Image Comics Announces Sloane Leong's "Prism Stalker" Comic Book

SLOANE LEONG UNLEASHES PRISM STALKER THIS MARCH

A sci-fi adventure for fans of Octavia Butler, David Cronenberg, and Sailor Moon

PORTLAND, OR — Writer/artist Sloane Leong (FROM UNDER MOUNTAINS) will launch PRISM STALKER, an all-new bio-punk series, this March 2018 from Image Comics.

The eye of opportunity is closing.

Vep is a young refugee, raised away from her devastated home planet as an indentured citizen in a foreign colony. She works tirelessly for her insectoid hosts, but there is no exit in sight in this viscous, dripping citynest. Her duty is to her family and her siblings, but what more can she do for them here? The answer appears faster than she is ready for.

“PRISM STALKER is a story that I've carried close to my heart for a long time,” said Leong. “It’s changed over time, as I have, and has become something that’s given back to me, nurtured, surprised, and challenged me in different forms.

“In her 2014 National Book Award speech, Ursula Le Guin said: ‘I think hard times are coming when we will be wanting the voices of writers who can see alternatives to how we live now…’ This is what I love to read, and these are the kinds of comics I want to make: challenging the dominant paradigms and cultural hierarchies, letting differing visions of the future clash and play, creating endless potential, and threading the past into the present and future: a quantum indigenous futurism.”

PRISM STALKER will launch in March 2018.

Advance praise for PRISM STALKER:

“Weird, beautiful, and bursting with ideas, PRISM STALKER is modern science fiction with much to say and an incredibly exciting way of saying it.” —Jamie McKelvie (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE)

“PRISM STALKER is such a vibrant and brilliant journey through life and loss. Sloane's handle on fantastic imagery and nuanced emotion explodes off the page.” —Leslie Hung (SNOTGIRL)

“Leong is a favorite of mine. Her work is dynamic, bizarre and beautiful.” —Kelly Sue DeConnick (BITCH PLANET)

“Sloane’s eye for sci-fi/fantasy is unlike anything else out there; PRISM STALKER is a unique, gripping, and vivid must-read that breaks the comics mold in a much-needed way.” —Iasmin Omar Ata (Mis(h)adra)

“Sloane Leong speaks with one of the most exciting and fresh new voices in comics. PRISM STALKER is a bold declaration.” —Matt Fraction (SEX CRIMINALS)

“Sloane's PRISM STALKER beautifully shows a distant future as both deeply alien and relatable. I love this book. It's fantastic and personal science fiction.” —Brandon Graham (KING CITY)


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling 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 Comics, Skybound Entertainment, 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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Will Smith to Host National Geographic's "One Strange Rock"

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TAPS ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE WILL SMITH AS HOST OF ONE STRANGE ROCK

Smith to Act as Guide in 10-Part Event Series From Acclaimed Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and Award-Winning Producer Jane Root

The Nutopia and Protozoa Pictures Series Redefines Natural History and Science Genres With an Epic Journey Filmed Across 45 Countries, Six Continents and Outer Space

Elite Group of Astronauts Recruited to Tell the Extraordinary Story of Earth Through the Unique Perspective of Experiencing the Planet from Outer Space: Chris Hadfield, Jeff Hoffman, Mae Jemison, Jerry Linenger, Mike Massimino, Leland Melvin, Nicole Stott and Peggy Whitson

National Geographic announces Academy Award®-nominated actor Will Smith (“Ali,” “Pursuit of Happyness,” “Men in Black I, II, III”) as host of its new 10-episode global event series ONE STRANGE ROCK (#OSR), from Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky (“mother!,” “Black Swan,” “Requiem for a Dream”) and award-winning producer Jane Root (“America The Story of Us,” “The 80s: The Decade That Made Us”). Smith made the official announcement on his Facebook page with a short teaser video. With Smith guiding viewers on an epic journey across the globe and into outer space, ONE STRANGE ROCK promises to be a thrilling, mind-bending trip within and beyond planet Earth, affirming that there really is no place like home. The Nutopia and Protozoa Pictures series is slated to premiere globally on National Geographic in March 2018 in 172 countries and 43 languages.

See YouTube teaser trailer.

ONE STRANGE ROCK is the extraordinary story of Earth — our curiously calibrated, interconnected planet — and why it is special and uniquely brimming with life among a largely unknown but harsh cosmic arena. Anchoring the series is an elite group of astronauts who see Earth’s bigger picture; they provide unique perspectives and relate personal memoirs of our planet seen from space.

With ONE STRANGE ROCK, Aronofsky is excited to collaborate with one of his favorite talents. “I am thrilled to have Will Smith on board to guide our series. His charisma, intelligence and humanity will add greatly to the project, helping welcome viewers into this unique narrative about the mind-blowing wonders that make life on Earth possible,” he said.

“By pairing the incomparable, out-of-this-world, global appeal of Will Smith with our rock-star astronauts, who literally went out of this world, we tell the incredible story of the complexities of our planet,” says Tim Pastore, president, original programming and production, National Geographic. “With the distinctive storytelling from Aronofsky and Root, ONE STRANGE ROCK will be an incredible visual treat, taking audiences from the microscopic to the cosmic, leaving viewers to see and appreciate our planet as never before.”

“Our goal here is to reimagine factual programming and give viewers a cinematic spectacle like they have never seen before,” says Jane Root. “We’ll unpack the science behind our marvelous planet, and provide stories that are entertaining and provocative; and who better to do that with than the visionary Darren Aronofsky and his partners at Protozoa Pictures, the incomparable Will Smith and our team of legendary astronauts?”

Adding to Smith’s appeal, ONE STRANGE ROCK’s astronauts bring singular insight and emotion to the narrative, weaving dramatic, inspiring sequences and science to reveal the magical twists of fate that allowed life on Earth to emerge, thrive and survive. Their personal experiences are portals to vital themes explored throughout the series, including the genesis of life, death, breath, cosmic violence, human intelligence, sacrifice, terraforming and more.

•     Chris Hadfield – The first Canadian astronaut to command the International Space Station and the only Canadian to have ever boarded the Russian Space Station Mir while in orbit, Hadfield has left Earth three times and spent a total of 166 days in space.
•     Jeff Hoffman – Logging 21.5 million miles in space, Brooklyn-born astronomer and former astronaut Hoffman has flown to space five times, one of which was the first mission to reach the Hubble Space Telescope.
•     Mae Jemison – Former astronaut Jemison just celebrated the 25th anniversary of her mission to space aboard the Endeavour, making history as the first African-American woman to go to space.
•     Jerry Linenger – Former astronaut Linenger, who survived the most severe fire ever aboard an orbiting spacecraft, spent nearly five months on the Russian space station Mir and logged 50 million miles on that mission alone.
•     Mike Massimino – The first person to send a tweet from space, former astronaut Massimino flew on two space shuttle missions to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
•     Leland Melvin – The only person drafted into the NFL to have flown to space, former astronaut Melvin blasted off to space twice and logged more than 565 hours there.
•     Nicole Stott – Known as the “Artistic Astronaut,” former astronaut and aquanaut Stott, who became the first astronaut to paint in space, logged 104 days in space and nearly three weeks on Aquarius undersea habitat.
•     Peggy Whitson – Astronaut Whitson just completed her third journey to space, setting a NASA record for the most days in space — 665.

About Will Smith
As an actor, producer and musician, two-time Academy Award® nominee and Grammy Award winner Will Smith has enjoyed a diverse career encompassing films, television and multiplatinum records.

Smith’s vast filmography includes transformative portrayals of true-life icons in “Ali,” “The Pursuit of Happyness” and “Concussion.” He has headlined an extraordinary list of films, including “Hitch,” “I am Legend,” “I, Robot,” “Independence Day,” “Men in Black I, II, and III” and “Suicide Squad” and most recently appeared in “Collateral Beauty.” His next project is the upcoming fantasy cop drama film “Bright,” which is scheduled for release on Dec. 22 exclusively for Netflix. Smith is currently in production on Disney’s “Aladdin,” in the role of the Genie, to be released May 24, 2019, and will also star in Ang Lee’s “Gemini Man.”

He began his career as a musician selling millions of records worldwide before crossing over into television with the beloved “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” In 1998 he and partner James Lassiter founded production and management company Overbrook Entertainment, which has produced numerous top film and television projects.

In addition to his artistic achievements, he founded the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation with his wife, Jada. WJSFF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization committed to improving lives and investing in organizations and initiatives that empower traditionally overlooked communities.

Rounding out the ONE STRANGE ROCK production team, Arif Nummohamed (Earth’s Natural Wonders,” “How to Build a Planet”) is co-executive producer and showrunner.

National Geographic Presents:
A Nutopia and Protozoa Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment Production
“ONE STRANGE ROCK”
Hosted by Will Smith
Music by Daniel Pemberton
Co-Executive Producer Arif Nurmohamed, Executive Producers Darren Aronofsky, Jane Root, Ari Handel, Peter Lovering, Scott Franklin, Tim Pastore, and Matt Renner

About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. 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 millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 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.

About Protozoa Pictures
Protozoa Pictures is Academy Award®-nominated director Darren Aronofsky's production company. Founded in 1996, based in Brooklyn and headed by Aronofsky, partners are Ari Handel, and Scott Franklin. The company has first look deals with Paramount Pictures to develop films and Fox Networks Group to develop television. Credits include the critically-acclaimed films: mother!, Jackie, Noah, Black Swan, The Wrestler, The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream, and π. One Strange Rock is Protozoa’s first television project to be aired. The next feature film to be released is White Boy Rick, directed by Yann Demange, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eddie Marsan, Bruce Dern, Brian Tyree Henry and Jonathan Majors. It will be released by Sony Pictures.

About Nutopia
Nutopia is a leading television production company creating innovative, award-winning, premium content on a global scale. Founded in 2008 by Jane Root, former President of Discovery Channel US, Controller of BBC2 and co-founder of Wall to Wall TV, Nutopia created the ‘mega doc’ model, blending huge scale history series and high-profile talent from the worlds of documentary and drama. In 2017, the company entered into a creative partnership with Academy Award®-nominated feature film producers Roast Beef. Nutopia has become synonymous with creating high quality content that stands out from the crowd, working with some of the most prominent global broadcasters including Netflix, CNN, National Geographic, the BBC, PBS and A+E Networks. Critical successes include the Emmy Award-winning series HOW WE GOT TO NOW; two seasons of ratings smash FINDING JESUS. FAITH. FACT. FORGERY; Emmy Award-winning series AMERICA THE STORY OF US and MANKIND THE STORY OF ALL OF US. Upcoming projects include CIVILISATIONS for the BBC and PBS, and BABIES for Netflix.

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Warner Bros. Pictures Passes $5 Billion in Worldwide Box Office for Second Time

Warner Bros. Pictures Surpasses $5 Billion at the Worldwide Box Office

For the First Time Ever, Five Releases Each Earned More Than $500 Million Worldwide

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures has crossed the $5 billion mark at the global box office this year—only the second time in its illustrious history that the Studio has crossed that tremendous milestone. It is also the eighth time in the last nine years that Warner Bros. has earned more than $4 billion in a single year, marking an industry record. The announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Additionally, setting a new Studio record in 2017, Warner Bros. had five of its feature film releases each take in more than $500 million worldwide (in order): Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ action adventure “Kong: Skull Island” (with Legendary Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures), starring Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson and John C. Reilly; Patty Jenkins’ action adventure “Wonder Woman,” starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine; Christopher Nolan’s sweeping epic “Dunkirk,” with an ensemble cast including Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy; New Line Cinema’s horror thriller “IT”; and, most recently, Zack Snyder’s “Justice League,” teaming Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Raymond Fisher, Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller, which stands at more than $574 million and still climbing.

The year’s highlights also include three more releases crossing $250 million worldwide: the animated feature “The LEGO® Batman Movie” (with LEGO System A/S); New Line’s horror thriller “Annabelle: Creation”; and Alcon Entertainment’s dramatic thriller “Blade Runner 2049” (with Sony Pictures).

In making the announcement, Kroll stated, “We are thrilled to reach this extraordinary benchmark as we come to the end of an amazing, record-setting year. Surpassing five billion dollars in a single year can only happen with an incredible level of hard work across all theatrical divisions, as well as the invaluable contributions of the many talented filmmakers and actors with whom we are so fortunate to collaborate. Congratulations to everyone who shares in this success.”

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 1st to 9th, 2017 - Update #38

Support Leroy on Patreon.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Bryan Singer's former lover talks about being "pulled into the director’s orbit of on-set visits, expensive private dinners, ready access to drugs and alcohol and sexual encounters with an ever-revolving cast of multiple participants."

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STAR TREK - From THR:  Sir Patrick Stewart said that he would return to his signature role, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, for a Quentin Tarantino-directed "Star Trek."

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SCANDAL - From ThePlaylist:  Director Bryan singer talks about being fired from "Bohemian Rhapsody" and being sued over rape allegations and more.

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STAR TREK - From Deadline:  The Quentin Tarantino-J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" movie will be R-rated.  Mark L. Smith ("The Revenant") is in the lead to be the writer.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Ryan Reynolds will star in the live-action Pokemon movie, "Detective Pikachu."

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MOVIES - From TheNewYorkTimes:  The paper names its best films of 2017

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CELEBRITY - From TheWrap:  Top 20 highest paid actors in Hollywood are...

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STREAMING - From ShadowandAct:  The Jordan Peele reboot of "The Twilight Zone" for CBS's streaming service, CBS All Access, is happening.  Simon Kinberg and Marco Ramirez will also produce the series.

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COMICS-FILM - From ThePlaylist:  Marvel Studios mastermind Kevin Feige is ready to play with the X-Men characters... if Disney/21st Century Fox deal goes through.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Dexter Fletcher, director of "Eddie the Eagle" will replace the fired Bryan Singer as the director of the Queen biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody."

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MOVIES - From Variety:  James Mangold ("Logan") to direct yet another film about Patty Hearst.

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  "Life, Itself," a film by "This is Us" creator, Dan Fogelman, lands at Amazon.

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BUISNESS - From CNBC:  Disney and Fox are closing in on a deal which would give Disney Fox's studio and television production assets, leaving Fox with its news and sports assets.  Fox's Nat Geo, Star, regional sports networks, movie studios and stakes in Sky and Hulu, among other properties may also be part of the potential $60 billion deal.  Fox would also hold onto its news and business news divisions, broadcast network and Fox sports.  Comcast is also a player interested in these Fox assets.  Sony and Verizon are also said to be interested.

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COMICS-FILM - From ScreenRant:  Is the "Demon Bear" the villain in Fox's X-Men spinoff flick, "The New Mutants."

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MOVIES - From BleedingCool:  Bryan Singer's production company,  Bad Hat Harry, is moving off the 20th Century Fox lot.  Singer's long-term, first look deal with Fox expired this past October, and Fox declined to renew it.

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LGBTQ - From TheDailyBeast:  Writer Ira Madison III discusses the much-talked about gay romance drama, "Call Me By Your Name," starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer.

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SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast:  Talk show host and actor Dustin Hoffman have a heated exchange over sexual misconduct allegations against Hoffman.

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STAR TREK - From THR:  Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams team up for a "Star Trek" movie.

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MOVIES - From ShadowandAct:  Misha Green, the creator of the late WGN America series, "Underground," is developing a remake of the 1973 blaxploitation film, "Cleopatra Jones."

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MOVIES - From ShadowandAct:  Michael B. Jordan's film, "Just Mercy," which is being compared to "To Kill a Mockingbird," is due November 2018.

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MOVIES - From THR:  20th Century Fox has fired Bryan Singer ("X-Men") as director of the Freddie Mercury (of the rock band Queen) biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody," because of his on-set behavior, including not showing up for work for over a week.

From BleedingCool:  Bryan Singer claps back on Fox firing him from "Bohemian Rhapsody."  He said that he was dealing with his own health issues and that of a parent.

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TELEVISION - From BleedingCool:  On Christmas Day, the BBC will broadcast the first episode of its six-episode adaptation of Neil Gamain's novel, "Anansi Boys."  Gaiman introduces the characters.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:   The winner of the 12/1 to 12/3/2017 weekend box office is Pixar's "Coco" with an estimated take of $26.1 million.

From THR:  Pixar's "Coco" repeats at weekend box office champion with an estimated haul of $26.1 million.

From Variety:  James Franco's "The Disaster Artist" tops specialty box office.

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SCANDAL - From Variety:  Oscar-winning Geoffrey Rush resigns as president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against him.

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MOVIE AWARDS - From Variety:  The Los Angeles Film Critics Association names "Call Me By Your Name" its best picture of 2017.  Guillermo del Toro and Luca Guadagnino.

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COMICS-STREAMING - From DenofGeek:  Here is a first look at Brenton Thwaites as "Robin," in "Titans," the TV series based on DC Comics' Teen Titans comic books.

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COMICS-FILM - From CinemaBlend:  Haley Atwell returns as "Agent Sharon Carter," in the the animated TV series, "Marvel's Avengers: Secret Wars."

From DenofGeek:  A schedule of upcoming "X-Men" franchise films to be released over the next few years.

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MOVIES - From WMagazine:  A superb Daniel Day-Lewis piece in which the actor talks about leaving acting after his upcoming film, "Phantom Thread."

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STREAMING - From TheWrap:  The "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" horror series is moving from The CW to Netflix.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Quentin Tarantino's upcoming so-called "Charles Manson movie" gets a release date, August 9, 2019, the 50th anniversary of Manson family cult members killing of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, the day after cult members killed actress Sharon Tate and four others.

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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  The "Masters of the Universe" movie is on again, this time with writer David S. Goyer as director.  You do know "Masters of the Universe," He-Man and all that?  [I find Goyer to be a mixed bag - good or ugly, and who really wants a frickin' "Masters of the Universe" movie. - Leroy]

COMICS-FILM - From TheRinger:  Marvel Studios has what everyone wants, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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CELEBRITY - From CNN:  Britain Prince Harry and his wife to be, African-American actress, Meghan Markle, undertook their first official event together, a "walkabout" in the English city of Nottingham.

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 MOVIE AWARDS - From TheWrap:  The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) names "Lady Bird" its "Best Picture of 2017."

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  First official teaser trailer for "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."

OBIT:

From THR:  The actor and singer, Jim Nabors, has died at the age of 87, November 30, 2017.  Nabors was best known for playing the character "Gomer Pyle" in two hit TV series.  Nabors appeared in Pyle in 23 episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and later in "Gomer Pyle, USMC" (1964-69).  Nabors also recorded almost 30 albums, with about six being certified gold or platinum. [Rest in peace. - Leroy.]

AfricanAncestry.com Helps NFL's Michael Bennett Find His African Roots

Michael Bennett Takes a Historic ‘Stand’ for His African Roots

Defensive Lineman Partners with AfricanAncestry.com to Discover African Roots in Sierra Leone, Senegal and Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) During A Time of Social Action

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From taking a knee, to community movements, people of color in America are finding ways to speak out and stand-up. Seattle Seahawks’ Pro Bowl defensive lineman Michael Bennett has turned to his African roots to better understand who he is by knowing where he’s from in Africa.

    Thanks @mosesbread72 for taking a stand for your roots with us. #Senegal #SierraLeone #BikoIsland #DoYouKnow?

AfricanAncestry.com, the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent, announces today that Bennett’s maternal ancestry traced to the Mandinka people of Senegal and the Mende people of Sierra Leone. His paternal ancestry traced to the Bubi people of Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea). He joins fellow athletes Trevor Pryce, Tina Thompson and Richard Dent with ancestral roots in Sierra Leone or Senegal.

“There’s an undercurrent of change on the rise in the Black community about a variety of things such as social injustice, blatant racism and cultural identity. It feels like a present-day version of the Black Power Movement,” said Dr. Gina Paige, president and co-founder of African Ancestry. “Bennett’s ancestral reveal is one of the most monumental we’ve done because of this time in our history and what he represents,” added Paige.

Known for his outspoken activism on and off the field, Bennett has long since supported connections to Africa, including his STEAM program with iamthecode.org for girls in Africa and the U.S.

“Thanks for changing my life,” signed Bennett on a special Seahawks jersey to Paige.

For more information on Michael Bennett’s ancestry, contact Nichole Taylor at taylor@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com and visit www.AfricanAncestry.com.


ABOUT AFRICAN ANCESTRY
Founded in 2003, African Ancestry Inc. (AfricanAncestry.com) pioneered African lineage matching in the United States utilizing its proprietary DNA-database to more accurately assess present-day countries of origin for people of African descent. African Ancestry’s products include the MatriClan™ and PatriClan™ ancestry tests and customized memorabilia and informative resources. African Ancestry is Black-owned and headquartered in Washington, DC. For media inquiries, contact taylor@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com.

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Ghostbusters' "Ecto-1" Now a Fine-Ass Toy From Blitzway

BLUEFIN ANNOUNCES PRE-ORDERS AND THE UPCOMING RETAIL RELEASE OF THE 1/6 SCALE GHOSTBUSTERS “ECTO-1” VEHICLE

Iconic Customized 1959 Ambulance Featured In Ghostbusters Arrives As An Incredible Screen Accurate Collectible Featuring A Functional Lighting System And Siren; Vehicle Can Fit All Four 1/6 Scale BLITZWAY Ghostbusters Action Figures

Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Asia and more, proudly delivers one of the biggest and most exciting Ghostbusters products ever issued as it announces the retail release of the ECTO-1 from BLITZWAY.

Pre-orders are available now from authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from a variety of leading online outlets. MSRP is $1390.00.

Scheduled for retail release in the First Quarter of 2019, the sizeable 1/6 scale ECTO-1 joins the family of unique, officially licensed Ghostbusters products available from BLITZWAY. The iconic car, a customized 1959 Cadillac ambulance, was featured in the blockbuster Ghostbusters movie. A myriad of precisely and exquisitely designed details on the exterior and interior make this item the pinnacle of any ardent fan’s Ghostbusters collection.

The ECTO-1 can accommodate BLITZWAY’s 1/6 scale poseable action figures of the Ghostbusters team of Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore. Figures are available individually or all-together in a special combo pack.

Additional product details follow below:

BLITZWAY Ghostbusters 1/6 Scale ECTO-1 · MSRP $1390.00
The world's best automobile recreation of the ECTO-1 measures more than 40 inches in length and sports an unbelievably high level of quality. The car is a likeness of the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance and features a screen-accurate roof rack and exterior structures along with a precisely detailed engine and underside. Realistically designed props include a fully functional lighting system with 45 individual LEDs along with a rotating illuminated light bar and an embedded digital audio player with siren! Custom audio play is enabled with both USB and Micro-SD plug-ins. The car features 5 fully functioning doors and an openable bonnet as well as interlocking, turntable front wheels and a working steering wheel. A removable stretcher is also included that can accommodate up to 4 Proton Packs.

Complement the ECTO-1 with BLITZWAY’s line of officially licensed, 1/6 scale Ghostbusters action figures. Figures are available individually and also as a special combo pack that includes added bonus items.

BLITZWAY Ghostbusters 1/6 Scale Figures · MSRP $225.00 each
"Who ya gonna call?” BLITZWAY is proud to present the legendary original Ghostbusters team in a series officially licensed 1/6 scale figures. Each figure offers a highly detailed head sculpt, screen accurate costumes, a fully articulated body, and various realistic accessories. These figures are the perfect realization of Bill Murray as Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Raymond Stantz, Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore, and Harold Ramis as Egon Spengler. Don't miss the opportunity to add these legendary characters to your collection!

BLITZWAY Ghostbusters 1/6 Scale Figures Special Combo Pack · MSRP $896.00
A special Ghostbusters Pack is also available containing all 4 figures - Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore - along with a special 1/6 scale Slimer figure with stand, a police barricade, and a "No Ghost" sign light.

Based in South Korea, BLITZWAY specializes in highly detailed and intricately sculpted 1/6 and 1/4 scale figures and statues of famous characters from pop culture, comics, TV and movies.


About Bluefin:
Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Bandai Shokugan, and Capcom, and is also an official provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products. Bluefin the exclusive and official distributor for Blitzway Studios, Flame Toys, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL, Storm Collectibles, and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

https://www.instagram.com/bluefinbrands/

https://www.facebook.com/BluefinBrands/

https://twitter.com/BluefinBrands

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClaqOdyh-gLzT27x9p-o0nw

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Official Selections from 2017 Sundance Film Festival Streaming on Amazon

Amazon Video Direct Announces Official Selections From The 2017 Sundance Film Festival Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

The 15 Sundance titles are the first feature-length festival films from the AVD’s Film Festival Stars Program to stream on Prime Video

Amazon Video Direct to extend Film Festival Stars—the program that brings high quality independent film to Prime Video audiences—to the 2018 Sundance Film Festival

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon announced the official selections from the 2017 Sundance Film Festival are now available on Amazon Prime Video. The collection of 15 films are made available through the Amazon Video Direct Film Festival Stars (FFS) program that is designed to establish an attractive distribution model for films screened at film festivals that either don’t secure theatrical distribution deals or are looking for distribution options after a theatrical release.

The official selections from the 2017 Sundance Film Festival currently streaming include Manifesto starring Cate Blanchett, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize winner Marjorie Prime, and Special Jury Award for Cinematic Vision, Free and Easy. These films enjoyed robust distribution strategies throughout the year, including award-winning festival and theatrical runs, and are now available in the U.S. with select titles available in additional territories.

    “We launched the Film Festival Stars Program at Sundance earlier this year because we heard from our customers they love watching independent films”

“Amazon Video Direct’s Film Festival Stars program accelerates the career of deserving films, elevating cinematic curation into a galvanic connection with audiences who might never have discovered them,” said Richard Lorber, President and CEO of Kino Lorber, Inc. “It’s an innovative strategy that allows specialty film distributors like us to amplify support for the worthiest films—not only with additional financial backing, but unparalleled outreach only an amazing entity like Amazon can provide. I don’t know what genius dreamed this up, but we at Kino Lorber are enthusiastically participating—proud to be populating the Film Festival Stars roster with many of our most important releases.”

“We launched the Film Festival Stars Program at Sundance earlier this year because we heard from our customers they love watching independent films,” said Eric Orme, Head of Amazon Video Direct. “So far in 2017, FFS has secured the streaming rights to 76 feature films that we’re confident will thrill and delight our customers. These films appear alongside other great festival films already available on the service, including Amazon Studios’ The Big Sick. We’ll be extending Film Festival Stars to the 2018 Sundance Film Festival with an emphasis on global distribution and enhanced bonuses for filmmakers, and look forward to seeing the great films we’ll be able to bring exclusively to Prime members.”

500 Years – available worldwide

From a historic genocide trial to the ousting of a president, director Pamela Yates tells the sweeping story of mounting resistance in Guatemala through the eyes of the majority indigenous Mayan population, who now stand poised to reimagine their society.

Axolotl Overkill – available in the U.S. and Canada

In Axolotl Overkill, 16-year-old Mifti is a beautiful and reckless young girl. Her mother is dead, and her wealthy, eccentric father is too self-absorbed to be responsible for her. Mifti has no use for peers her own age, and being aware of the sexual power she wields with her looks and youth, she immerses herself in a world of adults of questionable character. Lovesick over an elusive older woman, she strikes up a friendship with Ophelia, an actress, and together they test the limits through Berlin nightlife and extreme partying.

Don’t Swallow My Heart, Alligator Girl! – available in the U.S. and Canada

The film follows Joca, a 13-year-old Brazilian boy, and Basano La Tatuada, a Paraguayan indigenous girl, living on the border between the two countries, marked by the waters of the Rio Apa. Joca is in love with Basano and wants to do everything to win her love.

Family Life – available in the U.S.

In Family Life, a young man spends a few weeks housekeeping for a relatively distant relative and enjoys taking over the comfort of their lives in Santiago. Soon, he meets a cute neighbor and starts pretending for his personal benefit.

Free And Easy – Special Jury Award for Cinematic Vision – available in the U.S. and Canada

When a traveling soap salesman arrives in a desolate Chinese town, a crime occurs, and sets the strange residents against each other with tragicomic results.

Machines – Sundance Jury Award for Excellence in Cinematography – available in the U.S. and Canada

Director Rahul Jain presents an intimate, observantly portrayal of the rhythm of life and work in a gigantic textile factory in Gujarat, India. Moving through the corridors and bowels of the enormous and disorientating structure, the camera takes the viewer on a journey to a place of dehumanizing physical labor and intense hardship, provoking cause for thought about persistent pre-industrial working conditions and the huge divide between first world and developing countries.

Manifesto – available in the U.S. and Canada

In the film, Actress Cate Blanchett portrays 13 distinct characters in vignettes that incorporate timeless manifestos—among them a school teacher, a puppeteer, a newsreader, a factory worker and a homeless man. Director Julian Rosefeldt draws on the writings of Futurists, Dadaists, Supremacists, Situtationists, and other artist groups, and the musings of individual artists, architects, dancers and filmmakers to create Manifesto.

Marjorie Prime – Sundance Film Festival’s Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize – available in the U.S.

Set in the near future, Michael Almereyda’s sci-fi pic Marjorie Prime, is based on Jordan Harrison’s Pulitzer-nominated play exploring memory, identity, love and loss. 86-year-old Marjorie has a handsome new companion who looks like her deceased husband and is programmed to feed the story of her life back to her. What would we remember, and what would we forget, if given the chance?

Motherland – World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award – available in the U.S. and Canada

Motherland is set at one of the world’s largest and busiest maternity hospitals in the Philippines. Ramona S. Diaz’s film follows three women as they navigate through the severe conditions of giving birth there — from jam-packed delivery rooms to overflowing corridors where babies are misplaced and then found.

Plastic China – available worldwide

Plastic China captures a plaintive sense of the human casualties from unfettered global consumerism. The gently observed portrait of families toiling at a plastic recycling factory in Shandong builds into a damning commentary on a modern China marked by extreme divides in wealth and opportunity.

Pop Aye – World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for screenwriting – available in the U.S. and Canada

On a chance encounter, a disenchanted architect bumps into his long-lost elephant on the streets of Bangkok. Excited, he takes his elephant on a journey across Thailand, in search of the farm where they grew up together.

RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World – World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling – available in the U.S.

This powerful documentary about the role of Native Americans in contemporary music history features some of the greatest music stars of our time—Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, and Randy Castillo. The film exposes a critical missing chapter, revealing how indigenous musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives and, through their contributions, influenced popular culture.

Sueño en otro idioma (I Dream in Another Language) – World Dramatic Audience Award – available in the U.S. and Canada

When a language dies, a unique vision of the world is lost forever. In I Dream in Another Language, a linguist arrives in a small jungle settlement hoping to record a conversation between two elderly men, the last two remaining speakers of the Zikril language. Unfortunately for him, the men are feuding and haven't spoken to each other in 50 years.

The Good Postman – available in the U.S. and Canada

On the eastern edge of Bulgaria, bordering Turkey, amid wizened orchards and an ancient patchwork of farmlands, sits a poor and sleepy hamlet that time seems to have forgotten. Despite the sparse population of silver-haired citizens wistful for the brighter days of communism, democracy is in full force as the village prepares in earnest for its mayoral election. Meanwhile, an endless train of Syrian refugees bound for Europe silently traipses through the rural terrain, visible through the binoculars of one gentle and taciturn candidate, the good postman.

World Without End (No Reported Incidents) – available in the U.S.

Known for decades as a visual poet, filmmaker Jem Cohen has captured various corners of the world with a perceptive eye in World Without End (No Reported Incidents). Often filming by himself, Cohen takes a camera (16mm film, and more recently, video) and walks on the street like a modern-day Walker Evans, capturing images of people and landscapes in our smallest moments—everyday faces, vacant street corners, trinkets in windows, all the things we might see sitting on the bus and wish we could see again in a film.

Returning to the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the Amazon Video Direct Film Festival Stars program will emphasize global distribution, with enhanced bonus payments being paid for worldwide rights, as AVD aims to support overall Prime Video global growth.

Prime members will be able to stream the films exclusively via the Amazon Prime Video app for compatible TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, mobile devices, and online at www.amazon.com/primevideo.

Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed and self-published content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like The Grand Tour, The Tick, Landline, The Big Sick and kids series, Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at.
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•     Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR), X-Ray and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

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