Review: "John Wick" Still Burns

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 10 (of 2017) by Leroy Douresseaux

John Wick (2014)
Running time:  101 minutes (1 hour, 41 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong and bloody violence throughout, language and brief drug use
DIRECTORS:  Chad Stahelski and David Leitch
WRITER:  Derek Kolstad
PRODUCERS:  Basil Iwanyk, David Leitch, Eva Longoria, and Michael Witherill
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jonathan Sela
EDITOR:  Elisabet Ronalds
COMPOSERS:  Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard

ACTION/CRIME/THRILLER

Starring:  Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe, Dean Winters, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, Bridget Regan, Clarke Peters, Randall Duk Kim, Kevin Nash, David Patrick Kelly, and Lance Reddick

John Wick is a 2014 action and crime-thriller starring Keanu Reeves.  It is directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch (although only Stahelski is credited on screen as director).  The film tells the story of an ex-hit man who comes out of retirement to kill the man who viciously wronged him.

Once upon a time, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) was a legendary hit man, a seemingly unstoppable killer.  He was the boogeyman who killed the boogeyman.  Not long after his wife, Helen (Bridget Moynahan), dies of a terminal illness, John receives a puppy that she had bought John to help him cope with her death.  He grows to love the puppy, which he names “Daisy.”

At a gas station, a young gangster named Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) sees John and Daisy in John's vintage 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1.  Later, Iosef and two of his henchman break into John's home, beats him unconscious, and kills Daisy, before stealing the Mach 1.  Now, John Wick the boogeyman is back, determined to kill Iosef.  The problem is that the young hood is the son of Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist), the head of the Russian crime syndicate in New York City, a syndicate that John Wick himself helped the elder Tarasov establish.

I have been a fan of Keanu Reeves since I first encountered him the 1980s in film like Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and River's Edge (1986), although I am not a fan of his popular 80s film, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989).  I have never thought of Reeves as a great or even good actor; he is either way too stiff or too wooden as a performer.  Still, I enjoyed him in films like the original Point Break (1991) and in The Matrix films.  Reeves' star has dimmed in recent years, and he has said that he no longer gets offered the kind of projects an A-list white male actor would.

When I first saw a television commercial for John Wick, I knew that I would like the film.  However, I never got around to seeing it until early last year when I caught it on one of the premium cable movie channels.  I could not believe how good I thought it was (and I still can't).  Because of the release of the sequel (John Wick: Chapter 2), I decided to watch the first film again.

John Wick is simply a flashy, visually cool shoot-em-up movie with some good set pieces from the hit man movie wheelhouse.  This film, however, works because of Keanu Reeves.  I honestly believe that very few other actors could have made this movie memorable.  Without Keanu, John Wick would have probably ended being straight-to-DVD or VOD (video-on-demand).

If you like Keanu Reeves, you will want to see this, and you will probably want to see it a second time.  It's the magic of Keanu Reeves.  What more can I say?  That magic must have worked on a lot of movie fans because Jack Wick did get a sequel.

6 of 10
B

Sunday, March 12, 2017


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Walt Disney's Cable Networks Head to D23 2017 with Big News and Stars

Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior Announce Star-Filled Events for Fans at Disney’s D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim, July 14-16, 2017

Stars Join Not-to-be-Missed DuckTales Q&A Session

Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin is Real—on the D23 Expo Show Floor!

Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Eden Espinosa, and Jeremy Jordan Unravel the Tales of Tangled: The Series

Special Appearance by the Stars of Descendants 2

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior will present one-of-a-kind experiences for kids and families during D23 Expo 2017, the ultimate Disney fan event, taking place FRIDAY, JULY 14–SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

The lineup includes star-studded Q&A panels featuring the talented voice casts of Disney XD’s highly anticipated DuckTales series and Disney Channel’s Tangled: The Series, plus a special appearance by the stars and director of the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants 2. Disney Channel and Disney XD cast members from Stuck in the Middle, Bizaardvark, K.C. Undercover, Walk the Prank, and MECH-X4 will greet fans at the D23 Expo’s Talent Central throughout the weekend.

The one-and-only Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin, located on the show floor, will provide the priceless opportunity for fans to dive into more than 30,000 plastic gold coins and “swim” away with a professional 180-degree video capture to share with friends. The new DuckTales series premieres this summer on Disney XD, in the 30th anniversary year of the Emmy® Award-winning original series treasured by a generation.

On FRIDAY, JULY 14, Descendants 2 stars Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson and Booboo Stewart, along with Kenny Ortega, the Emmy Award-winning director, executive producer, and choreographer, will make a special appearance.

On SATURDAY, JULY 15, Disney XD’s DuckTales stars Ben Schwartz (the voice of Dewey), Kate Micucci (Webby Vanderquack), Beck Bennett (Launchpad McQuack), and Toks Olagundoye (Mrs. Beakley) will join executive producer Matt Youngberg and co-producer/story editor Francisco Angones for a Q&A panel taking place from 4:15– 5:15 p.m. on Stage 28.

On SUNDAY, JULY 16, fans are invited to join the stars and creative team of Disney Channel’s Tangled: The Series for a Q&A panel as they share some of the magic behind bringing the series to life. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, who reprise their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (AKA Flynn Rider) from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ acclaimed feature film, will be joined by executive producer Chris Sonnenburg, co-executive producer Ben Balistreri, and Broadway stars Eden Espinosa (Cassandra) and Jeremy Jordan (Varian). The panel will take place from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Stage 28.

Fans of Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins are invited to visit McStuffins Toy Hospital Nursery, which will be on the Expo show floor during the entire three-day event. Young visitors can give the toy babies a checkup, as well as be among the first to play the new Doc McStuffins Baby app, set to launch this summer. The McStuffins Toy Hospital Nursery is part of Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit, a traveling museum exhibit designed to model “care and compassion” for kids ages 2-7 via immersive activities that reinforce the importance of health and well-being.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.


About Disney Channels Worldwide
Disney Channels Worldwide is a portfolio of kid-driven, family-inclusive entertainment channels and/or channel feeds available in 162 countries/territories in 34 languages, spanning Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama, and Radio Disney brands. Through cable, satellite, and digital terrestrial television channels and a strategic partnership with Disney Media Distribution for the third-party distribution of Disney-branded kids’ programming across the globe, Disney Channels Worldwide reaches hundreds of millions of viewers. Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new markets across the world, playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand to new consumers.

About D23 Expo 2017
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which will take place July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2017 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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Complete Cast for Bad Robot's "Overlord" Announced

“OVERLORD” CASTING ANNOUNCED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND BAD ROBOT

Movie Begins Production in the U.K. this May

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot jointly announced the complete cast for OVERLORD, from Director Julius Avery (SON OF A GUN).

Joining the previously announced casting of Jovan Adepo and Wyatt Russell, the film will also star Jacob Anderson (GAME OF THRONES), Dominic Applewhite (THE KING’S SPEECH), Pilou Asbaek (GAME OF THRONES), Iain de Caestecker (Marvel's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.), John Magaro (THE BIG SHORT), Mathilde Ollivier (THE MISFORTUNES OF FRANCOIS JANE), and Bokeem Woodbine (FARGO).

The Bad Robot production is produced by J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber, and written by Billy Ray (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS) and Mark L. Smith (THE REVENANT).

On the eve of D-Day, a group of American paratroopers are dropped behind enemy lines to carry out a mission crucial to the invasion’s success.  But as they approach their target, they begin to realize there is more going on in this Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation.

The film will begin shooting this May in the U.K.

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Val Kilmer, Wil Wheaton Among Guests at Salt Lake Comic Con 2017

Great Scott! Salt Lake Comic Con Announces First Round of Celebrity, Best-Selling Author and Comic Creator Guests for Fifth Annual Event

SLCC17 announces over 33 new guests, including Hall of Fame and Magic: The Gathering artists, best-selling authors, and stars from Guardians of the Galaxy, Back to the Future, Boy Meets World, Firefly, Doctor Who, Batman Forever, Star Trek, Smallville, Psych and The Walking Dead

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salt Lake Comic Con (http://saltlakecomiccon.com/) created a new mix tape of greatest hits with an announcement of celebrity, artist and author guests for the fifth annual Salt Lake Comic Con to be held September 21-23, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

2017 celebrity guest announcements include:

•     Val Kilmer is a prolific actor and has starred in some of the biggest pop culture movies since the 1980s, including Batman Forever, Top Gun, Tombstone, The Saint, Real Genius, The Doors, Heat, The Ghost and the Darkness and Willow.
•     Catherine Tate is best known for her work on Doctor Who, where she became the 10th Doctor’s companion. She also appeared in the U.S. version of The Office.
•     Wil Wheaton played Gordie Lachance in Stand By Me and Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also plays a fictitious version of himself on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory and hosts the TableTop game show on YouTube.
•     John Barrowman is an actor, singer and dancer. He appeared in Doctor Who and Torchwood as Captain Jack Harkness, and had recurring roles in both The Arrow and The Flash. He’s also performed in a number of Broadway plays, including Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard.
•     Sean Gunn played Kraglin in Guardians of the Galaxy and Kirk Gleason in Gilmore Girls. He’s currently filming Avengers: Infinity War.
•     Michael Rooker is making his second visit to Salt Lake Comic Con. He played Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy and Merle in The Walking Dead series, as well as numerous roles in movies like Days of Thunder, Cliffhanger and Tombstone.
•     Christopher Lloyd is a returning Salt Lake Comic Con guest best known for his role as Doc Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy. He is a two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner for his role in the TV series Taxi and most recently was in the TV series Granite Flats that was filmed in Utah.
•     Tom Wilson is best known for his role as Biff Tannen in the Back To The Future Trilogy. He’s also an accomplished stand-up comedian, musician, voice over actor and podcaster. Since 2011, Wilson has hosted his own popular podcast called Big Pop Fun on the Nerdist Network.
•     Jewel Staite played Kaylee Frye in Fox’s Firefly and Serenity. She also starred as Dr. Jennifer Keller in Stargate Atlantis alongside con alumni Jason Momoa and most recently appeared in NBC’s hit series the Blindspot.
•     Michael Rosenbaum is an actor, producer and comedian. He played Lex Luthor in Smallville, earning a spot on TV Guide’s 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time. He’s also done voice work for The Flash in the DC animated series.
•     Corbin Bernsen most recently played retired police detective Henry Spencer on Psych. He’s also starred in Major League, Major League II and Major League: Back to the Minors, as well as the TV series LA Law.
•     Will Friedle is an actor, voice actor and comedian best known for his role in Disney’s Boy Meets World, and for his voice roles of animated characters in Batman Beyond, Deadpool, Ultimate Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy.

“Salt Lake Comic Con 2017 is our fifth annual event and we’re going to pull out all the stops to make this special anniversary one that will never be forgotten,” said Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer. “The celebrities we announced today are amazing guests that our fans will love and this is only the tip of the iceberg for what I know is going to be our best comic con yet.”

In addition to celebrity attendees, Salt Lake Comic Con also announced the first round of best-selling authors, comic creators and artists. Author attendees include Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, EK Johnston and Timothy Zahn.

The initial artists list features Bryan Pulido, JP Roth, Don McTeigue, Joe Rubenstein, Pop Mhan, Mike Zeck, Eric Ballasuda and Camilla d’Errico.

One of the new attractions for Salt Lake Comic Con 2017, Magic: The Gathering Pavilion, will feature a number of artist participants, including Steve Argyle, Ryan Yee, Mark Tedin, Mark Poole, Jeff Miracola, Jason Engle and Howard Lyon, who have created stunning art for this multi-billion dollar franchise. Magic: The Gathering is a trading card game. Each game represents a battle between wizards known as "planeswalkers," who employ spells, artifacts and creatures depicted on individual Magic cards to defeat their opponents.

In addition to the Magic: the Gathering Pavilion, Salt Lake Comic Con 2017 has added a number of new features for 2017, including Worldbuilders Party with best-selling author Patrick Rothfuss, and the Pop Life Entertainment Pavilion. Worldbuilders works to unite the geek community into a massive force to fund education, opportunity, and sustainable self-sufficiency for families and communities worldwide. At Salt Lake Comic Con 2017, fans can join creators from across fantasy and science fiction for an afternoon of gaming and partying to benefit Worldbuilders.

In 2016, Salt Lake Comic Con and Pop Life Entertainment announced a global partnership. Since partnering Salt Lake Comic Con has expanded its presence into Greater China and Southeast Asia. Pop Life Entertainment will have a pavilion, and will be showcasing its popular pop culture art and merchandise.

The 2017 convention is the fifth annual Salt Lake Comic Con event. In just five events, Salt Lake Comic Con has established itself as Utah’s most attended convention and a premier destination for celebrities, artists, comic book creators and authors of all genres.

“Salt Lake Comic Con is about the fans,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Salt Lake Comic Con Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “We take their input seriously, and then innovate to create new and exciting features and activities that differentiate us from other cons around the country, while delivering what our fans really want and demand. For the fifth anniversary of Salt Lake Comic Con we are certain this will be our most memorable event to date. It will capture the attention of the comic con fans and industry around the country and the world, and elevate us into yet another stratosphere of fandom and pop culture nirvana.”

For more information about Salt Lake Comic Con 2017 or to purchase tickets now, visit http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/.


ABOUT SALT LAKE COMIC CON:
Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions, in partnership with ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group, and was co-founded by Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg. DFP is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena. DFP is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Find out more at: www.SaltLakeComicCon.com, www.abc4.com/.

For tickets
http://saltlakecomiccon.com/tickets/

Guest list
http://saltlakecomiccon.com/guests/

Salt Lake Comic Con newsletter
https://goo.gl/KF0o34

Comic Con FAQ
http://saltlakecomiccon.com/faq/

Hotel and Travel
http://saltlakecomiccon.com/hotel/

Salt Lake Comic Con Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/saltlakecomiccon/

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 14th to 20th, 2017 - Update #28

Support Leroy on Patreon.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Enes Kanter plays for the NBA's Oklahoma Thunder, and is originally from Turkey.  He has been outspoken and critical about current Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.  Now, Kanter has had his Turkish passport cancelled.

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BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "Alien: Covenant" looks to be the winner at the weekend box office.

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MOVIES - From ScreenDaily:  Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about "Terminator" and a sequel to "Twins."

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CULTURE - From YahooTV:  A British author celebrates his small penis in his book, "The Small Penis Bible," which is available on iTunes.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  Tom Hardy will play Eddie Brock/Venom in Sony's film based on the Marvel Comics Spider-Man adversary.

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MUSIC - From YahooMusic:  A judge rules that Prince's six siblings are his heirs.

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TELEVISION - From TVLine:  Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of a prequel TV series to Jim Henson's classic 1982 film, "The Dark Crystal."

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STAR TREK - From YahooTV:  CBS revealed its new series for Fall 2017, including the first new footage from "Star Trek: Discovery."

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STAR TREK - From TheWrap:  CBS has expanded the first season of "Star Trek: Discovery" from 13 episodes to 15.  There will also be an after-show, "Talking Trek."

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OBIT - From YahooNews:  FOX News founder, Roger Ailes, has died at the age of 77, Thursday, May 18, 2017.

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OBIT - From YahooMusic:  Rock musician Chris Cornell has died at the age of 52, Wednesday, May 17, 2017.  Cornell was best known as the co-founder of the influential 1990s rock band, Soundgarden, as well as for his association with Temple of the Dog and Audioslave.

From YahooMusic:  Musicians such as Jimmy Page, Nile Rogers, and Dave Navarro react to Chris Cornell's passing.

From TheWrap:  Apparently, Chris Cornell committed suicide by hanging.

From YahooCelebrity:  Chris Cornell battled depression and drugs.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  Robert Zemeckis is in the lead to direct Warner Bros.' "The Flash."

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Michael Moore and Harvey Weinstein reunite for a Donald Trump documentary.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  ABC won out over Netflix to land the revival/reboot of the classic 1980s-90s sitcom, "Rosanne."  Several original cast members are returning including Rosanne Barr and John Goodman.

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OBIT - From YahooMovies:  Former Paramount Pictures chief, Brad Grey, has died at the age of 59, Sunday, May 14, 2017.  Grey was also a talent manager and formed the award-winning production company, Plan B, with Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  George R.R. Martin, who wrote the book series that inspired the Emmy-winning TV series, "Game of Thrones," gives new info about HBO's spinoff plans for the series.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:   Paramount Network (which is what Spike will be rebranded into come January 2018) names its first scripted series, "Yellowstone," starring Kevin Costner.

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POLITICS - From YahooTV:  If you want to believe that ABC cancelled "Last Man Standing" because its star, Tim Allen, is an outspoken conservative, good one on you.  It is not like ABC did not know this about Allen before they even picked up the show in the beginning.

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OBIT - From THR:  The actor Powers Boothe has died at the age of 68, Sunday, May 14, 2017.  Boothe won an Emmy in 1980 for portraying cult leader Jim Jones in the CBS miniseries, "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones."  In recent years, he was known for appearing in HBO's "Deadwood" and ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

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CRIME - From YahooNews:  In Baton Rouge, La., high school quarterback Bryant Lee was shot and killed three days before his graduation.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 5/12 to 5/14/2017 Mother's Day weekend box office is "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" with an estimated take of $63 million.

From YahooMovies:  "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" had an even worse box office opening ($14.7 million) than expected ($25 million).

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OBITS - From YahooSports:  Former Major League Baseball umpire Steve Palermo has died at the age of 67, Sunday, May 14, 2017.  Palermo was known as a hero umpire because in 1991 he assisted two waitresses who were being mugged and was shot in the back.  Initially expected not to survive or to walk again if he did live, Palermo survived and was able to walk with a cane.  He worked with umpires, although he never worked again as an on-field official.

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TELEVISION - From YahooTV:  Melissa McCarthy still killin' it as White House Spokesman Sean Spicer on "Saturday Night Live," as she did on Sat., May 13th, 2017.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  Final trailer for "War for the Planet of the Apes."

From YouTube:  Official trailer for "The Orville," from Fox. It is Seth MacFarlane's spoof of "Star Trek."

BET Announces 2017 "BET Awards" Nominations

BET Networks Announces Official Nominees for the 2017 “BET Awards”

Beyoncé Tops with Seven Nominations While Bruno Mars Takes Five, Followed by Chance the Rapper, Solange and Migos with Four a Piece

“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 25 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles at 8 P.M. ET

@BETAWARDS #BETAWARDS

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ:VIA.B), today announced the nominations for the 2017 "BET Awards" taking place at Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 25, 2017. This year’s broadcast marks 17 years of unexpected performances, trailblazing moments, super dope talent, and entertainment’s most provocative players. The iconic show continues to be a cultural rule breaker steeped in reinvention with some of the most memorable moments in Award show history.

In 2016, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar surprised guests with a groundbreaking performance of “Freedom,” Sheila E. and Mayte Garcia performed during the Prince Lifetime Achievement Award tribute and Jesse Williams brought the audience to their feet with his dynamic and ever-viral Humanitarian Award acceptance speech. The “BET Awards” has set the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking broadcasts.

Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Kendrick Lamar for “Freedom,” ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for Lemonade. Bruno Mars follows with five nods including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ and ‘Video of the Year’ for “24K Magic.” Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.’ Chance the Rapper and Migos receive four nominations as well, Chance the Rapper nominated for ‘Best Male Hip-Hop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and Migos for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their #1 hit “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert.

BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across over 19 categories with the 2017 "BET Awards" nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.

The complete list of nominees for the 2017 "BET Awards" are:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
BEYONCÉ
KEHLANI
MARY J. BLIGE
RIHANNA
SOLANGE

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BRUNO MARS
CHRIS BROWN
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER

Best Group
2 CHAINZ & LIL WAYNE
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
FAT JOE & REMY MA
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD

Best Collaboration
BEYONCÉ FT. KENDRICK LAMAR - FREEDOM
CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. 2 CHAINZ & LIL WAYNE - NO PROBLEM
CHRIS BROWN FT. GUCCI MANE & USHER - PARTY
DJ KHALED FT. BEYONCÉ & JAY Z - SHINING
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
RAE SREMMURD FT. GUCCI MANE - BLACK BEATLES

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
BIG SEAN
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DRAKE
FUTURE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
CARDI B
MISSY ELLIOTT
NICKI MINAJ
REMY MA
YOUNG M.A.

Video of the Year
BEYONCÉ - SORRY
BIG SEAN - BOUNCE BACK
BRUNO MARS - 24K MAGIC
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY

Video Director of the Year
BENNY BOOM – KEHLANI “CRZY”
BRUNO MARS & JONATHAN LIA – BRUNO MARS “THAT’S WHAT I LIKE”
DIRECTOR X – ZAYN MALIK “LIKE I WOULD”
HYPE WILLIAMS – TYGA “GUCCI SNAKES FT. DESIIGNER”
KAHLIL JOSEPH & BEYONCÉ KNOWLES-CARTER – BEYONCÉ “SORRY”

Best New Artist
21 SAVAGE
CARDI B
CHANCE THE RAPPER
KHALID
YOUNG M.A.

Album of the Year
24K MAGIC - BRUNO MARS
4 YOUR EYEZ ONLY - J. COLE
A SEAT AT THE TABLE - SOLANGE
COLORING BOOK - CHANCE THE RAPPER
LEMONADE - BEYONCÉ

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CECE WINANS – NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE
FANTASIA FT. TYE TRIBBETT – I MADE IT
KIRK FRANKLIN FT. SARAH REEVES, TASHA COBBS & TAMELA MANN – MY WORLD NEEDS YOU
LECRAE – CAN’T STOP ME NOW (DESTINATION)
TAMELA MANN – GOD PROVIDES

Best Actress
GABRIELLE UNION
ISSA RAE
JANELLE MONÁE
TARAJI P. HENSON
VIOLA DAVIS

Best Actor
BRYSHERE Y. GRAY
DENZEL WASHINGTON
DONALD GLOVER
MAHERSHALA ALI
OMARI HARDWICK

YoungStars Award
ACE HUNTER
CALEB MCLAUGHLIN
JADEN SMITH
MARSAI MARTIN
YARA SHAHIDI

Best Movie
FENCES
GET OUT
HIDDEN FIGURES
MOONLIGHT
THE BIRTH OF A NATION

Sportswoman of the Year Award
GABBY DOUGLAS
SERENA WILLIAMS
SIMONE BILES
SKYLAR DIGGINS
VENUS WILLIAMS

Sportsman of the Year Award
CAM NEWTON
LEBRON JAMES
ODELL BECKHAM JR.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
STEPHEN CURRY

Centric Award
FANTASIA - SLEEPING WITH THE ONE I LOVE
KEHLANI - DISTRACTION
MARY J. BLIGE - THICK OF IT
SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY
SYD - ALL ABOUT ME
YUNA - CRUSH FT. USHER

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
BEYONCÉ - SORRY
BRUNO MARS - 24K MAGIC
DRAKE - FAKE LOVE
MIGOS FT. LIL UZI VERT - BAD AND BOUJEE
RAE SREMMURD FT. GUCCI MANE - BLACK BEATLES
THE WEEKND FT. DAFT PUNK – STARBOY

Best International Act: Europe
BOOBA (France)
MHD (France)
CRAIG DAVID (UK)
EMELI SANDÉ (UK)
GIGGS (UK)
SKEPTA (UK)
STORMZY (UK)
WILEY (UK)

Best International Act: Africa
AKA (South Africa)
BABES WODUMO (South Africa)
DAVIDO (Nigeria)
NASTY C (South Africa)
STONEBWOY (Ghana)
TEKNO (Nigeria)
WIZKID (Nigeria)
MR EAZI (Nigeria)

The 2017 “BET Awards” will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in the UK on Tuesday, June 27th at 9:00pm BST, in Africa on Tuesday, June 27th at 8:00pm CAT, and in France on Wednesday, June 28th at 9:00pm CEST. Fan voting for the "Best International Act: Europe" and "Best International Act: Africa" categories opens today and will close on May 26. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the 2017 “BET Awards” live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application. The iOS and Android app, which also features current and classic BET television series, documentaries, standup comedy and legendary musical performances, will carry a live feed of the red carpet and the Awards, and is available for download now in the iTunes and Google Play stores for $3.99 a month following a seven-day free trial.

The “BET Awards” will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles from June 22-25, 2017. BET.com/betawards is the official site for the “BET Awards” and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. VIP Packages for the 5th year of the BET Experience weekend are better than ever and now on-sale. In addition to VIP amenities throughout the weekend and incredible seats for STAPLES Center shows, three levels of BETX VIP Packages offer guests the only opportunity to purchase tickets to the highly-anticipated BET Awards, broadcast live from Microsoft Theater. Last year the in-demand VIP Packages sold out, so guests are encouraged to purchase now before the allotment is depleted. Full package amenities and pricing for the Diamond, Platinum and Gold VIP Packages can be found by visiting BETExperience.com or by calling (877) 234-8425.

General tickets for the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® are on sale now at http://www.axs.com/betexperience.

Download the BETX '17 app powered by AT&T, the #1 source for everything BETX, including real-time event updates, full schedules, BET Fan Fest wristbands, daily prizes, ticket giveaways, live streams and much more.

Follow the BET Experience on Twitter @betexperience for the latest and greatest and join the hottest conversation by using #BETX. Feel free to also check us out online at http://www.betexperience.com.


ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ: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 African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.

BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA®
BET Networks, an entertainment powerhouse, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company and developer/operator of L.A. LIVE, have teamed up once again to create the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 22 - 25, 2017 presented by Coca-Cola®. This four-day festival will be filled with music concerts taking place at The Novo by Microsoft and STAPLES Center; BET Fan Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center including seminars, celebrity basketball games, celebrity meet & greets; and other special appearances. The weekend will be capped off with the “BET Awards” on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Microsoft Theater.

ABOUT AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran and multi-Image Award® winner Jesse Collins. Collins has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Most recently Collins was the executive producer of the critically-acclaimed film, The New Edition Story, a biopic on the boy band that aired as a 3-part mini-series on BET in January 2017 and posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. Collins has also produced award-winning programming including the BET Awards, BET Honors, UNCF’s An Evening of Stars, ABFF Honors, Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards, is a consulting producer for the iconic GRAMMY Awards and executive producer of BET’s hit TV series, Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart and VH1 shows Dear Mama and Hip Hop Squares with Ice Cube. Will Smith, Beyoncé, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince and Mariah Carey are a few of the myriad of superstar talent that Collins has worked with through the years. Follow Jesse Collins Entertainment @JesseCollinsEnt on Twitter and Instagram and go to http://www.jessecollinsent.com/ for more information on the company.

Follow on @BETAWARDS

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National Geographic Announces "Hell on Earth" for June11th

National Geographic Announces Airdate for Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS from Academy Award Nominee Sebastian Junger and Emmy Winner Nick Quested

“Packs a powerful punch of humanity…” — Variety

“Check your political, religious and ethnic leanings at the door. HELL ON EARTH will shift your perspective on the Syrian conflict.” — “Veronica Wake,” retired CIA officer and U.S. Army veteran

Junger and Quested Offer an Intimate Portrait of the Syrian Civil War and Refugee Crisis

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Premieres June 11, 2017 at 9/8c

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, National Geographic Documentary Films announced today the world television premiere of Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS, a new feature documentary from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and best-selling author Sebastian Junger and his Emmy-winning filmmaking partner, Nick Quested.

Premiering globally on National Geographic in 171 countries and 45 languages starting Sunday, June 11, 2017, at 9/8c, Hell on Earth chronicles Syria’s descent into the unbridled chaos that allowed the rise of the Islamic State, better known as ISIS, in Iraq and Syria. Pulling from nearly 1,000 hours of stunningly visceral footage, Junger and Quested, who previously collaborated on a trio of films about war (“Restrepo,” “The Last Patrol” and “Korengal”), capture the Syrian war’s harrowing carnage, political and social consequences and, most importantly, its human toll, while painting an alarming picture of the west’s role in the creation of ISIS.

“Sebastian and Nick acquired extraordinary access to all sides of this incredibly complex crisis,” said Tim Pastore, president of original programming and production for National Geographic. “The footage speaks for itself, offering a rarely seen look inside civil war from every angle.”

“This is a difficult film to watch,” admits Quested. “I want to challenge people to sit through it. This is what’s happening. It’s a window into the suffering of millions of people and the reasoning behind it. I want to challenge viewers not to look away, in exchange for gaining a greater understanding about the world.”

Through exclusive interviews with activists, journalists, diplomats, human rights workers, politicians and ordinary citizens, as well as historical archival footage, Hell on Earth captures a unique portrait of life in war-torn Syria, from that of a family living under ISIS control that finally fled to Turkey, to Kurdish fighters in Sinjar and Shia militias in Iraq and even to al-Qaida-affiliated fighters in and around Aleppo and Raqqa. Junger and Quested meticulously identify the forces that led to the deadly conflict in Syria and facilitated the rise of the radical Islamists who are now organizing and inspiring terrorist operations around the world.

The film recently had its world premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, followed by screenings at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto. Following a limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, May 19, Hell on Earth (trailer download) will air globally on National Geographic in 171 countries and 45 languages starting Sunday, June 11, at 9/8c. For more information, visit: natgeotvpressroom.com.

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS is produced by Goldcrest Films in association with National Geographic Documentary Films. Producers for Goldcrest Films are Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested. For National Geographic, the executive producer is Matt Renner and Tim Pastore is president of original programming and production.


About Sebastian Junger:
Sebastian Junger is the New York Times No. 1 best-selling author of “The Perfect Storm,” “Fire,” “A Death in Belmont,” “War” and “Tribe.” As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film, “Restrepo,” a feature-length documentary co-directed with Tim Hetherington, was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.

About Nick Quested:
Nick Quested is executive director and owner of Goldcrest Films, where he has built one of the world’s premiere documentary brands and won two Emmys for his work. Quested has produced over 35 films, including Sebastian Junger’s “The Last Patrol,” “Korengal,” the PGA- and two-time Emmy-nominated “Which Way Is the Front Line From Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington” and the Oscar®-nominated “Restrepo.” Quested is also an award-winning music video director who has worked with such artists as Dr. Dre, Nas, Puffy, Sting, Master P, Cash Money and Trick Daddy.

About National Geographic Documentary Films:
National Geographic Documentary Films is committed to bringing the world premium, feature documentaries that cover timely, provocative and globally relevant stories from the very best documentary filmmakers in the world. National Geographic Documentary Films is a division of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 129 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 171 countries and 45 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

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