcom, "Bewitched" (1964 to 1972), this time starring an "interracial" couple.

----------
JAMES BOND - From BleedingCool:  Rumors about why Danny Boyle departed as director of "Bond 25."

----------
STREAMING - From TheGuardian:  An article about Stephen Maing's Hulu documentary, "Crime+Punishment," about a group of minority NYPD officers who took on the illegal quota system.

---------
MOVIES  - From Deadline:  Lena Dunham is among new cast added to Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

From TheWrap:  Mike Moh will play legendary movie star, Bruce Lee, in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."  Article contains a link to a fine interview with the author of the biography, "Bruce Lee: A Life."

----------
CULTURE - From Deadline:  Revered Chinese -American actor, James Hong, speaks on his career on on the success of "Crazy Rich Asians."  Wong never thought it would take this long.

----------
COMICS-STREAMING - From Deadline:  Brendan Fraser will star as "Robotman" in "Doom Patrol," for the streaming service, "DC Universe."

----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline:  This coming TV season, the 2018-19 season, will be "The Big Bang Theory's" 12th and final season.  The popular CBS comedy will end its record-setting run in May 2019.

----------
MOVIES - From Collider:  Peter Jackson's World War I documentary is entitled "They Shall Not Grow Old," and it will premiere October 16th at the 2018 BFI London Film Festival.

----------
JAMES BOND - From Deadline:  Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle is out as director of the 25th James Bond film, which is due in U.S. theaters in Nov. 2019.

----------
AWARDS - From TheWrap:  2018 MTV VMA winners list.

----------
From Deadline:  TNT has ordered a talk show pilot from its "Claws" star, Niecy Nash.

----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 8/17 to 8/19/2018 weekend box office is "Crazy Rich Asians" with an estimated take of $25.2 million and also an estimated $34 million over its five days in release.

----------
SCANDAL - From YahooNews:  #MeToo figure and Harvey Weinstein accuser, Asia Argento, apparently paid off a male teen who accused Argento of sexually assaulting him.

----------
TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Fall Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series: 2018 Edition

MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves have reunited on the film, "Destination Wedding." But Ryder thinks she and Reeves were actually married during a wedding scene in 1992's "Bram Stoker's Dracula."  [That is one of my all-time favorite films.]

OBITS:

From THR:  Veteran entertainment journalist, Robin Leach, has died at the age of 76, Friday, August 24, 2018.  Leach was best known as the host of the syndicated TV series, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" (1984-1995).

From Variety and TVLine:  Film and television producer, Craig Zadan, has died at the age of 69, Tuesday, August 20, 2018.  Zadan and his partner Neil Meron produced ABC's Academy Awards telecast from 2013 to 2016.  He produced the original "Footloose" (1984), among several films. He produced NBC's recent string of live musicals, beginning with 2013's "The Sound of Music Live!" up to this year's "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert."

From BBC:  Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, has died at the age of 80, Saturday, August 18, 2018.  In 2001, Annan, born in the African nation of Ghana, won the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 13th to 19th, 2016 - Update #31

Support Leroy on Patreon.

POLITICS - From CommonDreams:  Sen. Elizabeth Warren: I am not Darth Vader...

---------------
MOVIES -  From CinemaBlend:  David Koepp, one of the writers behind Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, will writer "Indiana Jones 5."  That may be depressing, but like most big name writers for the major studios, Koepp's career has some hits and misses.  However, the truth is that this franchise needs at least one fresh voice.

---------------
TELEVISION -From Variety:  Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, who worked together in 2007's "Superbad" will reunite for a new comedy television series.

---------------
OBITS - From THR:  The actor, Larry Drake, has died at the age of 66, Thursday, March 17, 2016.  He was best known for his role as "Benny" on "L.A. Law," for which he won two Emmy Awards and received a third nomination.

---------------
OBITS - From Variety:  The actor, Joe Santos, has died at the age of 84, Friday, March 18, 2016.  He was best known for his role as Lt. Dennis Becker on NBC's "The Rockford Files."  He also appeared in "The Sopranos."

---------------
BLACK LIVE MATTER - From Gawker:  5 deputies disciplined over their behavior after a Trump supporter sucker punched an African-American protester.

---------------
BLACK LIVES MATTER - From TheVox:  Yes, Police Chief Henry Stawinski, bias did play a role in the "friendly fire" death of African-American police officer, Lynh Bui, by his white colleagues.

From WashPost:  Yes, they did see Bui as an assailant.

From YahooNews:  ABC offers details of Officer Bui's death.

---------------
OBIT - From Deadline:  The actor and singer, Frank Sinatra, Jr., has died at the age of 72, Wednesday, March 16, 2016.  He was, of course, the son of the legendary Frank Sinatra.

---------------
COMICS/OBAMA - From BleedingCool:  Sana Amanat, Marvel’s Director of Content & Character Development, editor and co-creator of the Kamala Khan/Ms Marvel character, introduced President Obama at a Women’s History Month reception at the White House on March 16th, 2016..

----------------
POLITICS - From BillMoyers:  GOP elites have only themselves to blame.

---------------
MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  "The Crow" remake is in trouble... again.

---------------
MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  Michael Mann is developing a prequel to his fondly remembered 1995 film, Heat.

---------------
MOVIES - From Variety:  Studiocanal has acquired some distribution rights for the anticipated adventure film, "Lost City of Z," that is co-produced by Brad Pitt's company.

---------------
MOVIES - From CinemaBlend:  Remember the remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street " from 2010?  Of course, you do.  Don't front!  You DON'T want to remember it.  Anyway, an early idea for the remake, that New Line passed on, is so disturbing.  It is better than what we actually got, but it may have been a bit much for a release from a major studio.

---------------
COMICS - From YahooFinance:  Sally Field talks the failure of "The Amazing Spider-Man" films.

---------------
BLACK LIVES MATTER - From TheAtlantic:  Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Paranoid Style of American Policing.

---------------
BLACK LIVES MATTER - From WashPost:  A grand jury will indict a ham sandwich unless that ham sandwich killed a young Black male.

---------------
MOVIES - From BoxOfficeMojo:  Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford will return for a fifth "Indiana Jones" movie in 2019, according to an announcement by Disney.

----------------
POLITICS - From RollingStone:  Yeah, Obama did stop giving any "fucks."

---------------
BLACK LIVES MATTER - From ThinkProgress:  Minnesota lawmaker wants Black Lives Matter activists to pay for police overtime.

---------------
STAR TREK - From Polygon:  Details on Paramount Pictures' lawsuit against Axanar Productions over its crowfunded Star Trek fanfilm, "Axanar."

From DenofGeek:  The Star Trek film that never was - "Planet of the Titans."

---------------
COMICS - From HitFix:  Robert Downey, Jr. doubts that there will be an "Iron Man 4."

---------------
POLITICS - From Truthout: No welcome mat for fascism.

---------------
POLITICS - From BuzzFlash:  Trump and GOP need more racists than ever to win.

---------------
MOVIES - From the HuffingtonPost:  Sasha Obama goes full fangirl on Ryan Reynolds at a White House state dinner, with the encourage of her sister, Malia.

---------------
MOVIES - TheWrap:  Sean Parker, the creator of Napster, plans to disrupt the movie business with something called The Screening Room.  Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson support it.

From TheWrap:  Studios react to The Screening Room.

---------------
TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  Justin Cornwell joins the "Training Day" TV pilot.

---------------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The #1 movie at the 3/11 to 3/13/2016 weekend box office is "Zootopia" with an estimated take of $50 million.

---------------
WALKING DEAD - From Variety:  Melissa McBride talks to Variety about Carol, Daryl, and more.

From Variety:  The Walking Dead, "The Same Boat," recap.

---------------
MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  Reshoots for this summer's "Star Trek Beyond" and a new cast member.  I smell trouble!

---------------
COMICS - From YahooMovies:  Daredevil, The Punisher, and Elektra converge in new promo for Netflix's "Daredevil" Season 2.

---------------
POLITICS - From RSN:  Chicago protesters force Donald Trump to cancel his Klan rally.

----------------
TRAILERS - From YouTube:  New trailer for Tim Burton's "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" from 20th Century Fox.

TRAILERS - From YouTube:  Official trailer for "X-Men Apocalypse."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 15th to 21th, 2015 - Update #33

Support Leroy on Patreon.

NEWS:

From TheDailyBeast:  Did you know that Ingrid Bergman was once slut-shamed?

---------------
From THR:  Kenneth Branagh will star in and direct a film adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" for Fox.  Branagh will play the novel's detective, Hercule Poirot.

---------------
From Variety:  Paramount and Hasbro prepare to make more "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" movies; plus a "Micronauts" movie.

---------------
From BleedingCool:  Peter Jackson admits to winging it on "The Hobbit."

---------------
From BET:  World Series and New York Yankees legend found 50 Cent too "urban."

---------------
From YahooCelebrity:  Corinne Foxx, the daughter of Jamie Foxx, is Miss Golden Globe 2016.

---------------
From TheWrap:  Emma Stone has returned to playing Billie Jean King in the film, "Battle of the Sexes," with Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs.

---------------
From THR:  The "Tomb Raider" reboot has a director, Roar Uthaug.  I haven't heard of him either.

---------------
From YahooCelebrity:  Charlie Sheen announces that he is HIV positive.

---------------
From Ecowatch:  Mark Ruffalo on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," talks eco-issues and politics.

---------------
From THR:  Someone is remaking Chris Nolan's "Memento."  Notice that today is NOT April Fool's Day.

---------------
From TheReelWord:  First look at Martin Scorsese's much-anticipated "Silence."

---------------
From TheReelWord:  The "Fast & Furious" franchise will include spinoffs and prequels.

---------------
From BleedingCool:  The Prometheus sequel keeps shifting names, and it may feature to "Alien" creatures.

---------------
From THR:  The Academy (AMPAS) has disqualified the Afghan film, "Utopia" from being considered in the "Best Foreign Language" film race for containing too much English.

---------------
From Variety:  Spike Lee finally gets his Oscar - at the 2015 Governors Awards.

---------------
From BoxOfficeMojo:  The number one movie at the 11/13 to 11/15/2015 weekend box office is the James Bond film, "Spectre," with an estimated take of $35.4 million.

---------------
From Deadline:  The French terrorism-themed film, "Made in France," which was to be released Wednesday, has had that release date cancelled.  It will be released at an unknown later date.


HARD NEWS:

From WashingtonPost:  My White neighbor...

From ContraCostaTimes:  A white-man gets a Rodney King-like beat-down.

From Salon:  This is why they hate us...

From Truthout:  You can kill your employees, but DO NOT lie to wealthy investors and federal regulators.

From RSN:  No "global domination" is not going well.

From WashPost:  Missouri State Senator seeks to stop a grad student's dissertation on abortion regulations.

From BBC:  A day before the attacks in Paris, ISIS was behind an attack in Beirut, Lebanon that left more than 40 dead.

From teleSUR:  Have we forgotten?  Do some of us even know?

From BBCBlog:  April 2014 attack in Kenya was practically ignored - cause Black lives really don't matter.
---------------

From TheIntercept:  Blame CITIZENFOUR for Paris.


COMICS - Films and Books:

From IndieWire:  There may be a new "X-Men" in 2018, perhaps with shooting beginning in 2017.

---------------
From BleedingCool:  Alan Moore is on Twitter.

---------------
From CinemaBlend:  Marvel is working on bringing back Michael Douglas to reprise his role of Hank Pym in "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

---------------
From CinemaBlend:  "Doctor Strange" adds martial artist Scott Adkins to its cast.


SPORTS:

From YahooSports:  The American League "Cy Young Award" winner is Houston Astros pitcher, Dallas Keuchel.

From YahooSports:  The National League "Cy Young Award" winner is Chicago Cubs pitcher, Jake Arrieta.

From ESPN:  Your American League "Rookie of the Year" for 2015 is Carlos Correa, shortstop for the Houston Astros.

From ESPN:  Your National League "Rookie of the Year" for 2015 is Kris Bryant, third baseman for the Chicago Cubs.
---------------

From ESPN:  The Lakers win at Detroit, and Kobe and the team honor the U.S. heroes who stopped a French train attack in August.

---------------
From ESPN:  The Jacksonville Jaguars win a road game for the first time in almost 2 years!

Review: "The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies" is a Fantastic Ending to a Joyous Trilogy

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 21 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux (support on Patreon)

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (2014)
Running time: 144 minutes (2 hours, 24 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images
DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson
WRITERS: Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro (from the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien)
PRODUCERS: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Carolynne Cunningham, and Zane Weiner
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Andrew Lesnie (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Jabez Olssen
COMPOSER: Howard Shore
Academy Award nominee

FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE with elements of drama

Starring:  Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Luke Evans, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Dean O’Gorman, Aidan Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Sylvester McCoy, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Peggy Nesbitt, Mary Nesbitt, and Benedict Cumberbatch (also voice)

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies is a 2014 fantasy-adventure film from director Peter Jackson.  The film is the third of three movies which are based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (better known by its abbreviated title, The Hobbit).  Set sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is the story of a curious Hobbit who joins a company of 13 Dwarves on a mission to reclaim their homeland from a powerful dragon.  The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies centers on the struggle to control the Lonely Mountain.

As The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies begins, Smaug (voice of Benedict Cumberbatch), the dragon that ruled over the Lonely Mountain, attacks the human settlement, Lake-town.  Now, only Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans), who is practically an outcast among his fellow humans, knows how to stop the dragon, but can he actually do it?

The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), has helped the Company of Dwarves, at last, reclaim their homeland, Erebor.  Having rid themselves of Smaug, the Dwarves settle into their ancestral home.  However, their would-be king, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), decides that he wants to keep the vast, uncountable treasure in Erebor for himself.  He seals off Erebor, even as the human survivors of Lake-town seek refuge in the nearby ruins of Dale.

Bilbo soon finds himself caught between different groups that want a share of the treasure of Erebor.  Bard, now the spokesman and ostensible leader of the humans, wants the share of the treasure Thorin promised to the humans if they helped him; now, Thorin refuses to honor that promise.  Meanwhile, the Wood-elves and their arrogant king, Thranduil (Lee Pace), have arrived in Dale, seeking the white diamonds that belong to the Elves.  While Dwarves, Elves, and humans squabble, the blood-thirsty Azog the Defiler and a war party of Orcs marches toward the Lonely Mountain like a rising tide of darkness, prepared to conquer and to kill.

When I heard that Tolkien's The Hobbit would be adapted into two films by Peter Jackson, the guiding force behind the Lord of the Rings films, I was quite pleased.  I have loved The Hobbit since I first saw the 1977 animated television film adaptation, and I have read Tolkien's original novel at least three or four times.  I was ambivalent when I heard that the two-film adaptation would become a three-film adaptation.  After seeing the second film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, I was suddenly quite interested in the third film again.

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies did not disappoint me.  I do think that the word, “war,” is spoken too many times in this movie (for my taste).  Other than that, I love The Battle of Five Armies unconditionally.  The Hobbit reminds me of a grand adventure that a boy or a young man has with this friends.  Soon, the adventure is over, and he must say goodbye to his friends – some for only a short time, some for a long time, and others forever.

The filmmakers retained the sense of friendship throughout the trilogy.  The undertaking of an adventure that becomes a coming-of-age adventure also permeates The Hobbit film trilogy.  However, The Battle of Five Armies most personifies themes of friendship and obligation, and the sense of a bond between companions is strong in this movie, making it poignant as well as thrilling.

In the end, I thank Peter Jackson for his efforts.  I find it hard to think critically about this film individually or The Hobbit trilogy as a whole.  I felt The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies in my heart, and yes, I teared up quite a bit, especially during the goodbyes.  I wish there were another adventure to come, but I can always revisit this one.

9 of 10
A+

Monday, May 18, 2015


NOTES:
2015 Academy Awards, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Achievement in Sound Editing” (Brent Burge and Jason Canovas)

2015 BAFTA Awards:  1 nomination: “Best Special Visual Effects” (Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, and R. Christopher White)

The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

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Third "Hobbit" Film Has Grossed Over $800 Million in Worldwide Box Office

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” Surpasses $800 Million and Counting

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), has crossed the $800 million mark at the worldwide box office in its fifth week in global release, now standing at more than $803 million and still climbing. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The conclusion to Peter Jackson’s acclaimed “The Hobbit” Trilogy, based on the timeless classic by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” has earned an estimated $244.5 million domestically to date and held the top spot at the box office for its first three weekends. Jackson now has the distinction of having all three films in both his “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy and “The Hobbit” Trilogy be number one at the box office for at least three consecutive weekends, which is a record for any film series.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” dominated the international box office for its first four weekends in a row, and has grossed $558.6 million to date. The juggernaut China opens the film on January 23, 2015.

Moviegoers who want to enjoy “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” on the largest possible canvas have filled IMAX® theatres worldwide. The film has grossed $35.3 million domestically, and $31.8 million for a global total of $67.1 million.

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is also led by Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Graham McTavish, Stephen Fry, and Ryan Gage. The film also stars Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Adam Brown, John Bell, Manu Bennett and John Tui.

The screenplay for “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. The associate producers are Matthew Dravitzki and Amanda Walker.

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” As with the first two films in the Trilogy, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the final film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM. Like the first two films in the Trilogy, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” was released in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) in select theaters, other 2D and 3D formats, and IMAX®. www.thehobbit.com #OneLastTime

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Final "Hobbit" Movie Has Grossed Over $550 Million in Worldwide Box Office

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” Continues Its Worldwide March, Crossing the $550 Million Mark

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” has charged past the half-billion mark in only its second week in worldwide release. A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), the film has taken in an astounding global total of $573.6 million and counting, it was announced today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “What a wonderful way to end the remarkable ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy, as well as our year. We congratulate Peter Jackson and everyone involved in creating this fitting finale, and we anticipate more excellent returns well into 2015 with several territories, including China, yet to come.”

The conclusion to Peter Jackson’s acclaimed “The Hobbit” Trilogy, based on the timeless classic by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” has continued to play to sold-out houses in North America, where the film has earned an estimated $168.5 million domestically to date and is still #1 at the box office.

Internationally, the film has grossed an estimated $405.1 million as it continues its roll out, setting records and/or topping the box office in countries around the globe, including Germany, Spain, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Holland, Switzerland and Austria, to name only a few. The film just opened on December 26 in Australia, Poland and Iceland, with much-anticipated release dates upcoming in Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela on January 1, and China on January 23, 2015.

Scores of moviegoers worldwide are also opting to experience the adventure in the immersive IMAX® format. On the heels of its record-breaking IMAX opening, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” has gone on to earn an impressive $25 million on 360 domestic screens, and $23 million on 228 screens overseas, including a Christmas day record of $1.02 million, for a global total of $48 million.

In making the announcement, Fellman said, “This is a tremendous result so early in our run, especially in this highly competitive holiday season. Together with our partners at MGM and New Line, we are very happy that moviegoers are not only thrilling to this final adventure in ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy, but also want to share the experience with their families and friends. Word of mouth and repeat business should lead to continued success as we head into next year.”

Kwan Vandenberg stated, “What a wonderful way to end the remarkable ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy, as well as our year. We congratulate Peter Jackson and everyone involved in creating this fitting finale, and we anticipate more excellent returns well into 2015 with several territories, including China, yet to come.”

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is also led by Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Graham McTavish, Stephen Fry, and Ryan Gage. The film also stars Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Adam Brown, John Bell, Manu Bennett and John Tui.

The screenplay for “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. The associate producers are Matthew Dravitzki and Amanda Walker.

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” As with the first two films in the Trilogy, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the final film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM. Like the first two films in the Trilogy, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” was released in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) in select theaters, other 2D and 3D formats, and IMAX®. www.thehobbit.com #OneLastTime

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