Thursday, December 31, 2015

Review: "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" is Strange and Beautiful

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 50 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

[A version of this review originally appeared on Patreon.]

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)
Running time: 123 minutes (2 hours, 3 minutes)
MPAA – R for brief violence, language and a disturbing situation
DIRECTOR: Spike Lee
WRITERS: Spike Lee and Bill Gunn
PRODUCERS: Spike Lee and Chiz Schultz
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Daniel Patterson
EDITOR: Randy Wilkins
COMPOSERS: Bruce Hornsby

FANTASY with elements of drama and romance

Starring:  Stephen Tyrone Williams, Zaraah Abrahams, Rami Malek, Elvis Nolasco, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Joie Lee, Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, Katherine Borowitz, Donna Dixon, Cinqué Lee, Jeni Perillo, Chiz Schultz, and Naté Bova

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is a 2014 African-American vampire drama and romance from director Spike Lee.  Lee financed the film using the crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter.  A number of fellow filmmakers and celebrities gave money to Lee's crowdfunding campaign, and each of their contributions was large enough ($10,000, I think) to earn a film credit as an “associate producer.”  Some these associate producers include Oscar-winning director, Steven Soderbergh; owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban; NBA star, Joakim Noah; and CNN's Soledad O'Brien, among others.  The film was released to select theaters and VOD (video-on-demand) by Gravitas Ventures.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is an unofficial remake and homage to Bill Gunn's 1973 film, Ganja and Hess.  Lee's film focuses on a wealthy anthropologist who becomes a vampire after being stabbed to death with an ancient African dagger.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus introduces Dr. Hess Greene (Stephen Tyrone Williams), a wealthy, young African-American anthropologist.  A collector of African art and artifacts, Hess has recently acquired a mysterious dagger originating in the ancient Ashanti Empire.  Hess shares his find with Lafayette Hightower (Elvis Nolasco), a colleague from the Museum of the Republic of Brooklyn.

After a brutal confrontation, Hess discovers that his body is invulnerable to physical harm, and that he also has an insatiable need for blood.  However, the manner in which he must satisfy his thirst is complicated and messy.  When Hightower's estranged wife, Ganja (Zaraah Abrahams), comes looking for her husband, Hess believes that he has found someone with whom to share his new life.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is a strange, melancholy film with wild shifts in mood.  One might even call it bipolar.  Even when one considers the oddities that are sprinkled throughout Spike Lee's filmography (Bamboozled and She Hate Me – to name a few), Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is the oddest.  Still, I found this movie quite watchable, in a weird way; it was as if I could not stop following this film's nonsensical narrative.  I think watching Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is like being ensnared by the alluring gaze of a vampire.

Lee sometimes has a problem unifying the messages and themes he presents in his films in a way that forms a coherent whole.  Lee has described this film as being about humans that are addicted to love and as being a new kind of love story.  Da Sweet Blood of Jesus offers themes of addiction, of HIV/AIDS, and of violence against women.  At one point in the film, Hess tells Ganja that people can be addicted to anything.  However, Hess' vampirism seems like a metaphor for addiction to crack, and his violence acts of women spread his affliction as if were spreading HIV/AIDS.

On the other hand, maybe Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is mostly Lee's tribute to the late Bill Gunn and his film, Ganja and Hess.  I have not seen that movie (and don't plan to), but Lee reportedly reproduces certain sections of the 1973 film shot-for-shot in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.  If this is true, it would be fitting.  The misunderstood Spike Lee toasting another, perhaps misunderstood filmmaker.

Whatever the case, this unconventional, stubborn, obtuse movie impressed me.  I am always looking for a fresh take on vampires, and this detached, but gruesome, not-quite-a-fantasy film is bloody refreshing.  Also, fans of Lee's film, Red Hook Summer, will find that it is connected to Da Sweet Blood of Jesus via the Lil’ Peace of Heaven Church.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus has a lovely piano score by Bruce Hornsby and an invigorating and imaginative soundtrack featuring songs mostly performed by recording artists who are unsigned to major record labels or by music corporations.  One can enjoy this film's opening credit sequence in which dancer, Charles “Lil Buck” Riley, dances to the opening strains of Hornsby's lovely score.  The use of music in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is indeed sweet.

7 of 10
B+

Wednesday, October 21, 2015


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


"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" - A Negromancer Link-O-Rama - Update #243

Posted by Leroy Doureseaux - on Patreon.

[I will shut down this post on Thursday, December 31, 2015.  I will open a new post, "Star Wars: Rogue One," on Friday, January 1, 2016, but I will continue to post about The Force Awakens as necessary.  Thank you all for visiting - Leroy]

From Negromancer:  My "The Force Awakens" review.

From YahooNews:  Lucas ain't feeling "The Force Awakens."

From Polygon:  The story behind the baton-wielding stormtrooper that yelled "Traitor" at Finn.

From YahooTech:  5 intriguing ideas cut from the film.

From YahooTV:  More speculation of Rey.  Is she Han and Leia's daughter?

From BluRayCom:  Blu-ray release on April 5, 2015?

From ScreenRant:  Dissecting the meanings of Kylo Ren's name.

From YahooMovies:  Ranking the Star Wars movies.

From Variety:  21 reasons TFA deserves every dollar.

From Variety:   Smashes Christmas Day box office record.

From Variety:  Vatican newspaper gets its hate-on.

From ScreenRant:  The return of Anakin?

From Vox:  Reboot the prequels?

From YahooTech:  There are critics who do not like "The Force Awakens."

From CinemaBlend:  Captain Phasma will get more screen time in Ep. 8.

From Polygon:  J.J. says the script for Episode VIII is so good...

From BGR:  Will Han Solo come back in some form?

From YahooTech:  Who are Rey's parents... and grandparents?

From YahooMovies:  The "Associated Press Entertainer of the Year" is "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

From VillageVoice:  "The Force Awakens" inspires right-bloggers.

From YahooMovies:  The Ultimate Force Awakens FAQ, and it is quite good.

From YahooTV:  Carries Fisher to Daisy Ridley - don't go through the crew...

From HitFix:  Carrie's infamous "Good Morning America" interview.

From YahooMovies:  Ewan McGregor has a cameo.

From BusinessInsider:  Harrison Ford made a mint for returning for "The Force Awakens" and will make more.

From YahooNews:  Is "The Phantom Menace" more ambitious than "The Force Awakens."

From BusinessInsider:  Theories about Rey's parents.

From YahooNews:  J.J. says that Alec Guinness is in TFA.

From TheWrap:  Without China, TFA falls short of breaking global and foreign box office records set by Jurassic Park earlier this year.

From BoxOfficeMojo:  "The Force Awakens" has the largest single day opening, $120 million, including the $57 million from Thursday night showing.  The film has also set other box office records.

From HollywoodLife:  5 biggest spoilers in the film. (SPOILERS)

From Variety:  $72.7 at international box office.

From YahooMovies:  Daniel Craig's has a cameo as a member of the First Order. (SPOILERS)

From YahooMovies: Record setting opening night on Thursday.

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From VillageVoice:  Amy Nicholson calls TFA the third good Star Wars film.

From TheVox:  A not exactly glowing review by Todd VanDerWerff.

From THR:  Todd McCarthy reviews the film WITH spoilers.

From NYT:  Manohla Dargis reviews for The New York Times.

From TheVerge:  A spoiler free review by Bryan Bishop.
 
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From YahooMovies:  Star Wars: The Force Awakens - the second teaser/trailer.

From YouTube:  Star Wars: The Force Awakens - the first teaser/trailer.

From Instagram:  A 15-second clip from the film that is a straight tease.

From TheVerge:  The new trailer is here.

From SlashFilm:  Eeeek!  Japanese trailer has new footage.

From Deadline:  Chinese trailers with lots of new footage and dialogue!

From TechCrunch:  There is a new TV spot... with new footage!!!

From YouTube: TV Spot #1
From YouTube:  TV Spot #2
From YouTube:  TV Spot #3
From TheVerge:  TV Spot #4
From YouTube:  TV Spot #5
From YouTube:  TV Spot #6
From YouTube: TV Spot #7
From YouTube:  TV Spot #8
From YouTube: TV Spot #9
From Facebook:  "All the Way" TV spot (#10).
From YouTube:  TV Spot #11
From YouTube: TV Spot #12
From YouTube: TV Spot #13
From YouTube: TV Spot #14
From YouTube: TV Spot #15 - Oscar Isaac introduces the clip in Spanish.
From YouTube: TV Spot #16
From YouTube: TV Spot #17
From YouTube: TV Spot #18
From YouTube: TV Spot #19
From YouTube: TV Spot #20
From YouTube: TV Spot #21

From YouTube:  "In 5 days" spot.

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From YouTube:  The long version of the Chewbacca BB-8 Verizon commercial:  "A better network as explained by Star Wars.

From YouTube:  C-P30 and R2-D2 meet BB-8 in commercial for "Priority."

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From YahooNews:  Angry fans who want the return of the Expanded Universe (Star Wars Legends) threaten to spoil the film if they don't get their way.

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From YahooNews:  Katie Couric talks to John Boyeag.

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From YahooMovies:  The Rey toy reveal freak-out.

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From Vulture:  Harrison Ford snuck into a preview.

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From YahooMovies:  Actors replay their expressions from watching the movie.

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From IMDb:  Actors describe their characters in "The Force Awakens."

From YahooNews:  Lupita Nyong'o talks a little about Maz Kanata.

From THR:  J.J. suggests Ava DuVernay for future Star Wars film.

From Deadline:  Spielberg thought it should be J.J. Abrams.

From YahooMovies:  Beastie Boys and "Lost" influence the name of new Star Wars character.

From YahooMovies:  Robert Downey, Jr. mentors John Boyega.

From YahooMovies:  Kylo Ren is a mess and other press junket reveals.

From YahooMovies:  Abrams talks about the best way to watch the movie.

From Deadline:  New character posters featuring Finn and Poe Dameron.

From CinemaBlend:  Lucas has seen "The Force Awakens."

From YahooTV:  Who is Supreme Leader Snoke?

From RollingStone:  The magazine's in-depth feature on Star Wars.

From HitFix:  Speculation on Vader's helmet.

From Mashable:  Harrison Ford saw the film and likes it.

From YahooTV:  J.J. talks to Howard Stern.

From HitFix:  "The Force Awakens" soundtrack listing.

From YahooNews:  The new planets are revealed.

From Variety:  It's official: PG-13 for "sci-fi action violence."

From Variety:  Win tickets to the Los Angeles or London premiere.

From Variety:   More commentary from Lucas.

From CheatSheet:  A essay about Lucas' "displeasure" at being left out of the making of Episode 7.

From YahooMovies:  Why do people care what this bitch said?

From Deadline:  John Boyega trying to manage expectations.

From CBS:  The network's morning news airs part of an interview Charlie Rose conducted with George Lucas.  The rest of the interview will air in December in conjunction with the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, which Lucas is receiving.

From CinemaBlend:  Meet the "Starkiller Base."

From YahooNews:  More about Lupita Nyong'o's character "Maz Kanata."

From YahooGames:  Don't call her princess.

From YahooGames:  Stills to be published in Entertainment Weekly reveal a few things.

From YahooNews:  Still more EW stills.

From FlickeringMyth:  Supreme Leader Snoke?

From CinemaBlend:  What is Daisey Ridley going to do on opening day?

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From Hitfix:  Daniel Fleetwood died just days after getting a special screening of "The Force Awakens."

From TheVerge:  Dying fan sees unedited version of "The Force Awakens."
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From SideshowCollectibles:  Cause you want to see it again.  Plus 10 moments worth experiencing again.

From SideshowCollectibles:  See the new posters.

From FlickeringMyth: Will Yoda return?

From TheCheatSheet:  More speculation on why Luke was left out of second trailer.

From FlickeringMyth: No more trailers, says J.J.

From CinemaBlend:  The Luke Skywalker/Kylo Ren theory.

From YahooNews:  Stormtroopers mass at Great Wall of China.

From CinemaBlend:  10 things Cinema Blend noticed about the new trailer.

From Hitfix:  See Daisy Ridley's reaction to the latest trailer.

From CinemaBlend:  Boyega flips over latest trailer.

From TheWrap:  Crashing results from being trying to buy tickets online.

From SheKnows:  Sad Star Wars boycott.  It is put on by people who certainly will see the film.

From Forbes:  The new "Star Wars" is not for you, fanboy.

From Variety:  New (and final) poster revealed; tickets on sale Monday; trailer during Monday Night Football (Oct. 19th).

From YahooFinance:  Netflix is negotiating to get the rights to "The Force Awakens."

From CinemaBlend:  136 minutes long; that's the rumor about TFA's run time.

From YahooMovies:  New Star Wars characters accidentally unveiled.

From YahooNews:  Rumor about Michael B. Jordan and Boba Fett solo movie.

From YahooMovies:  John Boyega brushes past the haters.

From THR:  "The Force Awakens" gets a date for its world premiere, December 14, 2015 - in Los Angeles, CA.

From YahooNews:  Full trailer / final trailer due this month?  Oct. 19th?

From Cinelinx:  Lots of speculation about Finn.

From ScreenRant:  New rumors: Skywalkers and Finn.

From YahooNews: Admiral Ackbar will be in "The Force Awakens."

From BleedingCool:  More Hayden Christensen rumors.

From YahooNews:   Rumors about Max Von Sydow's character in "The Force Awakens."

From THR:  Script made Boyega cry.

From YahooNews:  Hayden Christensen rumors about Episode 8.

From YahooNews: Disney might release the original theatrical cuts of the original Star Wars trilogy.

From YahooMovies:  Star Wars film artifacts on auction.

From IGNAsia:   Mark Hamill in Ireland to film Episode VIII?

From ScreenRant:  A character guide with the website's own evaluations and speculations.

From ScreenRant:  Trading cards may release more tidbits, especially about Rey.

From CinemaBlend:  Rumor is that there will be a post-credit scene on "The Force Awakens."

From Comicvine:  How Marvel Comics' "Shattered Empire" comic book connects to "The Force Awakens."

From Forbes:  What is more important? That "The Force Awakens" be a big hit or be really good?

From TheGuardian:  Anthony Daniels on secrecy and playing C-3PO.

From iDigitalTimes:  Finn and Rey revealed?

From YahooMovies:  33 of the coolest new Star Wars items.

From YahooMovies:  A first  look at "The Force Awakens" toys.

From YahooTech: Meet the high-tech BB-8 from Sphero.

From Collider:  A new villains international poster.

From YahooMovies:  An article about the 15-seconds of heavenly tease.

From YahooGames:  Kylo Ren is not a Sith!

From YahooMovies:  Toy leak reveals Zuvio.

From YahooMakers:  Young girl bullied for being a girl who likes Star Wars gets a special Stormtrooper suit.

From CheatSheet:  They think they have good news about Han Solo solo film.

From HitFix:  "The Force Awakens" heroes make cover of "Empire" magazine.

From Collider:  "The Force Awakens" villains make cover of "Empire" magazine.

From CinemaBlend:  Maz Kanata may stay under wraps until release of film.

From FlickeringMyth:  Early concept art for Maz Kanata, the motion-capture character played by Lupita Nyong'o.

From YahooMovies:   Oscar Isaac was a Lando fan.

From YahooMovies:  John Boyega and the rest of the cast had lots of fun on the set.

From IndieRevolver:  Concept art for the "Knights of Ren," that may also have been early designs for Kylo Ren.

From IndieRevolver:  The first real good look at Luke Skywalker as will possibly be in "The Force Awakens.

From Collider:  Abrams on Captain Phasma.

From FlickeringMyth:  D23 interview with Abrams and cast.

From Collider:  Initial cut of "The Force Awakens" is 124 minutes long (2 hours, 4 minutes).

From Variety:  Cast photo from "Rogue One."

From HitFix:  D23 exclusive Star Wars poster reveals something about Finn.

From AccessHollywood:  New Star Wars details revealed at D23.

From EW:  Entertainment Weekly goes whole hog on coverage of "The Force Awakens."

From YahooMovies:  Some info on some character names from "The Force Awakens."

From YahooBeauty:  CoverGirl launching "Star Wars" makeup line.

From YahooMovies:  "Anakin" as a baby name.

From Toybox: Micro Machines returning for "The Force Awakens."

From EpochTimes:  Rumors about the relationship between the villians.

From YahooMovies:  Mark Hamill gives the best autographs.

From YahooMovies:  No midi-chlorians.

From ScreenRant:  SPOILER:  In "Rogue One," Felicity Jones' character might be Boba Fett's daughter.

From EntertainmentWeekly:  J.J. Abrams apparently broke his back trying to help Harrison on the set of "The Force Awakens."

From Cinelinx:  Rumors of a Star Wars/Netflix deal on a live-action series or more than one abound.

From IBTimes: Tie-Fighter upgrades?

From YahooMovies:  Michael Jackson wanted to be Jar Jar Banks.

From Variety:  Benecio Del Toro for "Star Wars Episode 8."

From TheVerge:  Leaked excerpt of the book, Star Wars: Aftermath, which is set immediately after the events of Return of the Jedi.

From FlickeringMyth:  John Boyega shares image of Finn and Chewbacca in action together.

From TechCrunch:  All in on this Rancor cosplay.

From YahooMovies:  Amy Schumer does the metal bikini.

From ScreenRant:  Han Solo back story revealed in The Force Awakens?

From CinemaBlend:  Production Darren Gilford talks about the lengths to which J.J. Abrams went to connect his film to the original trilogy.

From Fortune:  A short article on Star Wars sequels, spinoffs and re-releases.

From YahooMovies:  Video of Princess Leia's return and more in the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" behind-the-scenes video from ET.  You must watch this..

From THR:  Comic-Con 2015 panel footage raises questions.

From YahooMovies:  Some advice Harrison Ford gave to Daisy Ridley.

From YahooMovies:  Watch entire San Diego Comic-Con 2015 "Star Wars" panel.

From YahooMovies:  Return of Harrison Ford...

From YahooFinance:  Star Wars Comic-Con panel video offers surprises.

From Collider:  Colin Trevorrow is rumored to be the choice to direct Star Wars IX.  Trevorrow directed the box office smash, Jurassic World.

From Variety:  May the donuts be with you.

From YahooMovies:  Debut of new TIE fighter that is supposed to be huge.

From SunTimes:  Darth Vader to make an appearance in "Rogue One."

From YahooMovies:  Who and what from The Force Awakens will be at 2015 Comic-Con International.

From THR via YahooMovies:  The LEGO Movie team of Chris Miller and Phil Lord are reportedly directing a Han Solo standalone Star Wars film.

From CinemaBlend:  Donnie Yen for Episode 8.

From CinemaBlend:  Marvel Comics ' "Star Wars: Shattered Empire" fills in some of the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

From ScreenRant:  Rey Solo... maybe or maybe not.

From CinemaBlend:  Ewan McGregor down to come back.

From CinemaBlend:  A new look Stormtrooper.

From MakingStarWars:  Alan Dean Foster talks (a little) about writing novelization of The Force Awakens.

From MakingStarWars:  Concept art for Han Solo, Poe, and Finn.

From CinemaBlend:  Ken Leung is reportedly a cast member in "The Force Awakens."

From HitFix:  177 days until...

From IBT:  Greg Grunberg's role revealed.

From CinemaBlend:  Keeping The Force Awaken screenplay secret.

From Examiner:  J.J. Abrams friend, actor, and The Force Awakens actors says the film is awesome.

From Hitfix:  179 days until... a look at "Star Wars Rebels" and a hint at a future duel between Darth Vader and Ben Kenobi.

From SlashFilm:  Forest Whitaker for "Rogue One."

From FlickeringMyth:  The week in Star Wars, ending June 20th, 2015.

From FlickeringMyth:  New clip from the first episode of "Star Wars Rebels" Season 2.

From TechnoBuffalo:  Leaked photos reveal the return of old friends.

From FlickeringMyth:  Two new photos from The Force Awakens... maybe.

From Deadline via YahooTV:  John Boyega has signed with talent agency WME.

From FlickeringMyth:  A possible first look at Princess Leia in The Force Awakens.

From IBT: Who is Captain Phasma - some spoiler filled (maybe) answers.

From GuardianUK:  A legend died recently, Christopher Lee.  IMDb lists well over 200 TV and film credits for him, and two of those were in Star Wars films (as Dooku).

From EW:  Star Wars toy peeks.

From FlickeringMyth:  Daisy Ridley hints at parentage of Rey

From Toybox:  Possible first look at new Stormtrooper action figure.

From CinemaBlend:  Billie Lourd, the daughter of Carrie Fisher, says that she does not play Princess Leia's daughter in The Force Awakens.

From ThePlaylist:  Han shot first - at least according to an early draft of the Star Wars script.

From ScreenRant:  C-3PO with a red arm?

From SideshowCollectibles:  Everything you need to know about The Force Awakens from the "Hot Toys" people.

From YahooGames:  The "Original Trilogy" novels retold, beginning September 2015.

From YahooGames:  Han Solo married?

From YahooMovies:  I didn't know that there was a short film shown before The Empire Strikes Back, when it was first released back in 1980.  I actually saw it back then, but I arrived late and the movie had already been started for about 5 minutes at least. Anyway, the short, entitled Black Angel, is being turned into a full-length film.

From YahooGames:  Andy Serkis will play a character named Supreme Leader Snoke.

From CinemaBlend:   A look at Lupita Nyong'o's character Maz Kanata via conceptual art.

From YahooMovies:  John Boyega is a total Star Wars nerd.

From TheVox:  Lightsaber colors explained.

From Mashable:  Madame Tusands in London prepares to open Star Wars exhibition.

From YahooTV:  No Princess Leia flashback in "The Force Awaken" ... or so she says.

From HuffingtonPost:  More girls in Star Wars says little Miss Hanks.

From TheVox:  Someone has found the "best" version of the original Star Wars.

From YahooMovies:  Vanity Fair covers "The Force Awakens."

From AccessHollywood:  More about the Vanity Fair shoot.

From YahooGames:  More on Disney not using George Lucas' treatment for a new trilogy.

From YahooMovies:  Episode VII's six confirmed new characters

From YahooMovies:  Disney wary of Star Wars overload.

From Variety:  The first merchandise from "The Force Awakens" hits stores September 4th, 2015.

From HuffingtonPost: "Chewie, we're home."

From Toybox:  BB-8 has his own teaser toy website.

From ScreenRant:  Who is the narrator in Trailer #2?  Is Luke or... the son of Luke.

From YahooMovies:  At Star Wars Celebration - Mark Hamill talks about being wary of J.J. Abrams and about a pivotal meeting with George Lucas.

From IGN:  At Star Wars Celebration - fans learns what could have been had "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" not been cancelled.  Some episodes would taken place after Revenge of the Sith.

From BleedingCool:  Alan Dean Foster, the master of adapting science fiction films into novels, is writing the novelization of "The Force Awakens."

From YahooMovies:  Yes, the release of the second trailer caused a fan freak out.

From CinemaBlend:  The Empire and Rebel Alliance get new names.

From YahooTech:  So how does that awesome little droid, BB-8, work?

From YahooMovies:  What crashed that Star Destroyer in the second teaser.

From YahooMovies: 6 surprises as secrets from the second trailer/teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

From CinemaBlend:  7 big moments in the second teaser that you may have missed.

From YahooMovies:  5 scenes from second trailer that remind us of original trilogy.

From GuardianUK: Second trailer returns to franchise's strengths.

From YahooMovies:  How much it costs to get an autograph or take a picture with a Star Wars personality.

From YahooFinance: Second teaser confirms one leaked plot detail... spoiler alert!

From Polygon: A closer look at the villain's costume and lightsaber.

From YahooTV:  Fun with the fake Carrie Fisher/William Shatner feud.

From YahooMovies:  George Lucas on corporate movie making and Episode VII.

From YahooGames:  See the trailer for the hot "Star Wars: Battlefront" game, due November 2015.

From YahooMovies:  "The Force Awakens" design team talks about designing the next generation.

From TechnBuffalo:  Darth Vader returns for Season Two of "Star Wars Rebels."

From YahooMovies:  30 million views of "The Force Awakens" Trailer #2 in first 24 hours.



Black Film Critics Circle Name "Creed" Best Picture of 2015

The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) was founded in 2010 and is a membership organization.  Its membership is comprised of film critics of color from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, and television and also from qualifying on-line publications.

2015 Black Film Critics Circle Awards:

Best Picture: “Creed”

Best Directing: George Miller “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan “Creed”

Best Actress: Brie Larson “Room”

Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone “Creed”

Best Supporting Actress: Tessa Thompson “Creed”

Best Screenwriting (Original Screenplay): “Straight Outta Compton”

Best Screenwriting (Adapted Screenplay): “The Martian”

Best Cinematography: “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Foreign Language Film: “Son of Saul” (Hungary)

Best Documentary Feature: “What Happened, Miss Simone?”

Best Animated Feature: “Inside Out”

Best Ensemble Performance: “Straight Outta Compton”

Pioneer Award: Ice Cube

Rising Star: Abraham Attah

Special Mention: Beasts of No Nation


BFCC’s Top 1o Films of 2015 are as follows in order of distinction:

1. “Creed”

2.  “Mad Max: Fury Road”

3. “Straight Outta Compton”

4. “Spotlight”

5. “The Martian”

6. “Room”

7. “Beasts of No Nation”

8. “The Hateful Eight”

9. “The Big Short”

10. “Ex Machina”

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Image Comics' "Spread" Preps for a New Story Arc

SPREAD KICKS OFF NEW STORY ARC

Issue #12 is a standalone issue, featuring art by Jen Hickman

Writer Justin Jordan (LUTHER STRODE) and special guest artist Jen Hickman (The Dead) will launch a special stand-alone issue in the ongoing horror series SPREAD this January 2016.

Previously in SPREAD, a man named No found an orphaned baby named Hope. Hope is the key to stopping The Spread—the gruesome cancerous growth of monsters that’s brought civilization to a grinding halt—but not everyone sees her as a savior. The key to keeping Hope alive has been Molly, a crazy survivor with an unknown background.

In SPREAD #12, Molly’s story is told.

“The world of Spread is a bad one, and Molly's story reflects this,” said Jordan. “This was probably one of the hardest scripts I ever wrote, and I really hope I did justice to the story.”

“When Justin sent me the script for the issue, he noted that this one was ‘fairly brutal’ and that made me pause. If Justin Jordan, of all people, wanted to preface a script like that, what exactly was lurking in the pages?” said Hickman. “I mean you'll have to read for yourself, but he was spot on. This issue cuts deep. I was like 3/4 through the issue and about 30 seconds from crying. I hope that I've succeeded in imparting even a fraction of the ‘fairly brutal’ emotion in the script. Basically, I hope you cry. Read Spread. It's super awesome.”

SPREAD #12 Cover A by Kyle Strahm and Felipe Sobreiro (Diamond code: NOV150648) hits stores Wednesday, January 13th. SPREAD #12 Cover B by Camila Torrano(Diamond code: NOV150649) and SPREAD #12 Cover C by Michael Adams and Kyle Strahm (Diamond code: NOV150650) will also be available Wednesday, January 13th, 2016. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is today—Monday, December 21st, 2015.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 27th to 31st, 2015 - Update #17

Support Leroy on Patreon.

NEWS:

From VillageVoice:  Here is a piece on the late Bill Gunn, whose vampire film, "Ganja and Hess," was the subject of a Spike Lee remake, "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus."

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From YahooNews:  Leo DiCaprio said no to George Lucas when offered the role of Anakin Skywalker.

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From TheWrap:  "Making a Murder" docuseries has spawned a WhiteHouse.org petition.

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From YahooSports:  Kobe wishes he could tell his younger self to "understand compassion."

From YahooSports:  Michael Jordan records tribute to Kobe Bryant.

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From YahooNews:  No charges in the Tamir Rice killing.  Of course not... No justice, no peace.

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From TheWrap:  The "Halloween" franchise is looking for a new home after Dimension lets its rights to the property expire.

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From TheWrap:  Katherine Waterston is the female lead in Ridley Scott's "Alien: Covenant," the follow-up to "Prometheus."  Covenant is apparently the start of a new Alien trilogy and will connect Prometheus to original Alien (1979) film.

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From TheWrap:  Chris Nolan's next film is "Dunkirk," a World War II film.

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From TruthVoice:  Quentin Tarantino says that he utterly rejects that idea that only some cops are bad apples.

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From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the Christmas weekend box office (12/25 to 12/27/2015) is "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" with an estimated take of $153.5 million.  That is the largest second weekend at the box office in history.  Meanwhile the film has crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide ticket sales in just 12 days.

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From Deadline:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has repeated as weekend box office champion, according to early estimates.

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From BleedingCool:  Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson praise 70mm in this interview.

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From CinemaBlend:  Before Andrew Lincoln became Rick Grimes on "The Walking Dead," Thomas Jane was the choice.


COMICS - Films and Books:

From BleedingCool:  Mads Mikkelsen is the main villain in Dr. Strange, apparently.

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Variety:  First look at Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stange.


REVIEWS:

From the VillageVoice:  A review of Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson's "Anomalisa."


OBITS:

From TheWrap:  Lemmy Kilmister, the front man for the rock band, Motorhead, died at the age of 70 on Monday, December 28, 2015.  Once upon a time, I was a Motorhead fan.

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From TheWrap:  Meadowlark Lemon, the legendary member of the Harlem Globetrotters, died Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the age of 83.  Known as "the Clown Prince of Basketball," Lemon joined the team in 1954 and left in 1978 after a contract dispute.  Negromancer sends condolences to Lemon's family.  R.I.P.

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From IndieWire:  Haskell Wexler, the legendary cinematographer, died this morning, Sunday, December 27, 2015.  He was 93.  Wexler won two Oscar for his work ("Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and "Bound for Glory").  Negromancer sends condolences to his family.  R.I.P.



Tuesday, December 29, 2015

AWFJ Announces 2015 EDA Award Nominations - Full List

According the organization’s website, The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Inc. (AWFJ), was founded in 2006.  The membership is made up of “highly qualified professional female movie critics, reporters and feature writers working in print, broadcast and online media.”  Its state purpose is to “support work by and about women - both in front of and behind the cameras - through intra-group promotional activities, outreach programs and by presenting the annual EDA Awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments (the best and worst) by and about women in the movies.”

Statement from the group's website:  “With sincerest appreciation of all the great work that’s been done in film this year, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists is pleased to announce the awards categories for the 2015 EDA Awards.

EDA Award winners will be announced on January 12, 2016.

2015 EDA Awards nominations:

[AWFJ BEST OF AWARDS: These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration.”]

Best Film

    Carol
    Mad Max: Fury Road
    The Martian
    Room
    Spotlight

Best Director

    Lenny Abrahamson – Room
    Todd Haynes – Carol
    Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – The Revenant
    Tom McCarthy – Spotlight
    George Miller – Mad Max Fury Road
    Ridley Scott – The Martian

Best Screenplay, Original

    Ex Machina – Alex Garland
    Inside Out – Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley
    Spotlight – Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy

Best Screenplay, Adapted

    The Big Short – Charles Randolph, Adam McKay
    Carol – Phyllis Nagy
    The Martian – Drew Goddard
    Room – Emma Donoghue

Best Documentary

    Amy – Asif Kapadia
    Best of Enemies – Robert Gordon, Morgan Neville
    Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief – Alex Gibney
    The Hunting Ground – Kirby Dick
    What Happened, Ms. Simone? – Liz Garbus

Best Animated Film

    Anomalisa
    Inside Out
    Shaun The Sheep

Best Actress

    Cate Blanchett – Carol
    Brie Larson – Room
    Charlotte Rampling – 45 Years

Best Actress in a Supporting Role


    Rooney Mara – Carol
    Kristen Stewart – Clouds of Sils Maria
    Alicia Vikander – Ex Machina
    Kate Winslett – Steve Jobs

Best Actor

    Matt Damon – The Martian
    Leonardo Di Caprio – The Revenant
    Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs
    Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

    Paul Dano – Love & Mercy
    Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies
    Michael Shannon – 99 Homes
    Sylvester Stallone – Creed

Best Ensemble Cast

    The Big Short
    Spotlight
    Straight Outta Compton

Best Editing

    The Big Short – Hank Corwin
    Mad Max: Fury Road – Margaret Sixel
    Spotlight – Tom McArdle

Best Cinematography

    Carol – Edward Lachman
    Mad Max: Fury Road – John Seale
    The Revenant – Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Film Music Or Score

    Carol – Carter Burwell
    The Hateful Eight – Ennio Morricone
    Mad Max: Fury Road – Junkie XL
    Youth – David Lang

Best Non-English-Language Film

    Mustang – Deniz Gamze Erguven
    Phoenix – Christian Petzold
    Son of Saul – Laszlo Nemes

EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS
[These awards honor WOMEN only.]

Best Woman Director

    Isabel Coixet – Learning to Drive
    Maya Forbes – Infinitely Polar Bear
    Sarah Gavron – Suffragette
    Marielle Heller – Diary of a Teenage Girl
    Celine Sciamma – Girlhood

Best Woman Screenwriter

    Emma Donoghue – Room
    Marielle Heller – Diary of a Teenage Girl
    Phyllis Nagy – Carol
    Amy Schumer – Trainwreck

Best Female Action Star

    Emily Blunt – Sicario
    Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games Mocking Jay 2
    Daisy Ridley – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
    Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Breakthrough Performance

    Brie Larson – Room
    Bel Powley – Diary of a Teenage Girl
    Daily Ridley – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
    Alicia Vikander – Ex Machina, Testament of Youth, The Danish Girl

Female Icon of the Year Award (a woman whose work in film and/or in life made a difference)

    - Chantal Ackerman – In Memoriam For being a great filmmaker and inspiration.
    -  Maria Giese – Activist filmmaker who is spearheading the movement for parity for women directors.
    - Donna Langley – Chair(wo)man, Universal Pictures, who has brought the studio to unprecedented profits.
   -  Jennifer Lawrence – For breaking the silence about discriminatory practices and unequal pay for actresses.
   -  Charlotte Rampling – Because she’s Charlotte Rampling and is iconic.

EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

Best Depiction Of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction

    Anomalisa
    Carol
    Diary of a Teenage Girl

Actress Defying Age and Ageism

    Helen Mirren
    Charlotte Rampling
    Lily Tomlin

Most Egregious Age Difference Between The Lead and The Love Interest Award

    Danny Collins – Al Pacino and Katarina Cas
    Freeheld – Julianne Moore and Ellen Page
    Irrational Man – Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone
    Spectre – Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux

Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent

    Bryce Dallas Howard – Jurassic World
    Dakota Johnson – 50 Shades of Grey
    Emma Stone – Aloha

Movie You Wanted To Love, But Just Couldn’t

    Aloha
    The Danish Girl
    The Hateful Eight
    Sisters

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"Bitch Planet" Returns in the New Year

BITCH PLANET RETURNS IN FORCE

Issue #6 is a stand-alone before the new arc begins, featuring art by Taki Soma

Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick (PRETTY DEADLY, Captain Marvel) and special guest artist Taki Soma (SINERGY, Rapture) will launch a special stand-alone issue in the ongoing bitingly satirical series BITCH PLANET this January.

Previously in BITCH PLANET, a new crop of non-compliants settled in for their stay on the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost. When a small group was offered a chance to earn their freedom, they took it, knowing the odds would be stacked against them at every turn.

In BITCH PLANET #6, Meiko Maki’s past is uncovered: how she went from promising engineer to killer—and the ace up her sleeve.

“I’ve wanted to work with Taki since we met, and Val and I were so pleased when she agreed to take on Bitch Planet,” said DeConnick. “Her art style matches Meiko’s personality, I think. There’s a vulnerability to it, an honesty, buffered with a sense of humor—which I think is critical for this title. And that’s not an easy thing to balance. Val makes it look effortless, but it’s not. Taki was able to step into our world and meld beautifully, and at the same time, entirely be herself.”

She added, "After lengthy discussions between ourselves, we’ve decided to run this issue with the following content advisory: 'The following is a flashback issue, covering the events that lead to Meiko Maki's incarceration. It contains plot elements and images relating to sexual assault. The creators encourage you to evaluate your comfort level before deciding to proceed. Bitch Planet's main narrative will resume next month with Issue 7. The series recap therein will not recount the assault.’ It’s similar to the tack we’ve taken with racial epithets—these things have to exist in the world of Bitch Planet, we have to talk about them, but we’re trying to figure out a way to do it that isn’t exploitative, that doesn’t contribute to trauma.”

"I gotta say, this has been a dream project,” said Soma. “In this particular issue, you really GET where Meiko Maki comes from in a way that's integral to the overall Bitch Planet title. If that doesn't excite you, let me just say that I feel sad for you and may I suggest that you look into your pet's eyes and hug it a lot."

BITCH PLANET #6 (Diamond code: NOV150504) hits stores Wednesday, January 6th, 2016. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, December 14th, 2015.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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