Worldwide Satellite Trailer Debut Mad Max: Fury Road
From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.
Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.
Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) stars in the title role in “Mad Max: Fury Road”—the fourth in the franchise’s history. Oscar winner Charlize Theron (“Monster,” “Prometheus”) stars as the Imperator, Furiosa. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (“Mad Max,” “Sleeping Beauty”) as Immortan Joe; Nathan Jones (“Conan the Barbarian”) as Rictus Erectus; Josh Helman (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Slit; collectively known as The Wives, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) is Splendid, Riley Keough (“Magic Mike”) is Capable, Zoë Kravitz (“Divergent”) plays Toast, Abbey Lee is The Dag, and Courtney Eaton is Fragile. Also featured in the movie are John Howard, Richard Carter, singer/ songwriter/performer iOTA, Angus Sampson, Jennifer Hagan, Megan Gale, Melissa Jaffer, Melita Jurisic, Gillian Jones and Joy Smithers.
Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller (“Happy Feet”) is directing the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller is also producing the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar nominee Doug Mitchell (“Babe”, “Happy Feet”), and P.J. Voeten. Iain Smith, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.
The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-winning director of photography John Seale (“The English Patient”), production designer Colin Gibson (“Babe”), editor Margaret Sixel (“Happy Feet”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (“A Room with a View”), action unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris (“Australia”), and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt (“Knowing”).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, a George Miller film, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The film is scheduled for release on May 15, 2015, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.
www.madmaxmovie.com
https://www.facebook.com/MadMaxMovie
https://twitter.com/madmaxmovie
#MadMax
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Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Review: "The Fault in Our Stars" a Love Story for All Times (Shailene Film Fest)
The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language
DIRECTOR: Josh Boone
WRITERS: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (based on the novel by John Green)
PRODUCERS: Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Richardson
EDITOR: Robb Sullivan
COMPOSERS: Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott
ROMANCE/DRAMA
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Willem Dafoe, Lotte Verbeek, Ana Dela Cruz, David Whelan, Milica Govich, and Mike Birbiglia
The Fault in Our Stars is a 2014 teen drama and romance from director Josh Boone. The film is based on the 2012 novel, The Fault in Our Stars, written by author John Green. The Fault in Our Stars the movie focuses on the unconventional romance of two teenagers battling cancer.
Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) has terminal thyroid cancer. Intelligent and sarcastic, she also has no friends. Believing her to be depressed, Hazel's mother, Frannie (Laura Dern), encourages her daughter to join a cancer patients' support group for teens. There, Hazel meets Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), an 18-year-old former basketball player and amputee who lost his right leg to bone cancer. The teens' unconventional way of looking at life and their illnesses bond them, and a romance blooms, even with the specter of death looming over them.
A movie about children dying young, especially of cancer, would be expected to be difficult to watch. However, The Fault in Our Stars is beautiful and poignant without being heartbreaking or heart-wrenching. Perhaps, the film succeeds because it is a tale of star-crossed love about two people who happen to have cancer, rather than being a love story about cancer patients.
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber's screenplay adapts the novel by focusing on love in bloom. Of course, that comes at the cost of the supporting characters and also the nuances of the relationships between Hazel and Augustus and their respective parents. The screenplay treats the parents as visitors, appendages rather than as the mothers and fathers who are obviously, intensely involved in the lives of their critically ill children. Still, Neustadter and Weber capture the freshness, spark, and enchantment of young love, while making the fact that the young lovers must confront finality seem like a magical and romantic thing rather than a dreadful thing.
With this movie, Shailene Woodley gives her best performance in a leading role to date. She is good from start to finish, and, as usual, she takes female film characters and makes them feel like real girls and young women. In the film narrative, it takes a while for Ansel Elgort to warm as Augustus, but he eventually makes the boy with the big personality a good fit for the acerbic Hazel. Director Josh Boone does excellent work by letting his leads grow into the spaces that their characters inhabit. [Woodley and Elgort also played siblings in the 2014 film, Divergent.]
The Fault in Our Stars became a worldwide hit film. Why? This Romeo and Juliet-like film is one of those classic movie love stories in which love triumphs over darkness, with a magic that dispels whatever gloom tries to come over the audience. Also, this film's musical score, composed by Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott (two members of the indie rock band, Bright Eyes), seems beautiful and uplifting even when it plays over sad moments. The Fault in Our Stars is like no other recent romantic movie, but it is exceptional and exceptionally good.
8 of 10
A
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
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Review: Woodley Carries "Divergent" to Victory (Shailene Film Fest)
Divergent (2014)
Running time: 139 minutes (2 hours, 19 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements and some sensuality
DIRECTOR: Neil Burger
WRITERS: Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor (based on the novel by Veronica Roth)
PRODUCERS: Lucy Fisher, Pouya Shahbazian, and Douglas Wick
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Alwin H. Küchler (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Richard Francis-Bruce and Nancy Richardson
COMPOSER: Junkie XL
SCI-FI/DRAMA/THRILLER
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Tony Goldwyn, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Mekhi Phifer, Kate Winslet, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Christian Madsen, Amy Newbold, and Ben Lamb
Divergent is a 2014 science fiction drama from director Neil Burger. The film is based on the 2011 novel, Divergent, by author Veronica Roth. Divergent the film is set in a world divided by factions and focuses on a teen girl who does not really fit in with any one faction.
Divergent is set in an indeterminate future and a dystopian Chicago that is a walled city. There, society is divided into five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intelligent). There is also a sixth group, the “Factionless,” in which the members are homeless and shunned by everyone except Abnegation.
Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) belongs to Abnegation with her mother, Natalie (Ashley Judd); father, Andrew (Tony Goldwyn); and brother, Caleb ( Ansel Elgort). On her sixteenth birthday, Beatrice will take an aptitude test that is supposed to decide in which faction she would best fit. She will also learn of a plot to destroy Divergents, people who think independently and do not really fit into any particular faction. To which faction does Beatrice belong? Or is she Divergent?
If honesty is the best policy (and often it is), then, I must be honest about my feelings concerning Divergent. I love it – totally love it. I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. There, are two things about Divergent that stand out to me: (1) the story's themes and messages and (2) Shailene Woodley's performance.
I think that Divergent the film is not literal dystopian science fiction so much as it is metaphorical and thematic. It is not important that Chicago is a post-apocalyptic city full of survivors trying to both eek out a living and to maintain a social order that is supposed to... well, maintain social order. In the film, Chicago is important as a setting where creeping individualism meets growing spots of selflessness. Beatrice wants not only to be “herself,” but to also fit in where she wants. Being an individual means being able to help people outside of one's caste, even if one's caste-mates frown upon that. Divergent's story, as I see it, says that the individual and the society are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the reign of one over the other means disaster for everyone.
As for Ms. Woodley's performance, she does what the best actors do with a character – bring them fully to life. She makes Beatrice's wants and desires, conflicts and confusion, and her goals and struggles tangible, as if they belong to an actual living person. When an actor can do this, she makes the audience buy into the character, as if the character were a real person. I can see why people compare Woodley to fellow millennial actress, Jennifer Lawrence, but they are different from each other. Lawrence's characters tend to be brash and bold, even when they are vulnerable. Shailene Woodley is vulnerable and brash and brave in equal measures and at the same time.
Theo James, as the love-interest, Four, is good. Perhaps, director Neil Burger makes him scowl more than he needs to do for this young male character who must be upfront and hidden. James, however, has a screen quality that at least serves this film well.
In some ways, Divergent is predictable and follows the hero vs. the system journey so common in films adapted from Young Adult (YA) dystopian science fiction and fantasy books. However, Divergent is not generic because of Woodley, by both her performance and her engaging screen presence. She grabbed me and forced me to live in Beatrice's world. I am glad that this film's box office success has yielded a sequel.
8 of 10
A
Friday, November 14, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
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Review: "The Spectacular Now" a Spectacular Love Story (Shailene Film Fest)
The Spectacular Now (2013)
Running time: 95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)
MPAA – R for alcohol use, language and some sexuality - all involving teens
DIRECTOR: James Ponsoldt
WRITERS: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (based on the novel by Tim Tharp)
PRODUCERS: Michelle Krumm, Andrew Lauren, Shawn Levy, and Tom McNulty
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jess Hall (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Darrin Navarro
COMPOSER: Rob Simonsen
DRAMA/ROMANCE
Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Masam Holden, Dayo Okeniyi, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nicci Faires, Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
The Spectacular Now is a 2013 drama and romantic film from director James Ponsoldt. The film is based on the 2008 novel, The Spectacular Now, by Tim Tharp. The film follows a hard-drinking high school senior whose life changes when he meets a nice girl, the kind he previously ignored.
Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) is a high school senior who likes to drink and party. He is charming and self-possessed, and he lives in “the now.” He is also a budding alcoholic. After a night of drinking, he wakes up in someone's yard, and standing over him is Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley). She is the nice girl who reads science fiction and manga (Japanese comics), and does not have a boyfriend. Sutter and Aimee start dating, but while Aimee dreams of a future with him, Sutter is not sure what he wants, other than to live in the “spectacular now.”
Much of the attention about The Spectacular Now, when it was released last year, focused on rising star, Shailene Woodley. And she is indeed spectacular here. She is a natural talent, and she seems like a pure movie star. Perhaps, the camera does indeed love her, but I am sure that my eye-camera loves her. Woodley is sincere and refreshing and makes this film sincere and refreshing – different from so many other romantic teen dramas.
However, Miles Teller also gives an exceptional performance. Sutter Keely has soul, and he makes The Spectacular Now a truly soulful film. Sutter has substance; there is something inside him. He is a three-dimensional character, fighting in conflicts and holding motivation, even when it seems as if he does not have any motivation. Teller is also a rising star, and has been cast as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in 20th Century Fox's reboot of its Fantastic Four film franchise. Teller doesn't necessarily look like a leading man, but he has the talent to take him to leading man status.
The Spectacular Now is a surprisingly good film, mainly because of its romantic leads, Teller and Woodley, but there are plenty of good supporting performances – actors that add to this film's wonderful sense of naturalism. The always-good Kyle Chandler makes the most of his screen time in a small role as Sutter's absentee father. Chandler is intense and coiled, as if he is ready to explode or to strike. It isn't a showy performance; rather, it adds to this film's overall quality. The Spectacular Now is... well, spectacular, but in a subdued and inviting manner. In the history of American cinema, it will go down as an authentic teen movie.
8 of 10
A
Friday, November 7, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
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British Independent Film Awards Name Beresford and Warchus' "Pride" Best Indie Film
In 1998, Raindance created the British Independent Film Awards to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking. The awards also honor new talent and promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public.
On Sunday, December 7, 2014, the winners for the 17th Annual Moët British Independent Film Awards were announced at the Old Billingsgate in London.
The 2014/17th Annual Moët British Independent Film Awards winners:
BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM -Sponsored by Moët & Chandon
Pride
BEST DIRECTOR - Sponsored by AllCity & Intermission
Yann Demange – '71
THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR] - Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios
Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard – 20,000 Days on Earth
BEST SCREENPLAY - Sponsored by BBC Films
Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan – Frank
BEST ACTRESS - Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics
Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Belle
BEST ACTOR - Sponsored by Movado
Brendan Gleeson – Calvary
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Imelda Staunton – Pride
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Sponsored by St Martins Lane
Andrew Scott – Pride
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – Catch Me Daddy
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
The Goob
BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Stephen Rennicks - Music – Frank
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Next Goal Wins
BEST BRITISH SHORT
The Kármán Line
BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM
Boyhood
THE RAINDANCE AWARD
Luna
THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film):
Emma Thompson
THE VARIETY AWARD
Benedict Cumberbatch
THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Announced at the Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 7th December
John Boorman
-----------------------
On Sunday, December 7, 2014, the winners for the 17th Annual Moët British Independent Film Awards were announced at the Old Billingsgate in London.
The 2014/17th Annual Moët British Independent Film Awards winners:
BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM -Sponsored by Moët & Chandon
Pride
BEST DIRECTOR - Sponsored by AllCity & Intermission
Yann Demange – '71
THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR] - Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios
Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard – 20,000 Days on Earth
BEST SCREENPLAY - Sponsored by BBC Films
Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan – Frank
BEST ACTRESS - Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics
Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Belle
BEST ACTOR - Sponsored by Movado
Brendan Gleeson – Calvary
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Imelda Staunton – Pride
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Sponsored by St Martins Lane
Andrew Scott – Pride
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – Catch Me Daddy
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
The Goob
BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Stephen Rennicks - Music – Frank
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Next Goal Wins
BEST BRITISH SHORT
The Kármán Line
BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM
Boyhood
THE RAINDANCE AWARD
Luna
THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film):
Emma Thompson
THE VARIETY AWARD
Benedict Cumberbatch
THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Announced at the Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 7th December
John Boorman
-----------------------
"Boyhood" is Los Angeles Film Critics' Best Picture of 2014
The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) is a professional organization of Los Angeles-based, professional film critics working in the Los Angeles print and electronic media. Since 1975, LAFCA members vote on the year's Achievement Awards each December, honoring screen excellence on both sides of the camera.
40th Annual (2014) Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards:
BEST PICTURE: “Boyhood”
Runner-up: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
BEST DIRECTOR: Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Wes Anderson for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
BEST ACTOR: Tom Hardy for "Locke"
Runner-up: Michael Keaton for "BIRDMAN"
BEST ACTRESS: Patricia Arquette for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Julianne Moore for "Still Alice"
Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons for “Whiplash”
Runner up: Edward Norton for "Birdman"
Best Supporting Actress: Agata Kulesza for "Ida"
Runner-up: Rene Russo "Nightcrawler"
Best Screenplay: Wes Anderson fir “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Runner-up: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr., and Armando Bo for "Birdman"
Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki for "Birdman"
Runner-up: Dick Pope for "Mr Turner"
Best Production Design: Adam Stockhausen for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Runner-up: Ondrej Nekvasil for "Snowpiercer"
Best Editing: Sandra Adair for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Barney Pilling "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Best Music Score (TIE): Jonny Greenwood for "Inherent Vice" and Mica Levi for "Under the Skin"
Best Foreign-Language Film: "Ida" Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Runner-up: "Winter Sleep" directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Best Documentary/Non-Fiction Film: "CITIZENFOUR" Directed by Laura Poitras
Runner-up: "Life Itself" Directed by Steve James
Best Animation: "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” directed by Isao Takahata
Runner-up: "The Lego Movie" directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
New Generation: Ava DuVernay for “Selma”
The Douglas Edwards Experimental/Independent Film/Video Award: Walter Reuben "The David Whiting Story"
Career Achievement: Gena Rowlands
-------------------------
40th Annual (2014) Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards:
BEST PICTURE: “Boyhood”
Runner-up: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
BEST DIRECTOR: Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Wes Anderson for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
BEST ACTOR: Tom Hardy for "Locke"
Runner-up: Michael Keaton for "BIRDMAN"
BEST ACTRESS: Patricia Arquette for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Julianne Moore for "Still Alice"
Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons for “Whiplash”
Runner up: Edward Norton for "Birdman"
Best Supporting Actress: Agata Kulesza for "Ida"
Runner-up: Rene Russo "Nightcrawler"
Best Screenplay: Wes Anderson fir “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Runner-up: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr., and Armando Bo for "Birdman"
Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki for "Birdman"
Runner-up: Dick Pope for "Mr Turner"
Best Production Design: Adam Stockhausen for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Runner-up: Ondrej Nekvasil for "Snowpiercer"
Best Editing: Sandra Adair for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Barney Pilling "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Best Music Score (TIE): Jonny Greenwood for "Inherent Vice" and Mica Levi for "Under the Skin"
Best Foreign-Language Film: "Ida" Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Runner-up: "Winter Sleep" directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Best Documentary/Non-Fiction Film: "CITIZENFOUR" Directed by Laura Poitras
Runner-up: "Life Itself" Directed by Steve James
Best Animation: "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” directed by Isao Takahata
Runner-up: "The Lego Movie" directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
New Generation: Ava DuVernay for “Selma”
The Douglas Edwards Experimental/Independent Film/Video Award: Walter Reuben "The David Whiting Story"
Career Achievement: Gena Rowlands
-------------------------
Monday, December 8, 2014
President Barack Obama Talks to BET News Monday, December 8th, 2014
Exclusive: President Barack Obama Sits Down with BET Networks for an Interview at the White House to Discuss Recent Unrest in America
President Barack Obama’s Interview with BET Networks to Air on "106 & PARK"; Interview Covers Modern Civil Rights, Police Relations and Justice For All in America
BET News Special Interview To Air Immediately Following "106 & PARK"
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an exclusive interview with BET Networks, President Barack Obama addressed community concerns and calls for justice and equality after recent grand jury decisions. BET’s “106 & PARK” will air a portion of the interview on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 5 p.m. ET/PT. The full in-depth interview will air immediately following at 6 p.m. ET/PT in “BET News Presents: A Conversation with President Barack Obama.”
This marks President Obama's first network interview during which he shares his thoughts on events that have sparked major protests nationwide. The special segment on “106 & PARK” is dedicated to bringing an empowering message to finding meaningful solutions and learning from the incidents that occurred in Ferguson, MO and across the nation.
President Obama discussed his strategy not only to investigate the various incidents, but ways in which he believes that country can come together during this time. BET News’ Jeff Johnson conducted the interview. The full interview will be available on BET.com following “BET News Presents: A Conversation with President Barack Obama,” which airs on December 8, 2014 at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
A preview of the “106 & PARK” interview is available here: https://qlnk.io/ql/5483709be4b057ea2df0d14a .
All reporting must credit “BET Networks.”
About “106 & PARK”
A powerful presence in the music and entertainment industry, “106 & PARK” has been the #1 music variety show on cable for the past 25 consecutive quarters among adults 18-49, according to the Nielsen Company, and has been integral in launching the careers of numerous artists. “106 & PARK” has become THE destination for today's brightest stars including Denzel Washington, Madonna, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Diddy, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Queen Latifah, Will Ferrell, Lady Gaga, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Lebron James, 50 Cent, Will Smith, Drake and many, many others. “106 & PARK” will host its final daily on-air show December 19, 2014 concluding its impressive 14-year run. The “106 & PARK” brand remains strong and will continue to produce various specials throughout the year including its annual New Year’s Eve show, “106 & PARTY,” along with live event experiences at the “BET Awards” and BET Experience.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
President Barack Obama’s Interview with BET Networks to Air on "106 & PARK"; Interview Covers Modern Civil Rights, Police Relations and Justice For All in America
BET News Special Interview To Air Immediately Following "106 & PARK"
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an exclusive interview with BET Networks, President Barack Obama addressed community concerns and calls for justice and equality after recent grand jury decisions. BET’s “106 & PARK” will air a portion of the interview on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 5 p.m. ET/PT. The full in-depth interview will air immediately following at 6 p.m. ET/PT in “BET News Presents: A Conversation with President Barack Obama.”
This marks President Obama's first network interview during which he shares his thoughts on events that have sparked major protests nationwide. The special segment on “106 & PARK” is dedicated to bringing an empowering message to finding meaningful solutions and learning from the incidents that occurred in Ferguson, MO and across the nation.
President Obama discussed his strategy not only to investigate the various incidents, but ways in which he believes that country can come together during this time. BET News’ Jeff Johnson conducted the interview. The full interview will be available on BET.com following “BET News Presents: A Conversation with President Barack Obama,” which airs on December 8, 2014 at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
A preview of the “106 & PARK” interview is available here: https://qlnk.io/ql/5483709be4b057ea2df0d14a .
All reporting must credit “BET Networks.”
About “106 & PARK”
A powerful presence in the music and entertainment industry, “106 & PARK” has been the #1 music variety show on cable for the past 25 consecutive quarters among adults 18-49, according to the Nielsen Company, and has been integral in launching the careers of numerous artists. “106 & PARK” has become THE destination for today's brightest stars including Denzel Washington, Madonna, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Diddy, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Queen Latifah, Will Ferrell, Lady Gaga, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Lebron James, 50 Cent, Will Smith, Drake and many, many others. “106 & PARK” will host its final daily on-air show December 19, 2014 concluding its impressive 14-year run. The “106 & PARK” brand remains strong and will continue to produce various specials throughout the year including its annual New Year’s Eve show, “106 & PARTY,” along with live event experiences at the “BET Awards” and BET Experience.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
10 Films Contend for 5 "Best Visual Effects" Nominations at 87th Oscars (2015)
10 Contenders Remain In VFX Oscar® Race
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 87th Oscars®.
The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The 87th Academy Awards® nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 87th Oscars®.
The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
- “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
- “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
- “Godzilla”
- “Guardians of the Galaxy”
- “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
- “Interstellar”
- “Maleficent”
- “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”
- “Transformers: Age of Extinction”
- “X-Men: Days of Future Past”
The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The 87th Academy Awards® nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
2015 Annie Awards Nominations Announced - Complete List
ASIFA-Hollywood, the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Society, presents the Annie Awards. The Annie honors achievements in animation as a whole, including current animated productions, as well as career and lifetime achievements. These awards were created in 1972 by veteran voice talent June Foray.
On Monday, December 1, 2014, ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the year 2014's best in the field of animation. The Annie Awards cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects, and Outstanding Individual Achievements. The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. A pre-reception and press line begins at 5:00 pm with the awards ceremony following at 7:00 pm. A post-show celebration begins immediately following the ceremony, and all events will be held at Royce Hall.
The “Juried Awards” honoring career achievement and exceptional contributions to animation, will also be presented. Three “Winsor McCay” recipients have been selected by the ASIFA-Hollywood Board of Directors, and they are Didier Brunner, Don Lusk and Lee Mendelson for their career contributions to the art of animation. The “June Foray Award” goes to Charles Solomon for his significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation. The “Ub Iwerks Award” goes to DreamWorks Animation’s Apollo Software for technical advancement that has made a significant impact on the art or industry of animation. The “Special Achievement Award” will be given to The Walt Disney Family Museum recognizing the unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation.
2015/42nd Annie Awards nominations:
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES
Best Animated Feature
Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
The Book of Life - Reel FX
The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
The LEGO Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Best Animated Special Production
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
Dawn of the Dragon Racers - DreamWorks Animation
How Murray Saved Christmas - Universal Television
Polariffic - Bent Image Lab
Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Best Animated Short Subject
Coda - 62 George Street
Duet - Glen Keane Productions
Feast - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Inside Homer - The Simpsons Couch Gag (Episode #549) - Acme Filmworks
Me and My Moulton - National Film Board of Canada
Silent - Creative Artists Agency
The Dam Keeper - Tonko House LLC
The Raven - Moonbot Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial
Citizen M: "Swan Song" - Stoopid Buddy Stoodios
Flight of the Stories - Aardman Animations
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham - Plastic Wax
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
Doc McStuffins - Disney Channel / Disney XD
Peter Rabbit - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Wallykazam! - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Zack & Quack - Zodiak Kids
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience
Adventure Time - Cartoon Network
Gravity Falls - Disney Television Animation
Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Over The Garden Wall - Cartoon Network
Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Archer - FX Networks
Back To Backspace - Cartoon Network Studios
Bob's Burgers - Bento Box Entertainment
Rick and Morty - Starburns Industries, Inc.
Mike Tyson Mysteries - Warner Bros. Animation
Regular Show - Cartoon Network Studios
The Simpsons - The Simpsons
Best Animated Video Game
Forza Horizon 2 - Microsoft - Turn 10 Studios
Valiant Hearts: The Great War - Ubisoft
Child of Light - Ubisoft
Best Student Film
After School - Junyi Xiao
Dead Over Heels - Jose Matheu
El Coyote - Javier Barboza
Frog's Legs - Katie Tamboer
My Big Brother - Jason Rayner
Tiny Nomad - Toniko Pantoja
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
Michael Kaschalk, Peter DeMund, David Hutchins, Henrik Falt, John Kosnik - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
James Jackson, Lucas Janin, Tobin Jones, Baptiste Van Opstal, Jason Mayer - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Fangwei Lee, Krzysztof Rost, Jihyun Yoon, Robert Chen - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Mitul Patel, Nicolas Delbecq, Santosh Khedkar, Yash Argawal - Penguins of Madagascar - DreamWorks Animation
Augusto Schillaci, Erich Turner, Bill Konersman, Chris Rasch, Joseph Burnette - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Rick Sevy, Peter Vickery, Kent Estep, Peter Stuart, Ralph Procida - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Jayandera Danappal, Matt Ebb, Christian Epunan Hernandez, Danielle Brooks, Raphael Gadot - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
Steve Avoujageli, Atsushi Ikarashi, Pawel Grochola, Paul Waggoner, Viktor Lundqvist - Edge of Tomorrow - Sony Pictures Imageworks
Raul Essig, Karin Cooper, Rick Hankins, Owen Calouro - Noah - Industrial Light & Magic
Charles-Felix Chabert, Daniel La Chapelle, Spencer Lueders, Klaus Seitschek, Chris Messineo - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Sony Pictures Imageworks
Areito Echevarria, Andreas Soderstrom, Ronnie Menahem, Christoph Sprenger, Kevin Romond - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Weta Digital
Michael Balog, Jim Van Allen, Rick Hankins, John Hansen - Transformers: Age of Extinction - Industrial Light & Magic
Jeremy Hampton, Daniel Stern, Edmond Smith III, Hiroshi Tsubokawa, Daniel Jenkins - X-Men: Days of Future Past - Digital Domain
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Don Crum - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Carlo Vogele - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Ken Kim - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Michael Granberry - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Teresa Drilling - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Justin Nichols - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
Fabio Lignini - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Steven "Shaggy" Hornby - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Thomas Grummt - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Ravi Kamble - Penguins of Madagascar - DreamWorks Animation
Travis Knight - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Malcolm Lamont - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Jason Stalman - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
Daniel Barrett, Paul Story, Eteuati Tema, Alessandro Bonora, Dejan Momcilovic - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - Weta Digital
Kevin Spruce, Dale Newton, Sidney Kombo, Chris Mullins, Brad Silby - Guardians of the Galaxy - Framestore
Eric Reynolds, David Clayton, Andreja Vuckovic, Guillaume Francois, Gios Johnston - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Weta Digital
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game
Mike Mennillo - Assassin's Creed Unity - Ubisoft
Don't Starve: Console Edition - Klei Entertainment Inc.
Alex Drouin - Child Of Light - Ubisoft
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Andy Suriano - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Benjamin Balistreri - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Zac Gorman - Welcome to the Wayne - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Shiyoon Kim, Jin Kim - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Timothy Lamb, Joe Moshier - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Craig Kellman, Joe Moshier, Stevie Lewis, Todd Kurosawa - Penguins of Madagascar - DreamWorks Animation
Sang Jun Lee, Jason Sadler, José Manuel Fernandez Oli - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Tomm Moore, Marie Thorhauge, Sandra Anderson, Rosa Ballester Cabo - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Paul Sullivan, Sandra Equihua, Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Mike Smith - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Yuasa Masaaki, Eunyoung Choi - Adventure Time - Cartoon Network
Bryan Fordney - Archer - FX Networks
Jennifer Coyle & Bernard Derriman - Bob's Burgers - Bento Box Entertainment
Aaron Springer - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Rob Renzetti - Gravity Falls - Disney Television Animation
Robert Alvarez, Ken Bruce, Larry Leichliter - Over The Garden Wall - Cartoon Network
Matthew Nastuk - The Simpsons - The Simpsons
David Thomas - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Don Hall & Chris Williams - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Bill Plympton - Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Tomm Moore - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Anthony Stacchi & Graham Annable - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, Directors; Chris McKay, Co-Director - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Isao Takahata - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Christopher Willis - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Peter Lurye, George Gabriel, Chris Gifford - Dora and Friends: Into the City! - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Jay Vincent, Michael Kramer, Jeppe Riddervold, Erin Chapman - Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu - Jam
Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter & Michael McCuistion - Marvel's Avengers Assemble - Dynamic Music Partners
Nathan Barr & Lisbeth Scott - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
Nicole Renaud, Composer - Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
John Powell, Jónsi - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Danny Elfman - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Bruno Coulais & Kila - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Kara Vallow, Brent Woods, Lucas Gray & Andrew Brandou - Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
Joseph Holt - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Narina Sokolova - Mickey Shorts - Disney
Kevin Dart, Chris Turnham, Jasmin Lai & Elle Michalka - The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
Antonio Canobbio, Khang Le, Mark Taihei, Howard Chen & Brandon Cuellar - Turbo FAST - DreamWorks Animation
Alex Kirwan, Chris Tsirigotis, Alexander Duckworth, Janice Kubo & Francis Giglio - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Erez Gavish - Zack & Quack - Zodiak Kids
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
David James, Ruben Perez, Priscilla Wong, Timothy Lamb & Alexandre Puvilland - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Adrien Merigeau - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Simon Varela & Paul Sullivan - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Paul Lasaine, Tom McClure & August Hall - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Grant Freckelton - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Heiko Drengenberg - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Luke Weber, Alonso Ramirez Ramos, Neil Graf & Steve Heneveld - Gravity Falls - Disney Television Animation
Joaquim Dos Santos - Legend of Korra -Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Nathaniel Villanueva & Douglas Lovelace - Star Wars Rebels - Disney Channel / Disney XD
Brad Ableson, Matthew Faughnan & Stephen Reis - The Simpsons - Film Roman
Louise Smythe - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Mark Ackland - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Marc E. Smith - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Truong "Tron" Son Mai - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Piero Peluso - Planes: Fire & Rescue - Disneytoon Studios
John Hurst - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Rodrigo Castro - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Julian Nariño - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features
Emanuela Cozzi - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Bill Farmer as the voices of Goofy and Grandma - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Carlos Alazaraqui as the voice of Crocker - Fairly Oddparents - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Seth Green as the voice of Robot Chicken Nerd - Robot Chicken - Stoopid Buddy Stoodios
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Cyndi Lauper as the voice of Nurse Cyndi - Henry & Me - Reveal Animation Studios
Andy Garcia as the voice of Eduardo - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Sir Ben Kingsley as the voice of Archibald Snatcher - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of Fish - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Darrick Bachman - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Dave Tennant, David P. Smith, Chris Mitchell & Will Mata - The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
Rob LaZebnik - The Simpsons - 20th Century Fox
Tim Long - The Simpsons - 20th Century Fox
Steve Purcell - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Will Collins - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Irena Brignull & Adam Pava - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller - The Lego Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Illya Owens - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Ernesto Matamoros - Dragons: Defenders of Berk - DreamWorks Animation Television
Mike Elias - Family Guy - Super 78
David Suther, Bradley Furnish & David Condolora - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Todd Raleigh & Doug Vito - Turbo FAST - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
Tim Mertens - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
John K. Carr - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Dan Molina, Mark Keefer & Karen Hathaway - Planes: Fire & Rescue - Disneytoon Studios
Darragh Byrne - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
David Burrows, Todd Hansen, Doug Nicholas, Jonathan Tappin & Courtney O'Brien-Brown - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
www.annieawards.org
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On Monday, December 1, 2014, ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the year 2014's best in the field of animation. The Annie Awards cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects, and Outstanding Individual Achievements. The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. A pre-reception and press line begins at 5:00 pm with the awards ceremony following at 7:00 pm. A post-show celebration begins immediately following the ceremony, and all events will be held at Royce Hall.
The “Juried Awards” honoring career achievement and exceptional contributions to animation, will also be presented. Three “Winsor McCay” recipients have been selected by the ASIFA-Hollywood Board of Directors, and they are Didier Brunner, Don Lusk and Lee Mendelson for their career contributions to the art of animation. The “June Foray Award” goes to Charles Solomon for his significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation. The “Ub Iwerks Award” goes to DreamWorks Animation’s Apollo Software for technical advancement that has made a significant impact on the art or industry of animation. The “Special Achievement Award” will be given to The Walt Disney Family Museum recognizing the unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation.
2015/42nd Annie Awards nominations:
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES
Best Animated Feature
Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
The Book of Life - Reel FX
The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
The LEGO Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Best Animated Special Production
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
Dawn of the Dragon Racers - DreamWorks Animation
How Murray Saved Christmas - Universal Television
Polariffic - Bent Image Lab
Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Best Animated Short Subject
Coda - 62 George Street
Duet - Glen Keane Productions
Feast - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Inside Homer - The Simpsons Couch Gag (Episode #549) - Acme Filmworks
Me and My Moulton - National Film Board of Canada
Silent - Creative Artists Agency
The Dam Keeper - Tonko House LLC
The Raven - Moonbot Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial
Citizen M: "Swan Song" - Stoopid Buddy Stoodios
Flight of the Stories - Aardman Animations
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham - Plastic Wax
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
Doc McStuffins - Disney Channel / Disney XD
Peter Rabbit - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Wallykazam! - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Zack & Quack - Zodiak Kids
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience
Adventure Time - Cartoon Network
Gravity Falls - Disney Television Animation
Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Over The Garden Wall - Cartoon Network
Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Archer - FX Networks
Back To Backspace - Cartoon Network Studios
Bob's Burgers - Bento Box Entertainment
Rick and Morty - Starburns Industries, Inc.
Mike Tyson Mysteries - Warner Bros. Animation
Regular Show - Cartoon Network Studios
The Simpsons - The Simpsons
Best Animated Video Game
Forza Horizon 2 - Microsoft - Turn 10 Studios
Valiant Hearts: The Great War - Ubisoft
Child of Light - Ubisoft
Best Student Film
After School - Junyi Xiao
Dead Over Heels - Jose Matheu
El Coyote - Javier Barboza
Frog's Legs - Katie Tamboer
My Big Brother - Jason Rayner
Tiny Nomad - Toniko Pantoja
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
Michael Kaschalk, Peter DeMund, David Hutchins, Henrik Falt, John Kosnik - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
James Jackson, Lucas Janin, Tobin Jones, Baptiste Van Opstal, Jason Mayer - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Fangwei Lee, Krzysztof Rost, Jihyun Yoon, Robert Chen - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Mitul Patel, Nicolas Delbecq, Santosh Khedkar, Yash Argawal - Penguins of Madagascar - DreamWorks Animation
Augusto Schillaci, Erich Turner, Bill Konersman, Chris Rasch, Joseph Burnette - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Rick Sevy, Peter Vickery, Kent Estep, Peter Stuart, Ralph Procida - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Jayandera Danappal, Matt Ebb, Christian Epunan Hernandez, Danielle Brooks, Raphael Gadot - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
Steve Avoujageli, Atsushi Ikarashi, Pawel Grochola, Paul Waggoner, Viktor Lundqvist - Edge of Tomorrow - Sony Pictures Imageworks
Raul Essig, Karin Cooper, Rick Hankins, Owen Calouro - Noah - Industrial Light & Magic
Charles-Felix Chabert, Daniel La Chapelle, Spencer Lueders, Klaus Seitschek, Chris Messineo - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Sony Pictures Imageworks
Areito Echevarria, Andreas Soderstrom, Ronnie Menahem, Christoph Sprenger, Kevin Romond - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Weta Digital
Michael Balog, Jim Van Allen, Rick Hankins, John Hansen - Transformers: Age of Extinction - Industrial Light & Magic
Jeremy Hampton, Daniel Stern, Edmond Smith III, Hiroshi Tsubokawa, Daniel Jenkins - X-Men: Days of Future Past - Digital Domain
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Don Crum - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Carlo Vogele - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Ken Kim - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Michael Granberry - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Teresa Drilling - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Justin Nichols - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
Fabio Lignini - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Steven "Shaggy" Hornby - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Thomas Grummt - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Ravi Kamble - Penguins of Madagascar - DreamWorks Animation
Travis Knight - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Malcolm Lamont - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Jason Stalman - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
Daniel Barrett, Paul Story, Eteuati Tema, Alessandro Bonora, Dejan Momcilovic - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - Weta Digital
Kevin Spruce, Dale Newton, Sidney Kombo, Chris Mullins, Brad Silby - Guardians of the Galaxy - Framestore
Eric Reynolds, David Clayton, Andreja Vuckovic, Guillaume Francois, Gios Johnston - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Weta Digital
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game
Mike Mennillo - Assassin's Creed Unity - Ubisoft
Don't Starve: Console Edition - Klei Entertainment Inc.
Alex Drouin - Child Of Light - Ubisoft
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Andy Suriano - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Benjamin Balistreri - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Zac Gorman - Welcome to the Wayne - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Shiyoon Kim, Jin Kim - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Timothy Lamb, Joe Moshier - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Craig Kellman, Joe Moshier, Stevie Lewis, Todd Kurosawa - Penguins of Madagascar - DreamWorks Animation
Sang Jun Lee, Jason Sadler, José Manuel Fernandez Oli - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Tomm Moore, Marie Thorhauge, Sandra Anderson, Rosa Ballester Cabo - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Paul Sullivan, Sandra Equihua, Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Mike Smith - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Yuasa Masaaki, Eunyoung Choi - Adventure Time - Cartoon Network
Bryan Fordney - Archer - FX Networks
Jennifer Coyle & Bernard Derriman - Bob's Burgers - Bento Box Entertainment
Aaron Springer - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Rob Renzetti - Gravity Falls - Disney Television Animation
Robert Alvarez, Ken Bruce, Larry Leichliter - Over The Garden Wall - Cartoon Network
Matthew Nastuk - The Simpsons - The Simpsons
David Thomas - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Don Hall & Chris Williams - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Bill Plympton - Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Tomm Moore - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Anthony Stacchi & Graham Annable - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, Directors; Chris McKay, Co-Director - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Isao Takahata - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Christopher Willis - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Peter Lurye, George Gabriel, Chris Gifford - Dora and Friends: Into the City! - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Jay Vincent, Michael Kramer, Jeppe Riddervold, Erin Chapman - Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu - Jam
Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter & Michael McCuistion - Marvel's Avengers Assemble - Dynamic Music Partners
Nathan Barr & Lisbeth Scott - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
Nicole Renaud, Composer - Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
John Powell, Jónsi - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Danny Elfman - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Bruno Coulais & Kila - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Kara Vallow, Brent Woods, Lucas Gray & Andrew Brandou - Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
Joseph Holt - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Narina Sokolova - Mickey Shorts - Disney
Kevin Dart, Chris Turnham, Jasmin Lai & Elle Michalka - The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
Antonio Canobbio, Khang Le, Mark Taihei, Howard Chen & Brandon Cuellar - Turbo FAST - DreamWorks Animation
Alex Kirwan, Chris Tsirigotis, Alexander Duckworth, Janice Kubo & Francis Giglio - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Erez Gavish - Zack & Quack - Zodiak Kids
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
David James, Ruben Perez, Priscilla Wong, Timothy Lamb & Alexandre Puvilland - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - DreamWorks Animation
Adrien Merigeau - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Simon Varela & Paul Sullivan - The Book of Life - Reel FX
Paul Lasaine, Tom McClure & August Hall - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Grant Freckelton - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Heiko Drengenberg - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Luke Weber, Alonso Ramirez Ramos, Neil Graf & Steve Heneveld - Gravity Falls - Disney Television Animation
Joaquim Dos Santos - Legend of Korra -Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Nathaniel Villanueva & Douglas Lovelace - Star Wars Rebels - Disney Channel / Disney XD
Brad Ableson, Matthew Faughnan & Stephen Reis - The Simpsons - Film Roman
Louise Smythe - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Mark Ackland - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Marc E. Smith - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Truong "Tron" Son Mai - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Piero Peluso - Planes: Fire & Rescue - Disneytoon Studios
John Hurst - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Rodrigo Castro - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Julian Nariño - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features
Emanuela Cozzi - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Bill Farmer as the voices of Goofy and Grandma - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Carlos Alazaraqui as the voice of Crocker - Fairly Oddparents - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Seth Green as the voice of Robot Chicken Nerd - Robot Chicken - Stoopid Buddy Stoodios
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Cyndi Lauper as the voice of Nurse Cyndi - Henry & Me - Reveal Animation Studios
Andy Garcia as the voice of Eduardo - Rio 2 - Blue Sky Studios
Sir Ben Kingsley as the voice of Archibald Snatcher - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of Fish - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Darrick Bachman - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Dave Tennant, David P. Smith, Chris Mitchell & Will Mata - The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
Rob LaZebnik - The Simpsons - 20th Century Fox
Tim Long - The Simpsons - 20th Century Fox
Steve Purcell - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Will Collins - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
Irena Brignull & Adam Pava - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller - The Lego Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Illya Owens - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Ernesto Matamoros - Dragons: Defenders of Berk - DreamWorks Animation Television
Mike Elias - Family Guy - Super 78
David Suther, Bradley Furnish & David Condolora - Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios
Todd Raleigh & Doug Vito - Turbo FAST - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
Tim Mertens - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
John K. Carr - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
Dan Molina, Mark Keefer & Karen Hathaway - Planes: Fire & Rescue - Disneytoon Studios
Darragh Byrne - Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
David Burrows, Todd Hansen, Doug Nicholas, Jonathan Tappin & Courtney O'Brien-Brown - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
www.annieawards.org
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15 Documentary Films Will Compete for 5 Nominations at 87th Oscars (2015)
15 DOCUMENTARY FEATURES ADVANCE IN 2014 OSCAR RACE
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 87th Oscars®. One hundred thirty-four films were originally submitted in the category.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
The Academy’s Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting. Documentary Branch members will now select the five nominees from among the 15 titles.
The 87th Academy Awards® nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 87th Oscars®. One hundred thirty-four films were originally submitted in the category.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
- "Art and Craft," Purple Parrot Films
- "The Case against 8," Day in Court
- "Citizen Koch," Elsewhere Films
- "CitizenFour," Praxis Films
- "Finding Vivian Maier," Ravine Pictures
- "The Internet’s Own Boy," Luminant Media
- "Jodorowsky’s Dune," City Film
- "Keep On Keepin’ On," Absolute Clay Productions
- "The Kill Team," f/8 filmworks
- "Last Days in Vietnam," Moxie Firecracker Films
- "Life Itself," Kartemquin Films and Film Rites
- "The Overnighters," Mile End Films West
- "The Salt of the Earth," Decia Films
- "Tales of the Grim Sleeper," Lafayette Film
- "Virunga," Grain Media
The Academy’s Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting. Documentary Branch members will now select the five nominees from among the 15 titles.
The 87th Academy Awards® nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of December 1 to 10, 2014 - Update #9
NEWS:
From Variety: The 24th James Bond is named "Spectre" and is due November 6, 2015.
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From YahooMovies: The title and cast of the new James Bond will be announced Thursday, December 4, 2014.
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From Variety: The winner of the Thanksgiving holiday box office was The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 with an estimated gross of $82.7 million haul from Wednesday, November 26, 2014 to Sunday, November 30, 2014.
The film also won the Fri., Nov. 28th to 30th, 2014 weekend box office with an estimated take of $56.9 million.
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From THR: Rupert Murdoch comments about the all-white cast of his company, 20th Century Fox's movie, Exodus: Gods and Kings.
--------------------
From THR: Corey Sligh, an actor on "The Young and the Restless" was hit by a car and beaten on Thanksgiving.
COMIC BOOKS:
From YahooTV: Krysten Ritter gets the lead in Marvel's Netflix series, "Marvel's A.K.A. Jessica Jones."
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From Variety: Benedict Cumberbatch as Marvel's Doctor Strange is official.
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From YahooGames: Synopsis for the "Fantastic Four" reboot.
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From YahooGames: A look at the Vision as he will be in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
STAR WARS:
From IBTimes: Rumors about Episode 7's take on Han and Leia's relationship.
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From TheVerge: Next Episode 7 trailer may appear on "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
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From EntertainmentIE: Could the plot described in this article be the plot for Episode 7.
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From CSN: This whole "there were white stormtroopers only" thing simply reveals that a large percentage of white people in America are straight up racists. If that were true, so what? It's a new day in the Star Wars Universe. Welcome to get over it or get out.
---------------------
From TheAtlantic: Of course, there are black stormtroopers...
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From TheVerge: Actor and nerd, Donald Faison, has been a Black stormtrooper for years.
From TheAtlantic: Race in science fiction - mostly about films.
Friday, December 5, 2014
First Trailer and Poster for "Terminator: Genisys" Debut
Watch the first trailer for TERMINATOR GENISYS: http://youtu.be/62E4FJTwSuc
Terminator Genisys in theaters July 1, 2015
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith, Byung-Hun Lee, JK Simmons
Directed by Alan Taylor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerminatorGenisys
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Terminator
Instagram: http://instagram.com/TerminatorGenisys
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TerminatorGenisys
#HeIsBack
Terminator Genisys in theaters July 1, 2015
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith, Byung-Hun Lee, JK Simmons
Directed by Alan Taylor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerminatorGenisys
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Terminator
Instagram: http://instagram.com/TerminatorGenisys
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TerminatorGenisys
#HeIsBack
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Magic Johnson Invests in "The Marvel Experience"
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Joins Hero Ventures to Support The Marvel Experience
NBA Icon and Legendary Entrepreneur Joins Hero Ventures for Next Generation Touring Entertainment Attraction
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hero Ventures, a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, announced today that Los Angeles Lakers legend and NBA 2-Time Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson joined the team as an investor and Board Member for The Marvel Experience. He joins an accomplished Board that includes, among others, Michael Cohl, Steve Tisch, Stanley Gold, Jere Harris, Maurice Marciano, Basil DeVito of the WWE and Company founders Rick Licht and Doug Schaer.
“Magic Johnson stands for greatness in every way possible. We are thrilled that he is joining The Marvel Experience team. I look forward to working with him again. It's going to be great to take a Step Into Hyper Reality with him on board.”
The Marvel Experience’s massive Dome complex launches January 10, 2015 in Dallas, Texas following a preview beginning next month on December 19th in Phoenix, Arizona. The singular story line running through the Experience will engage guests for two hours or more in an adventure unlike anything ever before produced. This first-of-its-kind premier touring experience features a dynamic 4D motion ride, the world’s only 360-degree Stereoscopic 3D Dome, a wide range of technologically advanced interactive and immersive elements, state-of-the-art projection techniques and dozens of Marvel’s most popular Super Heroes.
Earvin Johnson is not only an accomplished athlete but also a very successful businessman and philanthropist. His vast business achievements include co-ownership of key sports and entertainment properties, Los Angeles Dodgers, LA Sparks and LA Football Club. Johnson brings a wealth of business knowledge and marketing across multiple industries, and charitable experience to Hero Ventures.
“The Marvel Experience is a traveling destination that not only provides unique high quality entertainment for families and fans of all ages but will create jobs in each city that it visits,” said Johnson. “I’m excited to partner with Hero Ventures and bring this affordable entertainment option around the world; specifically to ethnically diverse communities that over-index as followers of the Marvel Super Heroes. Growing up watching the Hulk as my favorite Marvel character, and this opportunity to work with a team of business all-stars, made this partnership an easy decision.”
“We always felt like there was a bit of ‘magic’ in The Marvel Experience, and now it’s official! From unparalleled success on the basketball court to unparalleled success in the business world – Magic Johnson has done it all at the highest level,” said Rick Licht, Hero Ventures CEO. “When you look at our Board and partners that we’ve assembled for The Marvel Experience, there aren’t very many people who can measure up to our team, but Magic is in a class by himself and, just like when he played, he does everything possible to make everyone on our team better.”
Executive Producer Michael Cohl stated: “Magic Johnson stands for greatness in every way possible. We are thrilled that he is joining The Marvel Experience team. I look forward to working with him again. It's going to be great to take a Step Into Hyper Reality with him on board.” Steve Tisch, the first investor in Hero Ventures, added, “I have cheered for Magic the player...and known Magic the executive, Magic the philanthropist, and Magic my friend over the past few decades. No matter what role he is playing, he has continually proven his expertise. We are excited to welcome our own ‘modern day Super Hero’ to our Board to help us build this franchise of the future – The Marvel Experience.”
“Hero Ventures has done a fantastic job in assembling the best and the brightest for this unique experience. Adding Magic, who has a proven track record on and off the court, is a coup in itself and adds even more excitement and credibility to this venture,” said Marvel Studios Senior VP Business Development Benjamin Hung.
The Marvel Experience lands in Phoenix on December 19, 2014 and runs through January 3, 2015, before the Domes move on to Dallas on January 10, 2015 followed by San Diego and San Francisco, with more cities to be announced shortly. Tickets are available both at Ticketmaster.com and at www.themarvelexperiencetour.com/tickets.
ABOUT HERO VENTURES
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hero Ventures, LLC develops and produces live entertainment experiences that delight and surprise consumers through innovative technology. The Company has brought together the best creative and business minds in animation, interactive technology and the live event space to create dynamic, unparalleled productions to share with audiences around the world in unique and unprecedented ways. Governing Board members include Oscar winning film producer and co-owner of the NFL’s New York Giants, Steve Tisch; WWE Senior Business Advisor, Basil V. DeVito, Jr.; Shamrock Holdings CEO, Stanley Gold; Guess Jeans Co-founder Maurice Marciano; Enlight Media’s David B. Miller; Parker Capital's Junfeng Li as well as Hero Ventures’ founders Rick Licht and Doug Schaer and Partners/Executive Producers Michael Cohl of S2BN and Jere Harris of PRG. For more information, visit www.hero-ventures.com.
ABOUT MAGIC JOHNSON ENTERPRISES
Magic Johnson Enterprises, formed in 1987, is owned and operated by retired NBA 2-Time Hall of Fame legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The Enterprises serves as a catalyst for community and economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and urban communities. Through strategic alliances, investments, consulting and endorsements, Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically work together to reinforce the organization’s focus on serving emerging, multicultural communities. For more information, visit www.magicjohnson.com.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2014 MARVEL
-----------------------------
NBA Icon and Legendary Entrepreneur Joins Hero Ventures for Next Generation Touring Entertainment Attraction
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hero Ventures, a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, announced today that Los Angeles Lakers legend and NBA 2-Time Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson joined the team as an investor and Board Member for The Marvel Experience. He joins an accomplished Board that includes, among others, Michael Cohl, Steve Tisch, Stanley Gold, Jere Harris, Maurice Marciano, Basil DeVito of the WWE and Company founders Rick Licht and Doug Schaer.
“Magic Johnson stands for greatness in every way possible. We are thrilled that he is joining The Marvel Experience team. I look forward to working with him again. It's going to be great to take a Step Into Hyper Reality with him on board.”
The Marvel Experience’s massive Dome complex launches January 10, 2015 in Dallas, Texas following a preview beginning next month on December 19th in Phoenix, Arizona. The singular story line running through the Experience will engage guests for two hours or more in an adventure unlike anything ever before produced. This first-of-its-kind premier touring experience features a dynamic 4D motion ride, the world’s only 360-degree Stereoscopic 3D Dome, a wide range of technologically advanced interactive and immersive elements, state-of-the-art projection techniques and dozens of Marvel’s most popular Super Heroes.
Earvin Johnson is not only an accomplished athlete but also a very successful businessman and philanthropist. His vast business achievements include co-ownership of key sports and entertainment properties, Los Angeles Dodgers, LA Sparks and LA Football Club. Johnson brings a wealth of business knowledge and marketing across multiple industries, and charitable experience to Hero Ventures.
“The Marvel Experience is a traveling destination that not only provides unique high quality entertainment for families and fans of all ages but will create jobs in each city that it visits,” said Johnson. “I’m excited to partner with Hero Ventures and bring this affordable entertainment option around the world; specifically to ethnically diverse communities that over-index as followers of the Marvel Super Heroes. Growing up watching the Hulk as my favorite Marvel character, and this opportunity to work with a team of business all-stars, made this partnership an easy decision.”
“We always felt like there was a bit of ‘magic’ in The Marvel Experience, and now it’s official! From unparalleled success on the basketball court to unparalleled success in the business world – Magic Johnson has done it all at the highest level,” said Rick Licht, Hero Ventures CEO. “When you look at our Board and partners that we’ve assembled for The Marvel Experience, there aren’t very many people who can measure up to our team, but Magic is in a class by himself and, just like when he played, he does everything possible to make everyone on our team better.”
Executive Producer Michael Cohl stated: “Magic Johnson stands for greatness in every way possible. We are thrilled that he is joining The Marvel Experience team. I look forward to working with him again. It's going to be great to take a Step Into Hyper Reality with him on board.” Steve Tisch, the first investor in Hero Ventures, added, “I have cheered for Magic the player...and known Magic the executive, Magic the philanthropist, and Magic my friend over the past few decades. No matter what role he is playing, he has continually proven his expertise. We are excited to welcome our own ‘modern day Super Hero’ to our Board to help us build this franchise of the future – The Marvel Experience.”
“Hero Ventures has done a fantastic job in assembling the best and the brightest for this unique experience. Adding Magic, who has a proven track record on and off the court, is a coup in itself and adds even more excitement and credibility to this venture,” said Marvel Studios Senior VP Business Development Benjamin Hung.
The Marvel Experience lands in Phoenix on December 19, 2014 and runs through January 3, 2015, before the Domes move on to Dallas on January 10, 2015 followed by San Diego and San Francisco, with more cities to be announced shortly. Tickets are available both at Ticketmaster.com and at www.themarvelexperiencetour.com/tickets.
ABOUT HERO VENTURES
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hero Ventures, LLC develops and produces live entertainment experiences that delight and surprise consumers through innovative technology. The Company has brought together the best creative and business minds in animation, interactive technology and the live event space to create dynamic, unparalleled productions to share with audiences around the world in unique and unprecedented ways. Governing Board members include Oscar winning film producer and co-owner of the NFL’s New York Giants, Steve Tisch; WWE Senior Business Advisor, Basil V. DeVito, Jr.; Shamrock Holdings CEO, Stanley Gold; Guess Jeans Co-founder Maurice Marciano; Enlight Media’s David B. Miller; Parker Capital's Junfeng Li as well as Hero Ventures’ founders Rick Licht and Doug Schaer and Partners/Executive Producers Michael Cohl of S2BN and Jere Harris of PRG. For more information, visit www.hero-ventures.com.
ABOUT MAGIC JOHNSON ENTERPRISES
Magic Johnson Enterprises, formed in 1987, is owned and operated by retired NBA 2-Time Hall of Fame legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The Enterprises serves as a catalyst for community and economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and urban communities. Through strategic alliances, investments, consulting and endorsements, Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically work together to reinforce the organization’s focus on serving emerging, multicultural communities. For more information, visit www.magicjohnson.com.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2014 MARVEL
-----------------------------
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Will Smith Leads All-Star Cast for "Suicide Squad"
Stars Commit to “Suicide Squad”
Will Smith, Tom Hardy, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto to Head Cast
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one. David Ayer returns to the studio where he wrote ‘Training Day’ and brings his incredible ability to craft multidimensional villains to this iconic DC property with a cast of longtime Warner collaborators Will Smith and Tom Hardy, and other new and returning favorites: Margot, Jared, Jai and Cara. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”
Ayer is also writing the script for “Suicide Squad,” which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.
The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.
-----------------------------
Will Smith, Tom Hardy, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto to Head Cast
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one. David Ayer returns to the studio where he wrote ‘Training Day’ and brings his incredible ability to craft multidimensional villains to this iconic DC property with a cast of longtime Warner collaborators Will Smith and Tom Hardy, and other new and returning favorites: Margot, Jared, Jai and Cara. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”
Ayer is also writing the script for “Suicide Squad,” which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.
The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.
-----------------------------
"Terminator: Genisys" Preview Arriving Thursday, December 4th, 2014
Prepare for tomorrow's world premiere of the Terminator Genisys trailer at TerminatorMovie.com. #HeIsBack
Watch a sneak peek of tomorrow's trailer: http://youtu.be/t_77GeNEzFQ
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith, Byung-Hun Lee, JK Simmons
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Terminator Genisys in theaters July 1, 2015
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerminatorGenisys
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Terminator
Instagram: http://instagram.com/TerminatorGenisys
#HeIsBack
Neon Alley Updates for December 2014
VIZ MEDIA ADDS EXCITING ANIME CONTENT FOR DECEMBER UPDATE TO NEON ALLEY FREE ANIME STREAMING PLATFORM
Catch New SAILOR MOON Dubbed And SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Subtitled Episodes, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Simulcast Premieres, And Latest Updates For BLEACH, NARUTO And RANMA ½
VIZ Media moves into December and prepares to round out the year with its latest digital anime content update for Neon Alley. The free digital streaming platform experienced significant growth and programming expansion in 2014 and is preparing several noteworthy content and series premiere announcements for 2015.
New episodes of widely loved series such as BLEACH, NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, RANMA ½, and SAILOR MOON and SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL figure prominently in December’s programming update. These augment the Thanksgiving debut of the full series of COPPELION (dub) and the world premiere of the first 13 dubbed episodes of NARUTO SPIN-OFF: ROCK LEE AND HIS NINJA PALS.
Catch the exciting digital continuation of SAILOR MOON with the English dubbed premiere of Episodes 37-46, available to stream beginning on December 6th for a limited time on Neon Alley and Hulu. Two new subtitled episodes of SAILOR MOON Season 2 will be added to the current series library every Monday throughout December. SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL fans also will not want to miss brand new episodes of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL throughout December. SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL subtitled Episode 11, “Reunion – Endymion,” premieres on November 6th, followed by Episode 12, “Enemy – Queen Metalia,” on December 20th.
With the latest addition, Neon Alley now features over 30 series, and has a over 1,000 English dubbed episodes and 2,400 subtitled episodes for fans’ viewing pleasure! The 2014 update is augmented by scores of additional episodes from top-rated VIZ Media anime series including:
BLEACH
· Neon Alley adds English dubbed BLEACH Season 18 Episodes 256-267 available to stream beginning on December 1st.
· Viewers can now check out a total of 267 English dubbed episodes, as well as the complete subtitled BLEACH anime (366 episodes).
NARUTO
· For ninja fans, Neon Alley adds dubbed Episodes 66-78 of the original NARUTO anime series, which will all be available beginning on December 3rd.
· With the newest addition, viewers can check out a total of 77 English dubbed episodes as well as the complete subtitled NARUTO anime (all 220 episodes) series!
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
· Don’t miss simulcasts of the latest English subtitled episodes of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN every Thursday in December beginning with a special double premiere of Episodes 389 and 390 on December 11th. Single episode simulcasts of the next 3 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episodes will take place every Thursday for the remainder of the month.
· Also catch the action-packed addition of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN English dubbed Episodes 19-23, bringing the total number of available dubbed episodes of the series to over 100.
RANMA ½
· RANMA ½ fans can enjoy the addition of 2 new dubbed episodes of the classic martial arts comedy each week throughout December beginning with Season 6, Episodes 119-120 on December 5th and every Friday thereafter.
Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. with over 3,200 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 36 series! Neon Alley also reaches an expansive on-demand U.S.-based audience on Hulu, which enables viewers to watch shows anytime, anywhere across devices including Xbox One, PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices. A full list of Hulu -enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.
Additional information on Neon Alley is available at: www.NeonAlley.com.
Catch New SAILOR MOON Dubbed And SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Subtitled Episodes, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Simulcast Premieres, And Latest Updates For BLEACH, NARUTO And RANMA ½
VIZ Media moves into December and prepares to round out the year with its latest digital anime content update for Neon Alley. The free digital streaming platform experienced significant growth and programming expansion in 2014 and is preparing several noteworthy content and series premiere announcements for 2015.
New episodes of widely loved series such as BLEACH, NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, RANMA ½, and SAILOR MOON and SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL figure prominently in December’s programming update. These augment the Thanksgiving debut of the full series of COPPELION (dub) and the world premiere of the first 13 dubbed episodes of NARUTO SPIN-OFF: ROCK LEE AND HIS NINJA PALS.
Catch the exciting digital continuation of SAILOR MOON with the English dubbed premiere of Episodes 37-46, available to stream beginning on December 6th for a limited time on Neon Alley and Hulu. Two new subtitled episodes of SAILOR MOON Season 2 will be added to the current series library every Monday throughout December. SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL fans also will not want to miss brand new episodes of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL throughout December. SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL subtitled Episode 11, “Reunion – Endymion,” premieres on November 6th, followed by Episode 12, “Enemy – Queen Metalia,” on December 20th.
With the latest addition, Neon Alley now features over 30 series, and has a over 1,000 English dubbed episodes and 2,400 subtitled episodes for fans’ viewing pleasure! The 2014 update is augmented by scores of additional episodes from top-rated VIZ Media anime series including:
BLEACH
· Neon Alley adds English dubbed BLEACH Season 18 Episodes 256-267 available to stream beginning on December 1st.
· Viewers can now check out a total of 267 English dubbed episodes, as well as the complete subtitled BLEACH anime (366 episodes).
NARUTO
· For ninja fans, Neon Alley adds dubbed Episodes 66-78 of the original NARUTO anime series, which will all be available beginning on December 3rd.
· With the newest addition, viewers can check out a total of 77 English dubbed episodes as well as the complete subtitled NARUTO anime (all 220 episodes) series!
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
· Don’t miss simulcasts of the latest English subtitled episodes of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN every Thursday in December beginning with a special double premiere of Episodes 389 and 390 on December 11th. Single episode simulcasts of the next 3 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episodes will take place every Thursday for the remainder of the month.
· Also catch the action-packed addition of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN English dubbed Episodes 19-23, bringing the total number of available dubbed episodes of the series to over 100.
RANMA ½
· RANMA ½ fans can enjoy the addition of 2 new dubbed episodes of the classic martial arts comedy each week throughout December beginning with Season 6, Episodes 119-120 on December 5th and every Friday thereafter.
Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. with over 3,200 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 36 series! Neon Alley also reaches an expansive on-demand U.S.-based audience on Hulu, which enables viewers to watch shows anytime, anywhere across devices including Xbox One, PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices. A full list of Hulu -enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.
Additional information on Neon Alley is available at: www.NeonAlley.com.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Gotham Awards Choose "Birdman" as Best Picture of 2014; Michael Keaton Named "Best Actor"
Honoring independent films, the Gotham Awards are the first major awards of the film awards season. This year, the 2014 edition kicks off the 2014-15 season. The Gotham Awards ceremony was held on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Cipriani Wall Street.
The 2014/24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Award winners are:
Best Feature
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, director; Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Best Documentary
CITIZENFOUR
Laura Poitras, director; Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky, producers (RADiUS, Participant Media, and HBO Documentary Films)
Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award
Ana Lily Amirpour for A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Kino Lorber)
Best Actor*
Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
* The 2014 Best Actor nominating panel also voted to award a special Gotham Jury Award jointly to Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum for their ensemble performance in Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics).
Best Actress
Julianne Moore in Still Alice (Sony Pictures Classics)
Breakthrough Actor
Tessa Thompson in Dear White People (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions)
Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ Grant:
For the fourth consecutive year, IFP is proud present the euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ grant, a $25,000 cash award for an alumna of IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs. This grant aims to further the careers of emerging women directors by supporting the completion, distribution and audience engagement strategies of their first feature film.
WINNER: Chloé Zhao, director, Songs My Brothers Taught Me
The nominees are:
Garrett Bradley, director, Below Dreams
Claire Carré, director, Embers
Gotham Independent Film Audience Award: Boyhood
New this year, IFP members had a voice in determining the 5th Annual Gotham Independent Film Audience Award with nominees comprised of the 15 nominated films in the Best Feature, Best Documentary, and Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award categories. All IFP current, active members at the Individual Level and above will be eligible to vote. Voting took place online from November 19th at 12:01 AM EST and concluded on November 26th at 5:00 PM EST. The winner of the Audience Award was announced at the Gotham Awards Ceremony on December 1, 2014.
----------------------------------
The 2014/24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Award winners are:
Best Feature
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, director; Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Best Documentary
CITIZENFOUR
Laura Poitras, director; Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky, producers (RADiUS, Participant Media, and HBO Documentary Films)
Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award
Ana Lily Amirpour for A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Kino Lorber)
Best Actor*
Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
* The 2014 Best Actor nominating panel also voted to award a special Gotham Jury Award jointly to Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum for their ensemble performance in Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics).
Best Actress
Julianne Moore in Still Alice (Sony Pictures Classics)
Breakthrough Actor
Tessa Thompson in Dear White People (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions)
Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ Grant:
For the fourth consecutive year, IFP is proud present the euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ grant, a $25,000 cash award for an alumna of IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs. This grant aims to further the careers of emerging women directors by supporting the completion, distribution and audience engagement strategies of their first feature film.
WINNER: Chloé Zhao, director, Songs My Brothers Taught Me
The nominees are:
Garrett Bradley, director, Below Dreams
Claire Carré, director, Embers
Gotham Independent Film Audience Award: Boyhood
New this year, IFP members had a voice in determining the 5th Annual Gotham Independent Film Audience Award with nominees comprised of the 15 nominated films in the Best Feature, Best Documentary, and Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award categories. All IFP current, active members at the Individual Level and above will be eligible to vote. Voting took place online from November 19th at 12:01 AM EST and concluded on November 26th at 5:00 PM EST. The winner of the Audience Award was announced at the Gotham Awards Ceremony on December 1, 2014.
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Monday, December 1, 2014
New York Film Critics Cricle Chooses "Boyhood" as Best Picture of 2014
Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.” Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films. The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2015 to honor 2014 winners.
The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover. The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.
2014 NYFCC Awards:
Best Picture: Boyhood
Best Director: Richard Linklater – Boyhood
Best Screenplay: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Actress: Marion Cotillard - “The Immigrant,” and also “Two Days, One Night”
Best Actor: Timothy Spall - Mr. Turner
Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette – Boyhood
Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons – Whiplash
Best Cinematographer: Darius Khondji - The Immigrant
Best Animated Film: The LEGO Movie
Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary): Citizenfour
Best Foreign Film: Ida (Poland)
Best First Film: Jennifer Kent - The Babadook
Special Award: Adrienne Mancia
The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover. The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.
2014 NYFCC Awards:
Best Picture: Boyhood
Best Director: Richard Linklater – Boyhood
Best Screenplay: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Actress: Marion Cotillard - “The Immigrant,” and also “Two Days, One Night”
Best Actor: Timothy Spall - Mr. Turner
Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette – Boyhood
Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons – Whiplash
Best Cinematographer: Darius Khondji - The Immigrant
Best Animated Film: The LEGO Movie
Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary): Citizenfour
Best Foreign Film: Ida (Poland)
Best First Film: Jennifer Kent - The Babadook
Special Award: Adrienne Mancia
Merry Negromancer December 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
134 Documentary Films Vie for 15 Spots on 87th Academy Awards Shortlist
134 Documentary Features Submitted For 2014 Oscar® Race
One hundred thirty-four features have been submitted for consideration in the Documentary Feature category for the 87th Academy Awards®.
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
“Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq”
“Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case”
“Algorithms”
“Alive Inside”
“All You Need Is Love”
“Altina”
“America: Imagine the World without Her”
“American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs”
“Anita”
“Antarctica: A Year on Ice”
“Art and Craft”
“Awake: The Life of Yogananda”
“The Barefoot Artist”
“The Battered Bastards of Baseball”
“Before You Know It”
“Bitter Honey”
“Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity”
“Botso The Teacher from Tbilisi”
“Captivated The Trials of Pamela Smart”
“The Case against 8”
“Cesar’s Last Fast”
“Citizen Koch”
“CitizenFour”
“Code Black”
“Concerning Violence”
“The Culture High”
“Cyber-Seniors”
“DamNation”
“Dancing in Jaffa”
“Death Metal Angola”
“The Decent One”
“Dinosaur 13”
“Do You Know What My Name Is?”
“Documented”
“The Dog”
“E-Team”
“Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me”
“Elena”
“Evolution of a Criminal”
“Fed Up”
“Finding Fela”
“Finding Vivian Maier”
“Food Chains”
“The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden”
“Getting to the Nutcracker”
“Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me”
“Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia”
“The Great Flood”
“The Great Invisible”
“The Green Prince”
“The Hacker Wars”
“The Hadza: Last of the First”
“Hanna Ranch”
“Happy Valley”
“The Hornet’s Nest”
“I Am Ali”
“If You Build It”
“The Immortalists”
“The Internet’s Own Boy”
“Ivory Tower”
“James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge”
“Jodorowsky’s Dune”
“Journey of a Female Comic”
“Keep On Keepin’ On”
“Kids for Cash”
“The Kill Team”
“Korengal”
“La Bare”
“Last Days in Vietnam”
“Last Hijack”
“The Last Patrol”
“Levitated Mass”
“Life Itself”
“Little White Lie”
“Llyn Foulkes One Man Band”
“Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles”
“Manakamana”
“Merchants of Doubt”
“Mission Blue”
“Mistaken for Strangers”
“Mitt”
“Monk with a Camera”
“Nas: Time Is Illmatic”
“National Gallery”
“Next Goal Wins”
“Next Year Jerusalem”
“Night Will Fall”
“No Cameras Allowed”
“Now: In the Wings on a World Stage”
“Occupy the Farm”
“The Only Real Game”
“The Overnighters”
“Particle Fever”
“Pay 2 Play: Democracy’s High Stakes”
“Pelican Dreams”
“The Pleasures of Being Out of Step”
“Plot for Peace”
“Point and Shoot”
“Poverty Inc.”
“Print the Legend”
“Private Violence”
“Pump”
“Rabindranath Tagore – The Poet of Eternity”
“Red Army”
“Remote Area Medical”
“Rich Hill”
“The Rule”
“The Salt of the Earth”
“Shadows from My Past”
“She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry”
“A Small Section of the World”
“Smiling through the Apocalypse – Esquire in the 60s”
“Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon”
“The Supreme Price”
“Tales of the Grim Sleeper”
“Tanzania: A Journey Within”
“This Is Not a Ball”
“Thomas Keating: A Rising Tide of Silence”
“Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People”
“True Son”
“20,000 Days on Earth”
“Unclaimed”
“Under the Electric Sky”
“Underwater Dreams”
“Virunga”
“Waiting for August”
“Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago”
“Warsaw Uprising”
“Watchers of the Sky”
“Watermark”
“We Are the Giant”
“We Could Be King”
“Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger”
“A World Not Ours”
Several of the films have not yet had their required Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and comply with all of the category’s other qualifying rules in order to advance in the voting process. A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.
Films submitted in the Documentary Feature category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
------------------------
One hundred thirty-four features have been submitted for consideration in the Documentary Feature category for the 87th Academy Awards®.
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
“Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq”
“Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case”
“Algorithms”
“Alive Inside”
“All You Need Is Love”
“Altina”
“America: Imagine the World without Her”
“American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs”
“Anita”
“Antarctica: A Year on Ice”
“Art and Craft”
“Awake: The Life of Yogananda”
“The Barefoot Artist”
“The Battered Bastards of Baseball”
“Before You Know It”
“Bitter Honey”
“Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity”
“Botso The Teacher from Tbilisi”
“Captivated The Trials of Pamela Smart”
“The Case against 8”
“Cesar’s Last Fast”
“Citizen Koch”
“CitizenFour”
“Code Black”
“Concerning Violence”
“The Culture High”
“Cyber-Seniors”
“DamNation”
“Dancing in Jaffa”
“Death Metal Angola”
“The Decent One”
“Dinosaur 13”
“Do You Know What My Name Is?”
“Documented”
“The Dog”
“E-Team”
“Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me”
“Elena”
“Evolution of a Criminal”
“Fed Up”
“Finding Fela”
“Finding Vivian Maier”
“Food Chains”
“The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden”
“Getting to the Nutcracker”
“Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me”
“Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia”
“The Great Flood”
“The Great Invisible”
“The Green Prince”
“The Hacker Wars”
“The Hadza: Last of the First”
“Hanna Ranch”
“Happy Valley”
“The Hornet’s Nest”
“I Am Ali”
“If You Build It”
“The Immortalists”
“The Internet’s Own Boy”
“Ivory Tower”
“James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge”
“Jodorowsky’s Dune”
“Journey of a Female Comic”
“Keep On Keepin’ On”
“Kids for Cash”
“The Kill Team”
“Korengal”
“La Bare”
“Last Days in Vietnam”
“Last Hijack”
“The Last Patrol”
“Levitated Mass”
“Life Itself”
“Little White Lie”
“Llyn Foulkes One Man Band”
“Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles”
“Manakamana”
“Merchants of Doubt”
“Mission Blue”
“Mistaken for Strangers”
“Mitt”
“Monk with a Camera”
“Nas: Time Is Illmatic”
“National Gallery”
“Next Goal Wins”
“Next Year Jerusalem”
“Night Will Fall”
“No Cameras Allowed”
“Now: In the Wings on a World Stage”
“Occupy the Farm”
“The Only Real Game”
“The Overnighters”
“Particle Fever”
“Pay 2 Play: Democracy’s High Stakes”
“Pelican Dreams”
“The Pleasures of Being Out of Step”
“Plot for Peace”
“Point and Shoot”
“Poverty Inc.”
“Print the Legend”
“Private Violence”
“Pump”
“Rabindranath Tagore – The Poet of Eternity”
“Red Army”
“Remote Area Medical”
“Rich Hill”
“The Rule”
“The Salt of the Earth”
“Shadows from My Past”
“She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry”
“A Small Section of the World”
“Smiling through the Apocalypse – Esquire in the 60s”
“Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon”
“The Supreme Price”
“Tales of the Grim Sleeper”
“Tanzania: A Journey Within”
“This Is Not a Ball”
“Thomas Keating: A Rising Tide of Silence”
“Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People”
“True Son”
“20,000 Days on Earth”
“Unclaimed”
“Under the Electric Sky”
“Underwater Dreams”
“Virunga”
“Waiting for August”
“Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago”
“Warsaw Uprising”
“Watchers of the Sky”
“Watermark”
“We Are the Giant”
“We Could Be King”
“Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger”
“A World Not Ours”
Several of the films have not yet had their required Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and comply with all of the category’s other qualifying rules in order to advance in the voting process. A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.
Films submitted in the Documentary Feature category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
------------------------
Negromancer's Fave Poli-Reads - November 2014 Edition - Update #17
From YahooNews: Republican bitch gets out of hand with President Obama's daughters about something that is really not important at all.
From RollingStone: The 15 worst owners in sports.
From RollingStone: Rape... at a college founded by a slave owner that raped his female slaves... No way...
From the GuardianUK: Angela Davis on Mike Brown.
From the GuardianUK: You've got to be kidding me. Masai homeland to be turned into hunting ground for Dubai royalty... Off with their heads.
From FirstLook: Glenn Greenwald's sarcastic piece about the people most excited about a Hilary Clinton presidency.
From Politico: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) on why the Republicans want to impeach President Obama.
From TIME: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says that American politicians are a bigger threat to democracy than ISIS. Yes.
From Vocativ: Be a cop in Oakley Michigan for $1200.
From RSN: How to scrap the two-party system...
From BBCNews: J. Edgar Hoover used Nazis as Cold War spies. Why am I not surprised.
From TheDailyBeast: Jonathan Alter, one of my favorite writers about politics and society, talks about what the day after the Republican takeover of Congress will be like.
From Newsweek: When Google met Wikileaks.
From WashingtonPost: Senator Mark Warner's middle of the road fantasy almost cost him his seat on Tuesday, November 4, 2014
From YahooNews: President Obama not mopey about 2014 midterms.
From TheWashingtonPost: Rachel Maddow on the GOP banking on fear.
From RawStory: North Carolina voting machines acting kinda shady. I have been hearing similar stories for years.
From ThinkProgress: A secretive voter purge in 27 states, largely unknown and aimed at suspected members of minorities.
From Truthout: The origins, history, and more about GamerGate.
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of November 23 to 30, 2014 - Update #11
NEWS:
From Billboard: She has an Oscar, and Jennifer Lawrence may very well have a Top 40 hit on the Billboard charts by next week. It's "The Hanging Tree" from the album featuring James Newton Howard's score for Mockingjay Part 1.
From Playlist: 5 Things to Know about Beetlejuice on its 25th anniversary.
------------------
From Variety: Amy Berg, Nate Parker, and Matthew Cooke crowd fund for Ferguson-related doc.
-------------------
From THR: Universal releases "Jurassic World" teaser trailer.
--------------------
From Variety: The #1 movie at the box office for the weekend of Friday, November 21st to 23rd, 2014 is The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 with an estimated take of $123 million, the biggest weekend opening of the year, thus far.
STAR WARS:
From YahooMovies: John Boyega answers haters of the "Black stormtrooper."
-------------------
From YahooTV: Apparently, Andy Serkis is the narrator or provides the voice over for the Episode 7 teaser.
-----------------
From TechCrunch and iTunes: The first trailer for "The Force Awakens."
-----------------
Star Wars News Dump:
YahooMovies: Joe Johnston, a special effect pioneer, is selling some of his Star Wars items.
YahooMovies: JJ Abrams teases Star Wars teaser.
YahooMovies: A list of theaters showing the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer.
From io9: Rumors about first Star Wars spin-off film.
----------------------
From FlickeringMyth: "Star Wars The Force Awakens" trailer will premiere Friday, November 28, 2017...
-------------------
From EntertainmentIE: A possible two-second clip from the first Episode 7 trailer.
TRAILERS:
From 20th Century Fox, new trailer for Unfinished Business.
The Killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson - November 2014 Edition - Update #26
From AddictingInfo: Bob McCulloch connected to organization that did fundraising for Darren Wilson. Special prosecutor, bee-yuch.
From RSN: Benjamin Watson is angry. Join the crowd.
From YahooNews: No severance package for Darren Wilson... or so Ferguson's mayor says.
From YahooNews: Darren Wilson resigns.
From ThinkProgress: Compare Justice Scalia's writings on what a grand jury is supposed to do.
From HuffingtonPost: McCulloch manipulated grand jury process to shield a killer police officer.
From Variety: Oscar-nominee Amy Berg, actor Nate Parker, and writer/director Matthew Cooke launch an Indiegogo campaign for their film, "Black Male Crisis," in wake of Ferguson non-indictment.
From Esquire: Charles Pierce mocks Darren Wilson's ridiculous story as given to the ridiculous George Clinton-connection-oulos interview on FOX News lite... err ABC.
From YahooTV: Garth Brooks cancels promotional appearances for his new album as distasteful while Mike Brown protests are occuring.
From ABCNews: Celebs react to injustice of no indictment.
From TheVox: Why Killer Darren's story is unbelievable.
From TheVox: Why President Obama can't give the Ferguson speech his supporters want.
From YahooNews: George Stephanopoulos interviews Darren Wilson.
From InTheseTimes: A short history of killer cops.
From RSN: No indictment.
From YouTube: Reporter Larry Everest confronts Missouri Governor Jay Nixon at Ferguson press conference.
From StLouisDisptach: Darren Wilson married his girlfriend. His wedding gift to her was the carcass of a "buck" he killed just a few months ago.
From FirstLook: A complete guide to the shooting of Mike Brown.
From YahooNews: Mike Brown's killer does not expect to be charged with killing Mike Brown, according to the St. Louis Police Officer's Association.
From RSN: Pre-emptive state of emergency means that the grand jury decision is rigged, indeed.
From RSN: Read Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's declaration of a state of emergency.
From the DailyBeast: Dread in America, following Ferguson.
From Esquire: They're right: What is going on in Ferguson is not going to end well.
From YahooNews: The Associated Press answers questions about the Ferguson grand jury on the Michael Brown killing.
From YahooNews: Reportedly, Officer Shooter... err... I mean Wilson could return to the Ferguson police department if he is not indicted. Sounds like a winner!
From YahooNews: Where're the injuries, Officer Wilson? Video footage of Darren Wilson in the hours after his killed Michael Brown are released under state open records laws.
From the AP via RSN: Ferguson no-fly zone was aimed at media.
From YahooNews: Missouri governor, Jay Nixon, prepared for war, but not to prosecute a murdering cop.
From the GuardianUK: Ferguson police ready for war. Gonna kill us some more Niggers!
From RSN: 18-year-old Black male (what else) shot from behind by St. Louis (where else) cop.
From the WashingtonPost: There will likely be no federal charges against Darren Wilson, the man who killed Mike Brown. They're too busy bringing charges against anti-war and environmental activists.
From YahooNews: Attorney General Holder: Ferguson police need "wholesale" change. D'uh, General Holder, d'uh
-------------------------------------------------
THE BASICS:
From TheIntercept via RSN: Klan jury... I mean grand jury in Mike Brown's shooting began Wednesday, August 20th, 2014.
Michael Brown, 18, was shot to death, reportedly by police officer Darren Wilson, on Saturday, August 9th, 2014 at approximately 2:15 pm on Canfield Drive in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson is a small city in St. Louis County. The shooting of the unarmed Brown sparked a furious backlash and days of protests, some violent and involving looting. What follows is a list of links to news articles about the shooting and related matters:
From the StLouisPostDispatch: An early article about the Michael Brown shooting
From the LosAngelesTimes: This is the earliest (or oldest) article that I could find about the Michael Brown shooting.
From HuffingtonPost: Another early article about the local African-American community's reaction to the shooting of Brown
From PrisonCulture: A searing image of Michael Brown's father
From the WashingtonPost via RSN: More of Darren Wilson's history and background emerges; it seems that he was previously associated with another police department that had a bad relationship with the local black folks.
From Al Jazeera via RSN: Darren Wilson: Judge, jury, and executioner.
From YahooNews via CSM and the AP: Shooter a.k.a. Darren Wilson tells his "side" of the story about how he shot an unarmed black man to death.
Updated Shooting Timeline: The AP via YahooNews.
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