Monday, February 20, 2017

2017 Black Reel Awards Winners Announced; "Moonlight" Named Outstanding Film

The Black Reel Awards annually honor African-Americans in feature, independent, and television film.  The awards also take notice of the work in film by people of color throughout the African Diaspora.  The awards were launched in 2000, and this is the 16th year the awards will be handed out.  The Black Reel Awards are now given out by the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF).

The nominations for the 17th Annual Black Reel Awards were announced December 14, 2016.  The Black Reel Awards are comprised of more than 110 voters across the country.  The voters annually select and spotlight films, television, and music and performances featuring African-Americans, as well as people of color throughout the African Diaspora.  The 17th Annual Black Reel Awards winners were announced on Thursday, February 16, 2017.

2017 / 17th Annual Black Reel Award winners:

Motion Picture Categories

Outstanding Film
Moonlight  | Dede Gardner, Adele Romanski & Jeremy Kleiner

Outstanding Actor
Denzel Washington | Fences

Outstanding Actress
Ruth Negga | Loving

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali | Moonlight

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Viola Davis | Fences

Outstanding Director
Barry Jenkins | Moonlight

Outstanding Screenplay
Barry Jenkins | Moonlight

Outstanding Documentary
13th | Ava DuVernay

Outstanding Ensemble
Moonlight | Yesi Ramirez

Outstanding Foreign-Language Film
Eye of the Storm | Sekou Traore (Burkina Faso)

Outstanding Score
Nicholas Britell | Moonlight

Outstanding Original Song
“I’m Still Here” | Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (Miss Sharon Jones!)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Trevante Rhodes | Moonlight

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Janelle Monae | Hidden Figures

Outstanding Voice Performance
Idris Elba | The Jungle Book

INDEPENDENT

Outstanding Independent Film
American Honey | Andrea Arnold

Outstanding World Cinema Film
Where the Road Runs Out | Rudolf Buitendach (Equatorial Guinea)

Outstanding Independent Short
$15 Kicks | Jenn Shaw

Outstanding Emerging Filmmaker
O.J.: Made in America | Ezra Edelman

Outstanding First Screenplay
The Land | Steven Caple, Jr.

TELEVISION

Outstanding TV Documentary or Special
Beyonce: Lemonade | Beyoncé Knowles & Khalil Joseph

Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series
The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story | Chip Vucelich, Alexis Martin Woodall & John Travolta, Producers

Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
Courtney B. Vance | The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series
Kerry Washington | Confirmation

Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
Sterling K. Brown | The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series
Regina King | American Crime

Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited Series
John Singleton | The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Screenplay, TV Movie or Limited Series
Joe Robert Cole | The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story (“The Race Card”)

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2017 Writers Guild Awards Announced; "Moonlight," "Arrival" Top Screenplay Winners

The Writers Guild of America is a labor union representing film, television, radio, video game, and new media writers. The Writers Guild of America Award acknowledges outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio and has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949.

The Writers Guild Awards honor outstanding writing in film, television, new media, videogames, news, radio, promotional, and graphic animation categories. 2017 / 69th Writers Guild Awards nominations were announced Wednesday, January 4, 2017. The awards were presented at concurrent ceremonies on Sunday, February 19, 2017, in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton and in New York City at the Edison Ballroom. For more information about the 2017 Writers Guild Awards, please visit www.wga.org or .www.wgaeast.org

2017 / 69th Writers Guild Award winners (for the film year 2016):

SCREENPLAY NOMINEES

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Moonlight, Written by Barry Jenkins, Story by Tarell McCraney; A24

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Arrival, Screenplay by Eric Heisserer; Based on the Story “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang; Paramount Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY:
Command and Control, Telescript by Robert Kenner and Eric Schlosser, Story by Brian Pearle and Kim Roberts; Based on the book Command and Control by Eric Schlosser; American Experience Films

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA NOMINEES

DRAMA SERIES:
The Americans, Written by Peter Ackerman, Tanya Barfield, Joshua Brand, Joel Fields, Stephen Schiff, Joe Weisberg, Tracey Scott Wilson; FX

COMEDY SERIES:
Atlanta, Written by Donald Glover, Stephen Glover, Stefani Robinson, Paul Simms; FX

NEW SERIES:
Atlanta, Written by Donald Glover, Stephen Glover, Stefani Robinson, Paul Simms; FX

LONG FORM ORIGINAL:
Confirmation, Written by Susannah Grant; HBO

LONG FORM ADAPTED:
The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Written by Scott Alexander, Joe Robert Cole, D.V. DeVincentis, Maya Forbes, Larry Karaszewski, Wally Wolodarsky, Based on the book The Run of His Life by Jeffrey Toobin; FX

SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA – ORIGINAL:
“The Party” (The Commute), Written by Linsey Stewart & Dane Clark; youtube.com

SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA – ADAPTED:
“Passage” Part 4 (Fear the Walking Dead), Written by Lauren Signorino & Mike Zunic; amc.com

ANIMATION:
“Stop the Presses” (BoJack Horseman), Written by Joe Lawson; Netflix

EPISODIC DRAMA:
“The Trip” (This Is Us), Written by Vera Herbert; NBC

EPISODIC COMEDY:
“Kimmy Goes on a Playdate!” (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Written by Robert Carlock; Netflix

COMEDY / VARIETY (INCLUDING TALK) – SERIES:
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Writers: Kevin Avery, Tim Carvell, Josh Gondelman, Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Maurer, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Jill Twiss, Juli Weiner; HBO

COMEDY / VARIETY – SKETCH SERIES:
Saturday Night Live, Head Writers: Rob Klein, Bryan Tucker Writers: James Anderson, Fred Armisen, Jeremy Beiler, Chris Belair, Megan Callahan, Michael Che, Mikey Day, Jim Downey, Tina Fey, Fran Gillespie, Sudi Green, Tim Herlihy, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Zach Kanin, Chris Kelly, Erik Kenward, Paul Masella, Dave McCary, Dennis McNicholas, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, Josh Patten, Paula Pell, Katie Rich, Tim Robinson, Sarah Schneider, Pete Schultz, Streeter Seidell, Dave Sirus, Emily Spivey, Andrew Steele, Will Stephen, Kent Sublette; NBC

COMEDY / VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS
Triumph The Primary Election Special 2016, Written by Andy Breckman, Josh Comers, Raj Desai, David Feldman, R J Fried, Jarrett Grode, Ben Joseph, Matthew Kirsch, Michael Koman, Mike Lawrence, Brian Reich, Craig Rowin, Robert Smigel, Zach Smilovitz, David Taylor, Andrew Weinberg; Additional Materials by Ray James, Jesse Joyce, Jason Reich, Alex Scordelis; Hulu

QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Hollywood Game Night, Head Writer: Grant Taylor; Writers: Michael Agbabian, Alex Chauvin, Ann Slichter, Dwight D. Smith; NBC

DAYTIME DRAMA:
General Hospital, Writers: Shelly Altman, Anna Theresa Cascio, Andrea Archer Compton, Suzanne Flynn, Janet Iacobuzio, Elizabeth Korte, Daniel James O'Connor, Jean Passanante, Dave Rupel, Katherine Schock, Scott Sickles, Chris Van Etten, Christopher Whitesell; ABC

CHILDREN’S SCRIPT – EPISODIC AND SPECIALS
“Mel vs. The Night Mare of Normal Street” (Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street), Written by Laurie Parres; Amazon Studios

CHILDREN’S SCRIPT – LONG FORM OR SPECIAL:
Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas, Written by Geri Cole & Ken Scarborough; HBO

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – CURRENT EVENTS (TIE)
  • “The Choice 2016” (Frontline); Written by Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser; PBS

  • “Inside Assad's Syria” (Frontline), Written by Martin Smith; PBS

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS:
“Jackie Robinson, Part One,” Written by David McMahon & Sarah Burns; PBS

NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT:
“Muhammad Ali: Remembering A Legend” (48 Hours), Written by Jerry Cipriano, John Craig Wilson; CBS News

NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY:
“CBS Sunday Morning Almanac” June 12, 2016 (CBS Sunday Morning), Written by Thomas A. Harris; CBS

RADIO NOMINEES

RADIO DOCUMENTARY
“Chernobyl: 30 Years Later,” Written by Andrew Evans; ABC News Radio

RADIO NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT:
“World News This Week” August 26, 2016, Written by Tara Gimbel Tanis; ABC News Radio

RADIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY:
“Morley Safer: A Journalist’s Life,” Written by Gail Lee; CBS News Radio

PROMOTIONAL WRITING NOMINEES - ON-AIR PROMOTION (TELEVISION, NEW MEDIA OR RADIO):
“CBS On-Air Reel,” Written by Brian Retchless; CBS On-Air Promotion

TELEVISION GRAPHIC ART AND ANIMATION:
“The Real History of Cinco de Mayo,” (Gawker Media Group), Graphic Animation by Elisa Solinas; youtube.com

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VIDEOGAME WRITING
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

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Image Comics Returns to "God Country" for Reprints

BREAKOUT HIT GOD COUNTRY RUSHED BACK TO PRINT AGAIN

The bestselling, breakout hit series GOD COUNTRY by Donny Cates (REDNECK) and Geoff Shaw is being rushed back to print on both issues #1 and #2 in order to keep up with overwhelming customer demand.

In GOD COUNTRY, Emmet Quinlan, an old widower rattled by dementia, isn't just a problem for his children—his violent outbursts are more than the local cops can handle. When a tornado levels his home—as well as the surrounding West Texas town—a restored Quinlan rises from the wreckage. The enchanted sword at the eye of the storm gives him more than a sound mind and body, however. He's now the only man who can face the otherworldly creatures the sword has drawn down to the Lone Star State...

GOD COUNTRY #1 and #2 remain available for purchase across all digital platforms, including the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com), the official Image Comics iOS app, Comixology’s website (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play.

GOD COUNTRY #1, 3rd printing (Diamond Code JAN178080), GOD COUNTRY #2, 2nd printing (Diamond Code JAN178081), GOD COUNTRY #3 Cover A by Shaw & Wordie (Diamond Code JAN170731), and Cover B by Zaffino and Wordie (Diamond Code JAN170732) will be available on Wednesday, March 15th, 2017. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, February 20th, 2017.

Select praise for GOD COUNTRY:

If this book was a gymnast it wouldn't just stick the landing, it'd throw in a couple of extra flips and fucking shatter the Earth as it landed... If I could give God Country #1 six out of five stars I would… It's definitely a book that you need to read, so make sure you get your LCS to order it for you, you would be a fool not to.
—Comic Bastards

It'll be the book that makes everyone say, ‘Whoa, where did this come from?!’ It's a truly stunning debut.” —Nerdist

Stunning.” —Horror Talk

One of the finest books I've read. Everything about this book is captivating. It's human and tender, but pulls in elements of the fantastic in a tight and compelling story. I cannot say enough good things about this book. This is a story that demands your attention.” —Comicosity

One of the most oddly satisfying action/adventure that I have ever read. It was breathtaking in a way that is impossible to explain, because it involves so much more than words. I highly suggest reading it.” —Outright Geekery

This story will be special.” —Multiversity Comics


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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Sunday, February 19, 2017

2017 Independent Spirit Award Nominations - Complete List

Film Independent’s Spirit Awards (formerly known as the Independent Spirit Awards) were founded in 1984 and are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers.  Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and also the Los Angeles Film Festival.

32nd FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

$75,000 IN GRANTS TO BE AWARDED TO FILMMAKERS, INCLUDING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD

SPIRIT AWARDS TO BE BROADCAST LIVE EXCLUSIVELY ON IFC, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET

LOS ANGELES – Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the LA Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA, announced nominations for the 2017 Spirit Awards. The Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at W Hollywood, with actors Jenny Slate and Edgar Ramirez presenting the nominations. Nominees for Best Feature included American Honey, Chronic, Jackie, Manchester by the Sea and Moonlight.

“Now more than ever, the voices of independent artists play a critically important role in our culture,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “The films we celebrate at this year’s Spirit Awards embody the diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision that we champion all year long.”

Moonlight was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman who was known for creating extraordinary ensemble casts.

Winners, who are selected by Film Independent Members, will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The awards ceremony will be held on the beach in Santa Monica, just north of the Santa Monica Pier. The show will broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET.

The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees selected nominees from 382 submissions this year and applied the following guidelines in determining the nominations: uniqueness of vision, original and provocative subject matter, economy of means (with particular attention paid to total production cost and individual compensation) and percentage of financing from independent sources. The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees are comprised of writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, actors, critics, casting directors, film festival programmers and other working film professionals.

2017 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations:

BEST FEATURE – Award given to the producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.

American Honey
Producers: Thomas Benski, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Lucas Ochoa, Pouya Shahbazian, Alice Weinberg

Chronic
Producers: Michel Franco, Gina Kwon, Gabriel Ripstein, Moisés Zonana

Jackie
Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin, Ari Handel, Juan de Dios Larraín, Mickey Liddell

Manchester by the Sea
Producers: Lauren Beck, Matt Damon, Chris Moore, Kimberly Steward, Kevin J. Walsh

Moonlight
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski

BEST FIRST FEATURE – Award given to the director and producer.

The Childhood of a Leader
Director: Brady Corbet
Producers: Antoine de Clermont-Tonnerre, Chris Coen, Ron Curtis, Helena Danielsson, Mona Fastvold, István Major

The Fits
Director/Producer: Anna Rose Holmer
Producer: Lisa Kjerulff

Other People
Director: Chris Kelly
Producers: Sam Bisbee, Adam Scott, Naomi Scott

Swiss Army Man
Directors: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Producers: Miranda Bailey, Lawrence Inglee, Lauren Mann, Amanda Marshall, Eyal Rimmon, Jonathan Wang

The Witch
Director: Robert Eggers
Producers: Daniel Bekerman, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Jodi Redmond, Rodrigo Teixeira

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.

Free In Deed
Writer/Director: Jake Mahaffy
Producers: Mike Bowes, Mike S. Ryan, Brent Stiefel

Hunter Gatherer
Writer/Director: Josh Locy
Producers: Michael Covino, April Lamb, Sara Murphy, Isaiah Smallman

Lovesong
Writer/Director: So Yong Kim
Writer/Producer: Bradley Rust Gray
Producers: David Hansen, Alex Lipschultz, Johnny Mac

Nakom
Writer/Director/Producer: TW Pittman
Director/Producer: Kelly Daniela Norris
Writer/Producer: Isaac Adakudugu
Producer: Giovanni Ximénez

Spa Night
Writer/Director: Andrew Ahn
Producers: David Ariniello, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Kelly Thomas

BEST DIRECTOR
Andrea Arnold - American Honey
Barry Jenkins - Moonlight
Pablo Larraín - Jackie
Jeff Nichols - Loving
Kelly Reichardt - Certain Women

BEST SCREENPLAY
Moonlight - Barry Jenkins; Story By Tarell Alvin McCraney   
Manchester by the Sea - Kenneth Lonergan
20th Century Women - Mike Mills
Little Men - Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias
Hell or High Water - Taylor Sheridan

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
The Witch - Robert Eggers
Other People - Chris Kelly
Barry - Adam Mansbach
Jean of the Jones - Stella Meghie
Christine - Craig Shilowich

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Free in Deed - Ava Berkofsky
The Childhood of a Leader - Lol Crawley
The Eyes of My Mother - Zach Kuperstein
Moonlight - James Laxton
American Honey - Robbie Ryan

BEST EDITING
Matthew Hannam - Swiss Army Man
Jennifer Lame - Manchester by the Sea
Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders - Moonlight
Jake Roberts - Hell or High Water
Sebastián Sepúlveda - Jackie

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Annette Bening - 20th Century Women
Isabelle Huppert - Elle
Sasha Lane - American Honey
Ruth Negga - Loving
Natalie Portman - Jackie

BEST MALE LEAD
Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea
David Harewood - Free In Deed
Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic
Jesse Plemons - Other People
Tim Roth - Chronic

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Edwina Findley - Free In Deed
Paulina Garcia - Little Men
Lily Gladstone - Certain Women
Riley Keough - American Honey
Molly Shannon - Other People

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Ralph Fiennes - A Bigger Splash
Ben Foster - Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges - Manchester by the Sea
Shia LaBeouf - American Honey
Craig Robinson - Morris from America

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.

Moonlight
Director: Barry Jenkins
Casting Director: Yesi Ramirez
Ensemble Cast: Mahershala Ali, Patrick Decile, Naomie Harris, Alex Hibbert, André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders

BEST DOCUMENTARY – Award given to the director and producer.

13th
Director/Producer: Ava DuVernay
Producers: Spencer Averick, Howard Barish

Cameraperson
Director/Producer: Kirsten Johnson
Producer: Marilyn Ness

I Am Not Your Negro
Director/Producer: Raoul Peck
Producers: Rémi Grellety, Hébert Peck

O.J.: Made in America
Director/Producer: Ezra Edelman
Producers: Deirdre Fenton, Libby Geist, Nina Krstic, Erin Leyden, Tamara Rosenberg, Connor Schell, Caroline Waterlow

Sonita
Director: Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami
Producer: Gerd Haag

Under the Sun
Director: Vitaly Mansky
Producer: Natalya Manskaya

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM – Award given to the director.
Aquarius (Brazil)
Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho

Chevalier (Greece)
Director: Athina Tsangari

My Golden Days (France)
Director: Arnaud Desplechin

Toni Erdmann (Germany and Romania)
Director: Maren Ade

Under the Shadow (Iran and U.K.)
Director: Babak Anvari

20th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 20th annual Producers Award, sponsored by Piaget, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.

Lisa Kjerulff

Jordana Mollick

Melody C. Roscher & Craig Shilowich

23rd ANNUAL KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 23rd annual Someone to Watch Award, sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851.

Andrew Ahn
Director of Spa Night

Claire Carré
Director of Embers

Anna Rose Holmer
Director of The Fits

Ingrid Jungermann
Director of Women Who Kill

22nd TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 22nd annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

Kristi Jacobson
Director of Solitary     

Sara Jordenö
Director of Kiki

Nanfu Wang
Director of Hooligan Sparrow

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Archie Comics and Warner Bros Television Unite in Development Deal

Archie Comics Inks Exclusive Production Deal with Warner Brothers Television To Develop Original Programming Based on Archie Characters

EXTRA: Best-selling author Mark Waid sets up shop at Archie Comics with additional comic book launches and mentoring role with rising star writers

Archie Comic Publications and Warner Bros. Television have signed an exclusive deal to develop new original programming and content based on Archie’s vast catalog of characters and properties, as revealed earlier today by The Hollywood Reporter.

Following years of daring and fan-favorite comic books including the DEATH OF ARCHIE, AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, and the blockbuster ARCHIE relaunch by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples, the new production deal with Warner Bros. Television is the culmination of years of work by Jon Goldwater and the staff and freelancers of Archie Comics to bring the classic comic book characters forward into the present day.

“For years, people have been saying ‘Wow, Archie is making moves. They’re fearless. They’re trying new things.’ This is what happened next,” Archie Comics CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater told The Hollywood Reporter.

“We were redefining the brand by being daring and by, at the same time, protecting the integrity of the characters. As long as Archie is Archie and his friends are true to their characters, you can do anything with them. That’s what really opened up people’s eyes to their potential, and it’s a direct path to where we are today, which is having a Riverdale TV series on the CW and a new deal with Warners. The sky’s the limit here.”

The reinvention of the publishing line at Archie Comics continues as ARCHIE writer Mark Waid will be brought further into the fold by working on an expanded number of titles in addition to serving as a writing mentor for young and upcoming talent.

"This opportunity is exciting to me for a number of reasons," Waid said. "First, the chance to expand my role as a writer at Archie is terrific as we all share the same storytelling goals. Second, it allows me to exercise my editorial muscles, which--surprise--is why I got into comics in the first place. But most of all, the opportunity to help build a more diverse staff of writers, younger, eager to learn, and eager to teach me."

Waid’s first step in this new role will begin in May as he takes over the ongoing JUGHEAD series alongside new co-writer Ian Flynn (SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, MEGA MAN, ARCHIE BABIES). Additional titles and co-writers will be revealed later this year.

For more information about ‘RIVERDALE’ and everything Archie Comics, visit the official Archie Comics website and follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Watch new episodes of RIVERDALE on The CW App.

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"Fences" Arrives on Digital HD Feb. 24th and on Blu-ray March 14th

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis Star in the Oscar®-Nominated Masterpiece FENCES, Arriving on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack March 14, 2017

Triumphant Adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play is Nominated For Four Academy Awards® Including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress

Digital HD Debuts February 24, 2017 Just in Time for the Academy Awards®

HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Academy Award® winner* Denzel Washington directs and stars in the powerful and moving drama FENCES, arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand March 14, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film arrives on Digital HD February 24, 2017 two days before the 2017 Academy Awards ceremony.

    @DenzelWashingt @ViolaDavis star in Oscar-nominated #FencesMovie on Blu-ray 3/14 & Digital HD 2/24

Hailed by critics and audiences alike, FENCES has been nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Denzel Washington), Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis) and Best Adapted Screenplay (August Wilson). FENCES also has been named one of the best films of the year by the American Film Institute, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, the Producers Guild of America and more. In addition, Washington and Viola Davis both won SAG Awards for their performances and Davis’ transcendent performance earned her the 2017 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and more than a dozen critics’ group awards.

Adapted by legendary writer August Wilson from his own renowned play, FENCES follows former Negro-league baseball player Troy Maxson (Washington) in 1950s Pittsburgh as he fights to provide for those he loves in a world that threatens to push him down. An unforgettable and timeless masterpiece, FENCES “connects with people on a deep, emotional level” (Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times) and pulses with the universal truths of love and forgiveness, despite what lies beyond your own fence.

The FENCES Blu-ray Combo Pack includes over 30 minutes of fascinating bonus content. With interviews from the cast and crew, including actor/director Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, discover how August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play was adapted from stage to screen. Plus, visit the movie's Pittsburgh set, learn how Davis prepared for her award-winning performance, and much more. Buy FENCES on Blu-ray Combo Pack and get a bonus digital copy of The Manchurian Candidate (2004), starring Denzel Washington, for a limited time only.

FENCES Blu-ray Combo Pack

The FENCES Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray

    Feature film in high definition
    Bonus Content:
        Expanding the Audience: From Stage to Screen
        The Company of Fences
        Building Fences: Denzel Washington
        Playing the Part: Rose Maxson
        August Wilson’s Hill District

The Blu-ray Combo Pack available for purchase includes a Digital HD Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.

FENCES Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The disc includes the feature film in standard definition.

Paramount Pictures presents in association with Bron Creative in association with Macro Media - Denzel Washington, Viola Davis: “Fences.” Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney. Music by Marcelo Zarvos. Costumer designer Sharen Davis. Edited by Hughes Winborne, ACE. Production designer David Gropman. Director of photography Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Executive producers Molly Allen, Eli Bush, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andy Pollack, Dale Wells, Charles D. King, Kim Roth. Produced by Scott Rudin, p.g.a., Denzel Washington, p.g.a., Todd Black, p.g.a. Screenplay by August Wilson based upon his play. Directed by Denzel Washington.


About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier media brands that create television programs, motion pictures, consumer products, and digital content for audiences in 180 countries and territories. The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

FENCES

Street Date:
March 14, 2017 (Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand)
February 24, 2017 (Digital HD)
U.S. Rating:         PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references
Canadian Rating:         PG, violence, coarse language

“ACADEMY AWARD®” and “OSCAR®” are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

http://www.FencesMovie.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FencesMovie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FencesMovie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FencesMovie
Amazon: http://j.mp/OwnFences
iTunes: http://j.mp/FencesWebsite

*Best Actor in a Leading Role: Training Day (2002); Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Glory (1990)

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Friday, February 17, 2017

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 12th to 18th, 2017 - Update #24

Support Leroy on Patreon.

CULTURE - From BuzzFlash:  NBA champion coach Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) speaks out on racial and social justice.

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Angela Lansbury joins "Mary Poppins Returns" from Disney.

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MOVIES - From Deadline: There will be a fourth entry in "The Purge" film franchise.  It's due in 2018.

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POLITICS - From YahooNews:  In a major survey of historians, President Obama, is ranked the 12th best President of the United States of all time.

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TELEVISION - From YahooTV:  On "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," Robert Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin a.k.a. "The Crocodile Hunter," comes across just like his dad.

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MOVIES - From Variety:   "Extinction," the sci-fi film starring Michael Pena, lands at Universal after a competitive bidding war.

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OSCARS - From THR:  The stars of "Bonnie and Clyde," Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, will reunite at the Oscars to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film and to present the best picture Oscar... to "La La Land," of course.

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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel and Archie enter join publishing venture.

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COMICS-FILM - From ComicBookMovie:  Mel Gibson among the directors being considered to director "Suicide Squad 2."

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MUSIC - From TheWrap:  Well, if you can have a President Trump... Kid Rock being considered a U.S. Senate candidate...

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POLITICS - From RSN:  The real reason that Republicans want to repeal Obamacare?  Robert Reich says it would put anywhere from $33000 to $197000 worth of tax cuts into the wealthiest 1 percent's hands every year.

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OSCARS - From RollingStone:  Peter Travers offers his 2017 Oscar predictions.

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TELEVISION:  Variety:  Amazon gets "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams" from Bryan Cranston and Ronald D. Moore.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  The "S.W.A.T." reboot from CBS will have Bond girl, Stephanie Sigman, in a starring role.

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  If Matt Reeves does become director of "The Batman," will he bring something new to the character.

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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Jeremy Saulnier, director of "Green Room" and "Murder Party," lines up Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgard, and Riley Keough for his next film, "Hold the Dark (from Netflix).

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AWARDS - From YahooMusic:  Highs and lows of the Grammys.  It was mostly all low except for the end when Adele shouts out Beyonce.

From YahooMusic - Adele wins and gives all credit to Beyonce.

From YahooMusic:  A complete list of Grammy winners and nominees.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 2/10 to 2/12/2017 weekend box office is "The Lego Batman Movie" with an estimated take of $55.6 million.

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AWARDS - From Variety:  "La La Land" wins the top prize at the 2017 BAFTAs.

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AWARDS - From EOnline:  2017 Image Awards were held last night with "Hidden Figures" and Taraji P. Henson the big winners.

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OBIT - From TMZ:  The Grammy-winning singer, Al Jarreau, has died at the age of 76, Sunday, February 12, 2017.  He may be the only recording artist to win a Grammy in the jazz vocal, pop vocal, and R&B vocal categories.  He won a total of 7 Grammys.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Matt Reeves of "Cloverfield" and "War for the Planet of the Apes" in talks to be the director Ben Affleck's "The Batman" movie, which Affleck has previously committed to directing before recently stepping down.

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  There are now at least 6 players from the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots will not visit Donald Trump per a tradition of the American championship teams visiting the White House.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  New "Iron Fist" trailer from Marvel/Netflix.