Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 25th to 31st, 2021 - Update #22

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS: 

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:   Disney's "Jungle Cruise" looking to lead the weekend box office with an estimated 30+ million dollars grossed in its debut weekend.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Bryan Lourd, Scarlett Johansson's agent, harshly responds to The Walt Disney Company's response to Scarlett Johansson's breach of contract lawsuit against Disney over her compensation for "Black Widow."

From Deadline:  Women in Film, ReFrame and Time’s Up have weighed in, call out Disney for its response to Scarlett Johansson and her "Black Widow" lawsuit.

MOVIES - From Gizmodo:   The acclaimed science fiction novel, "Parable of the Sower," by the late Octavia Butler will be a film.  A24 has won the film rights.

DISNEY - From Deadline:   The Walt Disney Co. has fired back at Scarlett Johansson over her "Black Widow" lawsuit, which concerns her compensation and the streaming of "Black Widow" on Disney+.  Disney says that Johansson has already made 20 million dollars off the film...

TELEVISION - From Variety:  After 25 seasons, PBS is cancelling "Arthur."  It is the longest-running children's animated series in the history of American television.  The show will wrap up its last season in Winter 2022. 

MOVIES - From THR:  The site has an extensive interview with screenwriter, David S. Goyer ("Blade" and "Batman" films).

JAN. 6 RIOT - From YahooEntertainment:   This voice mail message left on the phone of a Washington D.C. police officer who testified yesterday (July 27th) at the House committee hearings investigating the Jan. 6th insurrection epitomizes much of "Trump base."

TELEVISION - From Variety:   With ratings for the 2021 Olympics on the decline, NBCUniversal and its advertisers are feeling anxious about "make goods" and other forms of reimbursement.

MOVIES - From Variety:   Universal is spending 400 million dollars on a new trilogy of films based on the legendary horror film, "The Exorcist."  Oscar-winning actress, Ellen Burstyn, will reprise her role as "Chris MacNeil" from the 1973 original film.  The first film in the trilogy will arrive in theaters in 2023, while the second and third films likely will debut on Universal's "Peacock" streaming platform.

TELEVISION - From Variety:   Actor Bob Odenkirk has been hospitalized after collapsing on the set of the AMC series, "Better Call Saul," which is currently filming its sixth and final season.

From YahooEntertainment:  Former "Batwoman" actress, Ruby Rose, had to return to the hospital recently due to surgical complications ... but she had trouble finding an ER that would take her.

CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Actress Lucy Liu talks about her infamous clash with actor Bill Murray on the set of "Charlie's Angels" (2000).

STAR TREK - From Space:   The first official trailer for the much-anticipated Nickelodeon and Paramount+ animated series, "Star Trek: Prodigy," arrives.  We hear Capt. Janeway's voice and get a release date, Fall 2021.

TELEVISION - From Variety:   LeVar Burton begins his stint as a “Jeopardy!” guest host today, Monday, July 26th.

BOX OFFICE - Variety:   The winner of the 7/23 to 7/25/2021 weekend box office is "Old" with an estimated gross of 16.5 million dollars.

From Deadline:  "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdaine" tops the specialty box office.

MUSIC - From Deadline:  The estate of the late singer, Grammy-winner James Brown, has been settled after nearly 15 years of legal battles.  The estate had been in dispute since Brown died Christmas Day 2006.

NETFLIX - From Variety:   The site has a huge piece on Kevin Smith, the development of Netflix's "Master of the Universe" animated series, and about online fan backlash against the series.

CELEBRITY - From YahooPeople:    Judge John Ouderkirk, the judge involved in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's ongoing custody case, will be disqualified after he was found to have "violated his ethical obligations," according to an opinion submitted by three appellate judges on Friday.

OBITS:

From NPR:   Civil rights activist, Robert Parris "Bob" Moses, has died at the age of 86, Sunday, July 25, 2021.  Moses was known for his work as a leader of the "Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee" (SNCC) on voter education and registration in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement.  He was also known for co-founding of the "Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party."  Moses was shot at and endured beatings and jail while leading Black voter registration drives in the American South during the 1960s.  He later helped improve minority education in math.

From Deadline:  The actor Mike Mitchell has died at the age of 65, Friday, July 23, 2021.  Mitchell was a former "Mr. Universe" and won several "World Fitness Federation World Championships."  He appeared in such films as "Braveheart" (1995) and "Gladiator" (2000).

TRAILERS:

From THR:  "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" drops a new trailer (July 27th) and has a release date, November 11th, 2021.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 19th to 25th, 2020 - Update #26

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Support Leroy on Patreon:

CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 NEWS - Hollywood and Beyond:

From YahooNews:  Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?

From YahooNews:  Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.

From Deadline:  The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.

From TheNewYorker:  The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.

From YahooNews:  Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?

From YahooNYT:  COVID-19 may have been spreading throughout the United States much earlier than originally thought.

From Truthout:  The US’s Failed Response to the Pandemic Is Rooted in Anti-Blackness.

From THR:  "Better Call Saul" actor Bob Odenkirk talks about his son, Nate's bout with COVID-19.

From Variety:  Saturday, April 18th's star-studded "One World: Together at Home" concert raised $127 million for health care workers and coronavirus relief.

From YahooEntertainment:  Actor Tom Hanks recalls he and wife, actress-producer Rita Wilson's struggle to recover from COVID-19.

From YahooMoney: (4/17) - American are applying for "Food Stamps" in droves.

COVID-19 OBITS:

From MSN:  Donald Reed Herring, the oldest of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren's three brothers, has died at the age of 86, Tuesday, April 21, 2020 of complications related to COVID-19.

From THR:  American cinematographer, Allen Daviau, has died at the age of 77, Wednesday, April 15, 2020, from complications of COVID-19.  He was a five-time Oscar-nominee for best cinematography - three for his work with Steven Spielberg ("E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "The Color Purple," and "Empire of the Sun") and two for his work with Barry Levinson ("Avalon" and "Bugsy").

From Billboard:  Celebrated jazz saxophonist, Lee Konitz, has died at the age of 92, Wednesday, April 15, 2020 from complications of COVID-19.  Konitz was known for his association with the "cool jazz movement" and for his participation with Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool" sessions.  In fact, Konitz was the last surviving performer of those sessions.

COVID-19 STIMULUS CHECK NEWS:

From YahooMoney:  What to know about the mailing of COVID-19 stimulus checks.

From YahooFinance:  (4/19) Here is why you aren't able to track your stimulus money.

From YahooNews:  Deceased people are getting stimulus check... and the heirs and spouses may be able to keep them.

From YahooNews:  This article updates information on COVID-19 stimulus checks, including the introduction of a web tool that will let people track their checks.

According to the Washington Post, here is the timetable for when the IRS will start issuing checks to those who will receive their checks by mail:

Taxpayers with income up to $10,000: April 24
Taxpayers with income up to $20,000: May 1
Taxpayers with income up to $40,000: May 15.

The article has information about mailing dates after May 15th.

REGULAR ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:

ANIMATION - From CartoonBrew:  The new series of Looney Tunes cartoon shorts that were originally announced back in 2018 will debut on HBO Max streaming service when it debuts on May 27th.  They are being packaged as 80 episodes of 11 minutes in length.  Each episode will by comprised of animated shorts of varying lengths.

From CartoonBrew:  This link will let you see one of the shorts, a Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd short entitled "Dynamite Dance."

STREAMING - From Variety:  Warner Media will launch its new streaming servie, "HBO Max," May 27th, 2020.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Warner Bros. has decided to release its upcoming theatrical animated feature film, "Scoob!," on VOD (video on demand) and premium digital ownership.  The film had been slated for a May 15th release in theaters.  The film details how Scooby-Doo and Shaggy first met and how they joined Fred, Daphne, and Velma to form "Mystery Inc."

MARVEL - From THR:  Marvel has terminated showrunner deals with Steve Lightfoot (Netflix/Marvel's "The Punisher") and Paul Zbyszewski ("Helstrom").

SEX - From BET:  Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish explains why she prefers men with small penises.

MOVIES - From GamesRadar:  Director Colin Trevorrow posts the first image from "Jurassic World: Dominion," the third film in the "Jurassic World" franchise.

MOVIES - From THR:  Lionsgate will begin work on a "Hunger Games" sequel film that will be based on the upcomig prequel novel, "The Battle of Songbirds and Snake" (May 19th).

STAR TREK - From Newsarama:  Actor LeVar Burton says that he is in talks to reprise his "Star Trek: The Next Generation" role of "Jordi La Forge" for season two of streamer, CBS All Access' "Star Trek: Picard."

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Netflix pays $20 million dollars for "The Starling," which stars Melissa McCarthy and is directed by Ted Melfi.

STREAMING - From Variety:  Apple may be about to make a $200 million+ risk on Martin Scorsese's next film, "Killers of the Flower Moon," which will star Leonard DiCaprio.

SPORTS - From Variety:  Jennifer Lopez and her fiance, former Major League Baseball great, Alex Rodriguez, may be working on a bid to buy the New York Mets baseball team.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Hot off "Harriet," Kasi Lemons will write and direct WWII drama, "The Shadow King."  It focuses on the women soldiers of Ethiopia who fought against a German invasion, but were left out of history.

OBITS:

From THR:   The film, TV, and stage actress, Shirley Knight, has died at the age of Wednesday, April 22, 2020.  She was a two-time best supporting actress Oscar nominee ("The Dark at the Top of the Stairs," and "Sweet Bird of Youth").  She was a three-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, and won a Tony Award for her performance in "Kennedy's Children."

From THR:  The actor, Tom Lester, has died at the age of 81, Monday, April 20, 2020.  Lester is best known for playing the lanky, wide-eyed, easygoing farmhand, Eb Dawson, on the CBS comedy series, "Green Acres" (1965 to 1971).  He was the last surviving regular cast member of the series.  

From Deadline:  The Indian/Bollywood actor, Ranjit Chowdhry, has died at the age of 64, Wednesday, April 15, 2020.  He crossed over into American films and television, beginning in the early 1990s.  He appeared in such American TV series as "The Office" (NBC) and "Prison Break" (Fox).  His most prominent American role was probably in the 2006 Queen Latifah film, "Last Holiday."

From Syfy:   The illustrator, animator, and comic book artist, Gene Deitch, has died at the age of 95, Thursday, April 16, 2020.  He directed the Oscar-winning animated short film, "Munro" (1960,) with the Oscar going to the film's producer.  In 1964, two animated short films Deitch directed earned Oscar nominations.  Deith may be best known for directing and creating the "Tom Terrific" cartoon shorts for the legendary children's TV series, "Captain Kangaroo" (CBS).  Gene's three sons are prominent figures in the Underground Comics movement, especially Kim Deitch.

Review: "Incredibles 2" Surpasses the Original

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 10 (of 2018) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Incredibles 2 (2018)
Running time: 118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes)
MPAA – PG for action sequences and some brief mild language
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Brad Bird
PRODUCERS: John Walker and Nicole Paradis Grindle
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Mahyar Abousaeedi (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Stephen Schaffer
COMPOSER: Michael Giacchino

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/COMEDY/FAMILY

Starring: (voices) Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine Keener, Eli Fucile, Bob Odenkirk, Phil LeMarr, Isabella Rossellini, Sophia Bush, John Ratzenberger, Adam Rodriguez, and Brad Bird

Incredibles 2 is a 2018 3D computer-animated film and superhero movie written and directed by Brad Bird.  Produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, Incredibles 2 is the direct sequel to Pixar's Oscar-winning, animated film, The Incredibles (2004).  Incredibles 2 finds the super-powered Parr family trying to balance normal life and having powers in a world where superhero activities are illegal, even as the world faces a dangerous new techno-villain.

Three months following Syndrome's defeat (as seen in The Incredibles), the Parr family continues to operate as superheroes.  Husband and father, Bob Parr, a.k.a. Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and wife and mother, Helen, a.k.a. Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) have been superheroes for a long time, even before being a superhero was outlawed.  Now, they are joined their daughter, Violet (Sarah Vowell), and their son, Dashiell, a.k.a. “Dash” (Huck Milner), who both have powers.  Even baby son, Jack-Jack Parr, tags along on adventures.  The Parrs are the superhero team, The Incredibles.

However, The Incredibles family friend and fellow superhero, Lucius Best/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), are unsuccessful in preventing the villain, Underminer, from robbing Metroville Bank.  The Incredibles and Frozone's battle with this villain causes massive damage to the city.  In the wake of this disaster, the “Super Relocation” program that allowed the Parrs to be superheroes is ended, and they are being forced to permanently live as ordinary citizens.

Frozone later informs Bob and Helen that Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk), a superhero fan and telecommunications tycoon, and his sister, Evelyn (Catherine Keener), an inventor, have a plan to make superheroes legal again.  That plan includes using their company, DEVTECH, to spearhead a public relations plan that will free superheroes.  But a mysterious new villain, “The Screenslaver,” may wreck everyone's plans.

I liked the original film, The Incredibles, but I did not really warm to it.  Of course, as a fan of superhero comic books, I was happy to finally get an animated superhero film from a major Hollywood studio (Pixar) that obviously had the kind of production budget that usually went to prestige, big tent, Hollywood live-action films.  I loved the characters, but I did not like that The Incredibles mostly focused on Mr. Incredible.

First, let me say this, writer-director Brad Bird's story for this sequel has shockingly predictable outcomes for its main plot and for some of the subplots.  While watching this film, it was painfully obvious to me what the central conspiracy was, even if I was unsure if the Incredibles were facing a single primary adversary or several until midway through the film.  But I don't give a crap about predictability.  I finally got the Incredibles film that I wanted fourteen years ago.

In Incredibles 2, Brad Bird takes the potential of all the Parr family, not just Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible, but he also takes the potential of Helen and the Parr children and shows how great a character each one can be or is.  Incredibles 2 is really about the Incredibles – all of them, and I am happy.  There is a bonus, Bird takes the story shackles off Frozone and allows the character to be not just a superhero, but a major superhero.  And with more screen time, Samuel L. Jackson shines like sunlight reflecting off a snow-covered peak in his voice performance as Frozone.

Holly Hunter, an exceptional actress, stretches out as Bird expands Elastigirl's role.  She is good and brings dramatic heft to this film.  Craig T. Nelson brings more to Bob Parr, and this time, he shockingly gives pathos to Mr. Incredible/Bob Parr, as he excavates the male ego in this father/husband/hero.  Plus, the advertisements and trailers for Incredibles 2 are not lying; baby Jack-Jack is a non-stop scene-stealer and a heart-stealer.

You would say “d'uh” if I expounded on the technical virtuosity and wizardry of Incredibles 2.  Pixar always seems to be raising its own bar in showing what computer software and hardware can do in creating animated films filled with complex movement, action, drama, and environments and spaces.  So I will focus on what I think is the best thing about Incredibles 2.  I finally got a movie about all the incredible characters in this franchise.

9 out of 10
A+

Saturday, June 16, 2018


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 1st to 10th, 2017 - Update #42

Support Leroy on Patreon.

ECO - From EcoWatch:  Leonardo DiCaprio teams with Mexican government to save the "vaquita porpoise," the most endangered marine mammal in the world.

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OBIT - From Variety:  The actor Adam West has died at the age of 88, Friday, June 9, 2017.  West was best known for his portrayal of Batman in the seminal 1960s ABC TV series, "Batman" (1966-68).  He also gave voice to the animated character, Mayor Adam West," in Fox's animated TV series, "Family Guy."

From YahooTV:  Burt Ward, who played Robin to West's Batman in the 1960s, and Julie Newmar, who played "Catwoman" on the series, are remembering their costar, Adam West.  Actor and producer, Seth Green, who worked with Adam West, on Family Guy and "Robot Chicken," also spoke fondly of West.

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OBIT - From Deadline:  The actress Glenne Headly has died at the age of 63, Thursday, June 8, 2017.  She was known for appearing in such films as "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "Dick Tracy."  She received an Emmy nomination for her performance in the miniseries, "Lonesome Dove."

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COMICS-FILM - From Twitter:  Marvel debuts poster for #BlackPanther movie.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  The talented Zhang Ziyi joins the third film in Legendary Pictures' "MonsterVerse" universe, "Godzilla: King of Monsters."  The first two were 2014's Godzilla and the recent "Kong: Skull Island."

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MOVIES - From Variety: Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures will distribute the Eli Roth-Bruce Willis remake of the film, "Death Wish," which is due in November.

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COMICS-FILM - From Fandango:  Connie Nielsen, who plays Wonder Woman's mama, Hippolyta, will also appear in this year's "Justice League."

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  It turns out that "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins is actually not signed to do a sequel to the film.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  FOX is cancelling "24: Legacy," but will explore future versions of the "24" franchise.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Director Ryan Cooger and actor Michael B. Jordan, who have collaborated on two films, "Fruitvale Station" and "Creed," will reunited on an education scandal movie, "Wrong Answer."  Jordan will also appear in Coogler's "Black Panther" for Marvel Studios.

ANIME - From TheReelWord:  Classic anime series, "Cowboy Bebop." is being adapted as a U.S. live-action TV series.

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MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  In addition to directing a sequel to her hit film, "Wonder Woman," Patty Jenkins is working on a horror project for the streaming service, Shudder.

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COMICS-FILM - From Deadline:  Henry Zaga joins "X-Men" spinoff, "New Mutants," as the mutant, Sunspot.

From FlickeringMyth:  Winston Duke will play the "Man-Ape" in Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War," both due in 2018.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Emmy winners Sarah Paulson and Bob Okenkirk join Steve Spielberg's "The Papers," about "the Pentagon Papers."

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CELEBRITY - From YahooCelebrity:  George Clooney and his wife, Amal, welcome twins, a girl and a boy.

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MUSIC - From YahooMusic:  Former Pink Floyd front man, Roger Waters, is in a feud with Radiohead's Thom Yorke over Israel and the BDS movement.

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POLITICS - From WashPost:  Most Trump voters were not working class.

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BLM - From TheHill:  Third noose found this week in Washington D.C.

From RSN:  Trump's proposed budget cuts attack civil rights enforcement.

From TheNation:  Even LeBron James cannot escape wave of toxic racist hate.

From TheNewRepublic:  Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, author of "Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation," had to cancel an event because of death threats.

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TELEVISION - From YahooSports:  Hank Williams, Jr. is returning to ESPN's "Monday Night Football" six years after getting fired.

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COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Did Patty Jenkins and her film, "Wonder Woman," save the DC Extended Universe film franchise?

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MOVIES - From Indiewire:  Terry Gilliam announces that he has finished "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote," after 17 years.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 6/2 to 6/4/2017 weekend box office is "Wonder Woman" with an estimated take of $100 million.

From YahooNews:  Wonder Woman sets the record for biggest opening weekend for a movie directed by a womna (Patty Jenkins).

From CBB:  Deejay Dayton reviews "Wonder Woman" at the ComicBookBin.

From YahooNews:  Lupita Nyong'o is passionate about "Wonder Woman."

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  Dan Aykroyd blames director Paul Feig for financial disaster that was the "Ghostbusters" reboot.

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ECO - From TheIndependentUK:  Leonardo DiCaprio responds to President Trump's decision to abandon the Paris climate agreement.

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MUSIC - From Deadline:  Ariana Grande's Manchester benefit concert to air live in over 50 countries.  At the end of her concert in Manchester England on May 22, 2017, there was a suicide bombing that killed 22 people.

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TELEVISION - From YahooTV:  Bill Maher uses the term "house nigger," and I don't have a problem with it - Leroy the Negro.

From People:  Bill Maher apologizes... of course, he did.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Tom Cruise reveals that the "Top Gun" sequel will be titled "Top Gun: Maverick."

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COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Blu Hunt will play the character "Danielle Moonstar" in X-Men spinoff, "New Mutants."

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TELEVISION - From ThePlaylist:  The final season of "Game of Thrones" may not debut until 2019.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  For nine season, Leah Remini co-starred with Kevin James on the CBS sitcom, "The King of Queens."  Now, Remini will reunite with James on Season 2 of his current CBS sitcom, "Kevin Can Wait," as a regular cast member.

From YahooTV:  Errin Hayes, who played the wife "Donna" on "Kevin Can Wait," has left the show, one day after it was announced that series star Kevin James would be reuniting with his "The King of Queens" costar, Leah Remini.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  The first trailer for "Murder on the Orient Express" (20th Century Fox)

From YouTube:  Trailer for Kate Winslet/Idris Elba film, "The Mountain Between Us (20th Century Fox).

Production Begins on Steven Spielberg's "The Papers"

Twentieth Century Fox & Amblin Entertainment Start Production on Steven Spielberg’s “THE PAPERS” Starring Meryl Streep & Tom Hanks

Ensemble cast also includes Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bradley Whitford and Zach Woods

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twentieth Century Fox and Amblin Entertainment’s riveting drama inspired by actual events, THE PAPERS, began principal photography in New York on Tuesday, May 30th, 2017. Academy Award winning director Steven Spielberg helms a powerhouse cast including Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in THE PAPERS.

In June 1971, The New York Times, the Washington Post and the nation’s major newspapers took a brave stand for freedom of speech and reported on the Pentagon Papers, the massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned four decades and four US Presidents. At the time, the Post’s Katherine Graham (Streep) was still finding her footing as the country’s first female newspaper publisher, and Ben Bradlee (Hanks), the paper’s volatile, driven editor, was trying to enhance the stature of the struggling, local paper. Together, the two formed an unlikely team, as they were forced to come together and make the bold decision to support The New York Times and fight the Nixon Administration’s unprecedented attempt to restrict the first amendment.

THE PAPERS marks the first time Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have collaborated on a project. In addition to directing, Spielberg will also produce along with Amy Pascal and Kristie Macosko Krieger. The script was written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer and features an acclaimed ensemble cast including Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bradley Whitford and Zach Woods.

An Amblin Entertainment production, THE PAPERS will be distributed domestically by Twentieth Century Fox and will be in select theaters December 22nd, 2017 going wide January 12th, 2018. Internationally, the film will be distributed through Amblin’s deals with Universal Studios, Reliance Entertainment, eOne and other international distribution partnerships.


About Twentieth Century Fox Film
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of the studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios.

About Amblin Entertainment
Amblin Entertainment is a production label of Amblin Partners, a content creation company formed by DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment, and Entertainment One (eOne). With additional investors including Alibaba Pictures and Universal Pictures, the company develops and produces films using the Amblin, DreamWorks Pictures and Participant banners and includes Amblin Television, a longtime leader in quality programming.

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Review: "The Spectacular Now" a Spectacular Love Story (Shailene Film Fest)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 52 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Spectacular Now (2013)
Running time:  95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)
MPAA – R for alcohol use, language and some sexuality - all involving teens
DIRECTOR:  James Ponsoldt
WRITERS:  Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (based on the novel by Tim Tharp)
PRODUCERS:  Michelle Krumm, Andrew Lauren, Shawn Levy, and Tom McNulty
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jess Hall (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Darrin Navarro
COMPOSER:  Rob Simonsen

DRAMA/ROMANCE

Starring:  Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Masam Holden, Dayo Okeniyi, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nicci Faires, Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead

The Spectacular Now is a 2013 drama and romantic film from director James Ponsoldt.  The film is based on the 2008 novel, The Spectacular Now, by Tim Tharp.  The film follows a hard-drinking high school senior whose life changes when he meets a nice girl, the kind he previously ignored.

Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) is a high school senior who likes to drink and party.  He is charming and self-possessed, and he lives in “the now.”  He is also a budding alcoholic.  After a night of drinking, he wakes up in someone's yard, and standing over him is Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley).  She is the nice girl who reads science fiction and manga (Japanese comics), and does not have a boyfriend.  Sutter and Aimee start dating, but while Aimee dreams of a future with him, Sutter is not sure what he wants, other than to live in the “spectacular now.”

Much of the attention about The Spectacular Now, when it was released last year, focused on rising star, Shailene Woodley.  And she is indeed spectacular here.  She is a natural talent, and she seems like a pure movie star.  Perhaps, the camera does indeed love her, but I am sure that my eye-camera loves her.  Woodley is sincere and refreshing and makes this film sincere and refreshing – different from so many other romantic teen dramas.

However, Miles Teller also gives an exceptional performance.  Sutter Keely has soul, and he makes The Spectacular Now a truly soulful film.  Sutter has substance; there is something inside him.  He is a three-dimensional character, fighting in conflicts and holding motivation, even when it seems as if he does not have any motivation.  Teller is also a rising star, and has been cast as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in 20th Century Fox's reboot of its Fantastic Four film franchise.  Teller doesn't necessarily look like a leading man, but he has the talent to take him to leading man status.

The Spectacular Now is a surprisingly good film, mainly because of its romantic leads, Teller and Woodley, but there are plenty of good supporting performances – actors that add to this film's wonderful sense of naturalism.  The always-good Kyle Chandler makes the most of his screen time in a small role as Sutter's absentee father.  Chandler is intense and coiled, as if he is ready to explode or to strike.  It isn't a showy performance; rather, it adds to this film's overall quality.  The Spectacular Now is... well, spectacular, but in a subdued and inviting manner.  In the history of American cinema, it will go down as an authentic teen movie.

8 of 10
A

Friday, November 7, 2014


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.