Review: Steven Spielberg's "EMPIRE OF THE SUN"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 27 of 2023 (No. 1916) by Leroy Douresseaux

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Running time:  153 minutes (2 hours, 33 minutes)

MPAA – PG

DIRECTOR:  Steven Spielberg

WRITER:  Tom Stoppard (based on the novel by J.G. Ballard)

PRODUCERS:  Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, and Kathleen Kennedy

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Allen Daviau (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Michael Kahn

COMPOSER:  John Williams

Academy Award nominee

DRAMA

Starring:  Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano, Leslie Phillips, Masato Ibu, Emily Richard, Rupert Frazer, Peter Gale, Takataro Kataoka, and Ben Stiller

Empire of the Sun is a 1987 wartime drama and historical film directed by Steven Spielberg.  The film is based on the 1984 semi-autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun, from author J.G. Ballard (1930-2009).  Empire of the Sun the film focuses on a young English boy who is separated from his parents and then, struggles to survive the Japanese occupation of China during World War II

Empire of the Sun opens in 1941 in the “International Settlement,” an enclave of British and American citizens in Shanghai, China.  James “Jamie” Graham is the only child of an British upper middle class couple, John Graham (Rupert Frazer) and Mary Graham (Emily Richard).  Jamie enjoys a privileged life in the International Settlement, but he keeps an eye on the activities of the Japanese who have encroached on Shanghai.  After their attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese begin their occupation of the settlement.  During the family's bid to escape, Jamie is separated from his parents.

Eventually, Jamie is taken prisoner and moved into an internment camp.  He survives by befriending the American expatriate and hustler, Basie (John Malkovich), and also the kindly Englishman, Dr. Rawlins (Nigel Havers).  Now, called “Jim” by everyone, he establishes a successful trading network that keeps him with food and necessities.  As World War II drags on, however, Jim realizes that he no longer remembers what his parents look like.

Last year, I began watching and, in some cases, re-watching early Steven Spielberg films, such as Duel, Jaws, and 1941, in anticipation of Spielberg's autobiographical film, The Fabelmans, which was released in 2022.  The film has long since completed its theatrical run, but there remained Spielberg films I wanted to see.  I had been putting off watching Empire of the Sun for 36 years, and my best resource to see it, DVDNetflix, is closing soon.  So why not see Empire of the Sun now?

What can I say?  Empire of the Sun is not one of Spielberg's better films.  It does not really have a narrative center, and the plot is unfixed.  The film plays like a series of anecdotes – many, many, many anecdotes – played over a film that runs nearly two and a half hours long.  Some of the scenes have great emotional impact, such as Jim's reunion with his parents and even that last shot of the suitcase in the water.  Still, overall, the film lacks dramatic heft and emotion.  It's too cold and is disjointed.  Instead of feeling like a narrative that flows from beginning to end, Empire of the Sun feels like individual pages from a children's picture book.

If Empire of the Sun is a coming-of-age story and a boys' adventure tale, then, the film needs a great boy.  That is what actor Christian Bale is for this film.  All of 13-years-old when filming began, Bale carries Empire of the Sun with the tenacity and acting chops of an actor more than twice his age.  Bale embodies the emotional depth and dramatic depth that this film lacks as a whole.  None of the other actors' performances approach his, not because they are bad, but because neither Spielberg nor Tom Stoppard's script gives them the space and material.

Spielberg makes this film seem as if its true purpose is to be about a boy and his wartime adventures.  Thus, none of the Japanese elements really feel as if they have the force of an empire behind them.  Still, the focus on Jim Graham works because Christian Bale is the child emperor of Empire of the Sun.

6 of 10

B

★★★ out of 4 stars

Sunday, June 25, 2023

NOTES:

1988 Academy Awards, USA:  6 nominations:  “Best Cinematography” (Allen Daviau), “Best Art Direction-Set Decoration” (Norman Reynolds and Harry Cordwell), “Best Costume Design” (Bob Ringwood), “Best Sound” (Robert Knudson, Don Digirolamo, John Boyd, and Tony Dawe), “Best Film Editing” (Michael Kahn), and “Best Music, Original Score” (John Williams)

1989 BAFTA Awards:  3 wins: “Best Cinematography” (Allen Daviau), “Best Score” (John Williams), and “Best Sound” (Charles L. Campbell, Louis L. Edemann, Robert Knudson, and Tony Dawe); 3 nominations:  “Best Screenplay-Adapted” (Tom Stoppard), “Best Costume Design” (Bob Ringwood), and “Best Production Design” (Norman Reynolds)

1988 Golden Globes, USA  2 nominations: “Best Motion Picture – Drama” and “Best Original Score-Motion Picture” (John Williams)

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "AMSTERDAM" is a Movie That Follows the Right God Home

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 4 of 2023 (No. 1893) by Leroy Douresseaux

Amsterdam (2022)

Running time:  134 minutes (2 hours, 14 minutes)

MPA – R for brief violence and bloody images

WRITER/DIRECTOR:  David O. Russell

PRODUCERS:  David O. Russell, Christian Bale, Matthew Budman, Anthony Katagas, and Arnon Milchan

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Emmanuel Lubezki (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Jay Cassidy

COMPOSER:  Daniel Pemberton

DRAMA/COMEDY/HISTORICAL

Starring:  Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Timothy Olyphant, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Ed Begley, Jr., Beth Grant, and Robert De Niro

Amsterdam is a 2022 comedy, period drama, and historical film from writer-director David O. Russell.  The film is based on the 1933 United States political conspiracy “the Business Plot,” which involved a secret plan to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and to install a dictator in its place.  Amsterdam follows three friends who seek to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death and apparent murder of a retired U.S. general.

Amsterdam introduces Burt Berendsen M.D. (Christian Bale), a physician and surgeon.  In 1918, his estranged wife, Beatrice Vandenheuvel (Andrea Riseborough) and her parents, who don't really care for Burt because he is “half-Jew,” bully him into enlisting to fight in World War I.  While stationed in France, Burt befriends an African-American soldier, Harold Woodman (John David Washington).

Later, after being severely injured in battle, Burt and Harold are nursed back to health by Valerie Bandenberg (Margot Robbie), an eccentric American nurse and artist who makes art out of shrapnel removed from the soldiers.  Burt and Harold befriend Valerie and follow her to Amsterdam, the capitol of the Netherlands.  There, they live together and Harold and Valerie engage in a budding romance.  First, Burt returns to New York City to be with his wife, and then, Harold returns to begin his career as an attorney.

In 1933, Burt owns his own medical practice that caters to veterans of WWI, and he still remains friends with Harold.  Things begin to change for them when they discover that General Bill Meekins (Ed Begley, Jr.), who was important to Burt and Harold during the war, has died.  His daughter, Elizabeth Meekins (Taylor Swift), believes that her father was murdered.  Soon, Elizabeth herself is murdered, and Burt and Harold are blamed.  Seeking to clear themselves, they begin to investigate the mystery surrounding General Meekins before his death, which leads to their reunion with Valerie.  She had also returned to America and is living in seclusion with her wealthy brother, Tom Voze (Rami Malek) and his wife, Libby (Anya Taylor-Joy).

The three friends find themselves in a conspiracy involving another retired military officer, Marine Corps General Gil Dillenbeck (Robert De Niro).  And everything is heading for a showdown at an event that is very important to Burt, the 14th Annual New York Veterans Reunion Gala.

Yeah, dear readers, the synopsis of the film's plot is a bit longer than I would like it to be.  Although Amsterdam's narrative only runs a little under two hours and ten minutes, the film has enough subplots, characters, and settings to fill a television miniseries.  Actually, a miniseries version of Amsterdam with the same cast would be orgasmic – well, at least for me it would.

Anyway, most of you, dear readers, are familiar (to one extent or another) with the event known as the “January 6 United States Capitol attack.”  On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, a (mostly) white mob attacked the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The members of mob were comprised of supporters of then-President Donald Trump, and they were seeking to keep Trump in power by preventing a joint session of the U.S. Congress from counting the electoral college votes to formalize the victory of President-elect Joe Biden.

That event led journalists, historians, and writers to recall other insurrections and attempts to overthrow a democratically elected U.S. government.  The Business Plot is one of them.  It has also been referred to as “the Wall Street Putsch” because the people behind it were allegedly wealthy American businessmen.  They hoped to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt by creating a fascist organization comprised of World War I veterans that would be led by Marine Corp General Smedley Butler, a hero of WWI and a veteran of several military conflicts.  After this military led coup and overthrow of the government, the plotters would install Butler as a dictator.

Butler, upon whom Amsterdam's Gen. Dillenbeck is based, himself is the one who revealed the Business Plot.  At the time, some of the press considered the Business Plot to be hoax, although a congressional committee investigating the plot believed that it was discussed and at least partially planned.

Amsterdam is a film that is kind of like a fairy tale version the Business Plot with Burt (ostensibly the story's lead character), Harold, and Valerie as the gallant trio fighting the mysterious bad guys.  In this manner, the film is filled with conniving wizards (rich businessmen), evil knights (the killers of Gen. Meekins), and menagerie of oddball characters and creature-types, which is a good way to describe even Amsterdam's heroic trio.  As I said earlier, I think that the manner in which writer-director David O. Russell tells this story, it needs to be done in a longer form.

Still, one thing at which Russell really excels is in creating ensemble films featuring a cast that delivers stellar performances which in turn creates the most interesting cinematic characters.  He has done that with a large ensemble, as in the case of his highly-acclaimed 2013 film, American Hustle, and with an intimate small ensemble, such as in his Oscar-winning 2012 film, Silver Linings Playbook.

Christian Bale delivers another amazing performance as Burt Berendsen.  Margot Robbie is eccentric and delightful as Valerie, and John David Washington is dashing, bold, and stalwart as Harold.  Robbie and Washington have excellent chemistry and thus, are convincing as a couple.  Anya Taylor-Joy, beautiful and radiant as always, effortlessly slays in her turn as the vain and insecure attention-seeker, Libby Voze.  Of course, Robert De Niro, as Gen. Dillenbeck, turns up the heat in the film's most pivotal moments.

Rami Malek, Chris Rock, and Zoe Saldana also shine in key supporting roles, and Taylor Swift's quick spin as Bill Meekins' daughter, Elizabeth, gives the film an early jolt.  So the smaller roles help to make Amsterdam that much better as a top notch ensemble film.

In the film, the city of Amsterdam seems to represent a place where people can be their authentic selves while accepting that others must also be allowed to be their authentic selves, even if that might lead to clashes of personality and belief.  Amsterdam is not perfect, but it is lovable because of its idiosyncratic way, and that makes me look forward to the next large ensemble film from the inimitable David O. Russell.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Saturday, January 21, 2023

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER" is Full of Love and Thunder

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 42 of 2022 (No. 1854) by Leroy Douresseaux

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Running time:  119 minutes (1 hour, 59 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language, some suggestive material and partial nudity
DIRECTOR:  Taika Waititi
WRITERS: Taiki Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson; from a story by Taika Waititi (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Barry Idoine (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Peter S. Elliot, Tim Roche, Matthew Schmidt, and Jennifer Vecchiarello
COMPOSERS:  Michael Giacchino and Nami Melumad

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION and COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi (voice) Jaimie Alexander, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel (voice), Bradley Cooper (voice), Kieron L. Dyer, Idris Elba, Brett Goldstein, and Russell Crowe and Natalie Portman

Thor: Love and Thunder is a 2022 superhero fantasy and action-comedy directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.  It is the fourth film in Marvel's Thor film series, which began with Thor (2011).  Thor is a Marvel Comics character that first appeared in the comic book, Journey into Mystery #83 (cover dated: August 1962), and is based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name.  In Love and Thunder, Thor reunites with his ex-girlfriend to fight a being who plans to make the gods extinct.

Thor: Love and Thunder finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth), using his second enchanted hammer, “Stormbreaker,” is fighting the bad guys of the galaxy with the Guardians of the Galaxy:  Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), and Rocket (voice of Bradley Cooper).  Thor is at a crossroads in his life and is unsure of what to do next.

Back on Earth, Thor's ex-girlfriend, the astrophysicist Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), is battling stage four cancer.  Seeking medical treatment, Jane travels to New Asgard.  There, she has a strange encounter with Thor's broken hammer, Mjolnir.

Meanwhile, Thor has answered a distress signal from one of Asgard's warriors, Sif (Jaimie Alexander).  She warns him of Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a being who possesses the god-killing weapon, “the Necrosword.”  When Gorr attacks New Asgard, Thor returns to join the battle.  Much to his shock, he discovers that Mjolnir has reforged and bonded with Jane Foster, transforming her into another Thor.

Now, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), King of Asgard, and Korg (voice of Taika Waititi), the rocky Kronan warrior, join Thor and Thor on a journey to fight Gorr.  But are they enough to fight a being that has already killed many gods?

The last year's worth of Marvel Studios films, five including Thor: Love and Thunder, have been different, even offbeat, much to the chagrin of some critics and fans.  People complained that Marvel's films were too much alike, and now that the studio has given us five films that are quite different from the first 11 years of films, they still aren't happy.

Anyway, I want to make it clear that there is plenty of “thunder” in Thor: Love and Thunder.  Director Taika Waititi offers some action set pieces that are either unusual or have an unusual angle to them.  As Gorr, Christian Bale gives a multi-layered performance full of pathos, humor, and maniacal glee.  It is a seemingly effortless performance from one of the best actors of the last quarter-century.  So, this superhero movie has a great villain, one who can match both Thors and is genuinely vengeful, a vengeance grounded in love.

Still, Waititi wants Thor to be something really different.  The films trades in themes of love, death, and change.  Thor Odinson and Jane Foster-Thor are both in crisis.  The Odinson is having a sort of mid-life crisis.  If he is no longer the rascally young heir to the throne of Asgard or the Avenger's lightning, thunder, and muscle, then, what is he?  Jane Foster is facing an existential crisis; her cancer is really terminal.  Should she quietly accept her fate or should she go out with a bang and some thunder as Thor, fighting their enemy to death, if need be?

Thor: Love and Thunder is a perfect film for this time.  It chooses love over despair.  It is a post-breakup movie in which Thor and Jane Foster find their way back to one another.  Although death is an end, it can also mean change, and that is what can be in store for Thor and Thor and for King Valkyrie, Korg, and a few other characters.

I love what director Taika Waititi has created in his two Thor films, this and the earlier Thor: Ragnarok (2017).  Thor: Love and Thunder finds the humor in every situation, even the dark and dangerous ones, which might put off some of its audience.  However, I like that Thor: Love and Thunder is a film made of joy, color, and wonder that travels across the galaxy and into different realms.  But no matter where it goes, Thor: Love and Thunder full of thunderous sounds and furious love.

[This film as two scenes that occur during the credits, one in the middle and one at the end.]

8 of 10
A
★★★★ out of 4 stars

Friday, July 8, 2022


The text is copyright © 2022 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 April 10th to 16th, 2022 - Update #26

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman's production company, Playtone, has signed a multiyear development deal with Apple TV+.  The deal includes a sequel to Tom Hanks' 2020 World War II thriller, "Greyhound."

MOVIES - From NBC:  In the wake of multiple controversies, is the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise still magical, as the third installment, "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore."

MOVIES - From Variety:  Warner Bros. Discovery is planning an overhaul of DC Entertainment and they want "creative and strategic czar" similar to Kevin Feige at Marvel Studios.

MOVIES - From THR:  In a wide-ranging interview, Mads Mikkelsen, talks about the new "Fantastic Beasts" movie and replacing Johnny Depp and a little about "Indiana Jones 5."

STREAMING - From Variety:  Salma Hayek will replace Thandiwe Newton in HBO Max's "Magic Mike's Last Dance." Newton is reportedly stepping away in order to "deal with family issues."

FROM TheSun:  The UK newspaper "The Sun" is saying that Thandie/Thandiwe Newton is gone from "Magic Mike's Last Dance" because she got in a terrible "row" with producer/star Channing Tatum over the Will Smith/Chris Rock Oscars slap.

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CANNES - From Variety:  A completely unexpected David Lynch film will appear at 75th Cannes Film Festival (May 17th to 28th).  David Cronenberg's new film, "Crimes of the Future" will also screen at the festival.

From Deadline:  David Lynch says that he does not have a film for Cannes 2022, although he seems evasive as to whether he is currently working on a film.

DEPP V. HEARD - From LATimes:  The lawsuit explained:  Johnny Depp (58) is suing his ex-wife, Amber Heard (35), over a 2018 Washington Post piece she wrote that Depp believes falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser.  Heard is counter-suing Depp accusing his lawyers of defaming her.

From Deadline:  Oscar-nominee Johnny Depp's 50 million dollar defamation law suit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, has begun in Fairfax County Circuit Court, Virginia.

From PerezHilton:  Amber Heard lawyer says that Heard's ex, the Oscar-nominated actor, Johnny Depp, held her hostage in Australia for three days. This is one of many claims made in Depp's defamation law suit that has gone from 50 million dollars to 100 million.

From Deadline:  James Franco, "WandaVision" star Paul Bettany, Elon Musk, and representatives of the Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros, and the LAPD could end up in the court in Johnny Depp's defamation case against his former wife, Amber Heard.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard is in its first day and already there are allegations of sexual assualt.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Ferrell is the latest to join director Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" film for Warner Bros. and Mattel. Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Ryan Gosling (Ken) are the film's stars.

MOVIES - From THR:  Ayo Edebiri and former Super Bowl champion, Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks), have joined the Orion Pictures high school sex comedy, "Bottoms."

DISNEY+ - From THR:  Walker Scobell will take the role of "Percy Jackson" in the Disney+ series, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/8 to 4/10/2022 weekend box office is "Sonic The Hedgehog 2" with an estimated take of 71 million dollars.

From CNN:  "Sonic the Hedgehog 2's" 71-million dollar opening is the largest ever for a video game film adaptation at the North American box office.

MOVIES - From BleedingCool:  "Fast Saga" star Vin Diesel says that Marvel Cinematic Universe star, Brie Larson, has joined "Fast & Furious 10,"which is due in theaters, May 19, 2023.

MOVIES - From TheGate:  In an interview about the iconic film, "The Godfather," which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, actor Robert Duvall says that he thinks Christian Bale has been cast in Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film, "Megalopolis."

DWAYNE HASKINS:

From USAToday:  Dwayne Haskins, an NFL quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died after he was struck by a dump truck on Saturday morning, April 9th.  Haskins was 24 and would have made 25 in early May.

From SteelerWire:  Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool shares an emotional moment over the passing of his teammate, Dwayne Haskins.

From TheWrap:  Former NFL executive Gil Brandt said some really shitty things about Dwayne Haskins after he died. Now, the old bastard is apologizing...

OBITS:

From Variety:  Stand-up comedian, actor, and voice performer, Gilbert Gottfried, has died at the age of 67, Tuesday, April 12, 2022.  Gottfried is best known for his exaggerated loud, screeching, shrill and obnoxious voice.  His best known roles may be that of "Iago" the parrot in Disney's "Aladdin" films and animated television series and of "Degit LeBoid" on the PBS animated series, "Cyberchase."

From NBC:  Comedian Gilbert Gottfried died at the age of 67 of a rare genetic muscle disorder, "type II myotonic dystrophy," that is often overlooked.

From Deadline:  Gilbert Gottfried's comedy career - a photo gallery.

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From Deadline:  Veteran television actress, Liz Sheridan, has died at the age of 93, Sunday, April 10, 2022.  Sheridan was best known for her TV work, especially for playing Jerry Seinfeld's mother, "Helen Seinfeld" on the former NBC comedy, "Seinfield."  She was also the nosy neighbor, "Raquel Ochmonek" on the former NBC sitcom, "ALF."

From Deadline:  Actress Kathy Lamkin has died at the age of 74, Monday, April 4, 2022.  She was known for her scene-stealing turns in the Oscar-winning "No Country for Old Men" and the terrible 2003 remake, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and its sequel/prequel, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning."

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WILL SMITH/CHRIS ROCK/THE SLAP:

From Deadline:  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has banned recent Oscar-winner Will Smith from attending its programs and events - virtually or in-person - including the Academy Awards ceremony for a period of 10 years.  This is his punishment for bitch-slapping Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, Sun., March 27th.

From Variety:  Actor Harry Lennix comes off the porch to tell Will Smith that he should ... voluntarily give back his recent "Best Actor" Oscar in order to restore the awards honor ... saying this with a straight face.

From TMZ - Celebrities keep weighing in - Grammy Award-nominated rapper and recording artist, Fat Joe, says that Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy awards "makes minorities look bad."

From Variety:  Netflix has slowed its development of a Will Smith action-thriller, "Fast and Loose," in the wake of the Oscar slap.

From Variety:   Will Smith has announced that he is withdrawing his membership from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

From Variety:  Will Smith walks onstage at the 94th Academy Awards and slaps Chris Rock in the face for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

From Variety:  The Academy has said that Will Smith was asked to leave the 94th Academy Awards ceremony after slapping presenter Chris Rock, but he refused.  The Academy has started disciplinary proceedings against Smith.

From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Will Smith formally apologizes to comedian Chris Rock for slapping him during the 94th Academy Awards show.

From Variety:  Chris Rock says that he is "still kind of processing what happened."

From Variety:   "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe says that he is "dramatically bored" with hearing people's opinion about "THE SLAP."

From Variety:  Will Smith won the "Best Actor" Oscar for portraying the father of tennis stars, Venus and Serena Willaims, Richard Williams, in the biopic, "King Richard."  In regards to Smith slapping Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Academy Awards, Richard says, "We don't condone anyone hitting anyone else."

From Variety:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has confirmed that Chris Rock has declined to file a police report regarding Oscar-winner Will Smith slapping him during the 94th Academy Awards.

From THR:  The actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, calls Will Smith's slap of Chris Rock to be "unacceptable."

From People:  Of the Oscar slap, "Aquaman" Jason Momoa says that he is shocked that Will Smith slapped Chris Rock and that "There's a tipping point for everyone."

From Variety:  Celebrities react to the Oscar bitch slap heard around the world.

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Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama - 2020 - Update #110

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

Support Leroy on Patreon:

TRAILERS, TEASES, and TV SPOTS:

From Marvel:   A first look at Disney+ series, "Loki" (Thurs., Dec. 10th, 2020)

From Marvel:   A first look at "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" (Thurs., Dec. 10th, 2020)

From Marvel:   A first look at Marvel Studios' "What If ... ?" (Thurs., Dec. 10th, 2020)

From YouTube:  The official trailer for the Disney+ series, "WandaVision." (released, Sun., Sept. 20, 2020)

From YouTube:  The "final trailer" for "Black Widow" (released Mon., March 9, 2020).

From Newsarama:  This Disney+ Super Bowl TV spot focuses on the upcoming Marvel Studios TV series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "WandaVision," and "Loki."

From Newsarama:  Here is the 30-second TV spot for "Black Widow" that was shown during Super Bowl LIV (Sun., Feb. 2nd, 2020).

From EW:  Here is the special look at "Black Widow" shown during the "College Football Playoff" Championship game between LSU (winner) and Clemson (Mon., Jan. 13th, 2020).

From Marvel:  See first official teaser trailer for Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" (Tues., Ded. 3, 2019).
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NEWS:

FRANCHISE - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors suggest that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige wants most Marvel heroes to be women and people of color going forward.

WHAT IF...? - From YahooEntertainment:   Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has confirmed that the late actor, Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther") recorded a number of voice performances for Marvel's upcoming animated series, "What If...?"

DAREDEVIL - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors suggest that Marvel Studios will produce a "Daredevil" TV series in the vein of the one that streamed on Netflix - meaning it will be adult oriented.  Actor Charlie Cox, who played Matt Murdoch/Daredevil on the Netflix series, would return to the role.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER - From Marvel:  Oscar-winning actor, Christian Bale, is joining "Thor: Love and Thunder" as "Gorr the God Butcher."  The film is due May 6, 2022.

HAWKEYE - From Marvel:  Marvel Studios has announced that Oscar-nominated actress, Hailee Steinfeld, is joining the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye," as the character "Kate Bishop."

BLACK PANTHER 2 - From TheVerge:   Marvel Studios will not recast the role of T'Challa in the wake of the death of Chadwick Boseman who played T'Challa/Black Panther.  The sequel, "Black Panther 2," will begin shooting next year for a July 2022 release date.  It will focus on the other characters in the world of Wakanda.

FANTASTIC FOUR - From io9:   Marvel Studios makes it official and are rebooting the "Fantastic Four," with Jon Watts (Marvel's "Spider-Man" films) will direct.

CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 - From WeGotThisCovered:  According to an (alleged) Marvel Studios insider, actress Brie Larson is set to make a minimum of 15 million dollars for starring in "Captain Marvel 2."

SPIDER-MAN 3 - From MurphysMultiverse:   Reportedly, actor Charlie Cox, who played Matt Murdoch/Daredevil in Netflix/Marvel's "Daredevil" series will reprise the role in Sony/Marvel's third "Spider-Man" film.

SPIDER-MAN 3 - From Variety:   Actor Alfred Molina is apparently reprising his role as "Dr. Octopus" from "Spider-Man 2" (2004) for the third Sony/Marvel Studios "Spider-Man" film.

BLACK PANTHER - From BET:   To honor Chadwick Boseman, Disney has added new opening credits to the Disney+ streaming version of the Oscar-winning, 2018 film, "Black Panther."

BLACK PANTHER 2 - From THR:   "Black Panther 2" will begin shooting in July 2021, with the character "Shuri" (Black Panther's sister) having a larger role.  The actor Tenoch Huerta will reportedly play one of the film's villains.

DEADPOOL 3 - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios and Deadpool star, Ryan Reynolds, have chosen the Emmy-winning sisters, Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Loeglin ("Bob's Burgers"), to pen the script for "Deadpool 3."  The film is in early development and will be Marvel's first shot at the character since the Disney-Fox merger brought the character to Marvel.

WANDAVISION - From GamesRadar:   "WandaVision" is currently scheduled to hit Disney+ January 15, 2021.

WANDAVISION - From IndieWire:   "WandaVision" filmed in front of a live audience and director Matt Shakman and Marvel boss Kevin Feige even consulted classic sitcom actor, Dick Van Dyke ("The Dick Van Dyke Show") - in order to capture the feel of a TV situation comedy (sitcom).

SPIDER-MAN 3 - From TheWrap:   First set photo from the third Sony/Marvel "Spider Man" movie reveals Tom Holland wearing two masks.

MOON KNIGHT - From Deadline:  Oscar Isaac (Star Wars' "Poe Dameron") is reportedly in negotiations to play the title character in Disney+/Marvel Studios' "Moon Knight," based on the comic book character.

BLADE - From THR:   In this article about studios hiring "diverse voices" in their filmmaking process, there is some "Blade" news.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 -From Deadline:  Actress Xochitl Gomez ("The Baby-Sitters Club") will reportedly join Marvel Studios' sequel film, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

MARVEL SPIDER-MAN 3 - From THR:  Sources tell the news site that Benedict Cumberbatch will appear as "Doctor Strange" in Sony/Marvel's third "Spider-Man" film.

MARVEL SPIDER-MAN 3 - From THR:   Sources say that Jamie Foxx, who played "Electro," a villain in 2014's "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," is in negotiations to return as the character in the third Sony/Marvel Studios "Spider-Man" film.

MS. MARVEL - From Deadline:   According to sources, Marvel Studios has chosen newcomer Iman Vellani to play "Ms. Marvel"/"Kamala Kahn" in the "Ms. Marvel" Disney+ series.

NICK FURY - From Variety:  Sources have told the venerable Hollywood news site that Disney is developing a "Nick Fury" TV series with Samuel L. Jackson for Disney+.

WANDAVISION - From Deadline:   Disney+/Marvel's "WandaVision" trailer draws 53 million views online in the 24 hours afters its debut during the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards.

BLACK PANTHER - From Variety:   Disneyland unveils a "Black Panther" mural featuring the late actor Chadwick Boseman in its "Downtown Disney" shopping district.

SHE-HULK - From Deadline:  Sources tell the site that Tatiana Maslany ("Orphan Black") will star in Marvel's "She-Hulk" series for Disney+.

WANDAVISION - From ComicBook:  Apparently, Marvel Studios' "WandaVision" will make it to Disney+ this year.

ANT-MAN 3 - From Deadline:  Actor Jonathan Majors ("Lovecraft Country," "The Last Black Man in San Francisco") will play the super-villain "Kang the Conqueror" in the next "Ant-Man" movie... according to sources.

CHADWICK BOSEMAN - From Variety:  The actor Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43, Friday, August 27, 2020, after a four-year battle with cancel.  Boseman was best known for playing T'Challa/Black Panther in Marvel Studios' 2018, Oscar-winning, recording-setting film, "Black Panther."  Boseman also appeared in a number of biopics:  Jackie Robinson in "42" (2013); James Brown in "Get on Up" (2014), and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall" (2017).

From THR:   Disney Grapples With How to Proceed on "Black Panther" Without Chadwick Boseman

From BET:   Chadwick Boseman's "Black Panther" co-stars react to his passing.

From Variety:  What Chadwick Boseman's "Black Panther" legacy mean.

From YahooEntertainment:  The Future of ‘Black Panther': What Can Disney Do to Continue the Franchise.
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BLACK PANTHER 2 - From YahooEntertainment:  The delays in film production caused by COVID-19 might decide who will be the cinematographer on "Black Panther 2."

CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 - From Deadline:  The site reports that it is "hearing" that Nia DaCosta, who directed the new "Candyman" film that COVID-19 is keeping out of theaters, will be the director of Marvel Studio's sequel to its 2019 billion-dollar hit, "Captain Marvel."  Disney and Marvel Studios had no comment on that for Deadline.

HAWKEYE - From YahooEntertainment: Andy Park, director of visual development at Marvel Studios, shared artwork on Twitter from the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye," featuring the character, "Kate Bishop."

DOCTOR STRANGE - From MarvelEntertainment:  "Doctor Strange" star, Benedict Cumberbatch, wanders into a comic book store... dressed as Doctor Strange!

FUTURE - From Epicstream:  A rumor:  Marvel is considering Emmy-nominated actor, Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon of "The Mandalorian") to play the iconic Marvel Comics villain, Doctor Doom.

HELSTROM - From BleedingCool:  Cast and creatives of the new Hulu/Marvel Studios' series, "Hellstrom," talk about the show, which is due to debut October 16th, 2020.  There is also a new teaser trailer.

SPIDER-MAN - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures moves its sequel to "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (a co-production with Disney/Marvel) to December 17, 2021.

FALCON AND WINTER SOLDIER - From Variety:  Marvel Studios/Disney+'s "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will not make its August 2020 release date.  The production remains shutdown because of COVID-19.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From YahooEntertainment:  Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played "Karl Mordo" in the film, "Doctor Strange," says that Sam Raimi is perfect to direct the planned sequel.

ANTHONY MACKIE - From CinemaBlend:  Anthony Mackie ("Falcon") gives his honest (and blunt) assessment on Marvel Studios' lack of diversity.

ANTHONY MACKIE - From YahooEntertainment:  Twitter loves the interview MCU star, Anthony Mackie, gave when he appeared in "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," Thurs., June 11th.

WANDAVISION - From MurphysMultiverse:  Evan Peters, who played "Quicksilver" in Fox's "X-Men" movies signed on to play a mystery role in "WandaVision," and he has apparently already filmed his scenes.  Could he be playing Quicksilver again?

SPIDER-MAN - From EW:  J.K. Simmons says that he has signed on to reprise the role of "Spider-Man" character, "J. Jonah Jameson," hot-tempered editor of "The Daily Bugle."  When and where will he appear? Time will tell.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From THR:  While promoting his Apple+ miniseries, "Defending Jacob," Chris Evan stated that he initially kept saying "No!" to the part of Steve Rogers/Captain America.

OBIT - From Variety:  Leslie A. Pope, the set decorator for "Avengers: Endgame," has died at the age of 65, Wednesday, May 6, 2020.  Pope had received an Oscar nomination for her work on 2003's "Seabiscuit" ("Best Art Direction," which she shared with Jeannine Oppewall).

IRON MAN 2 - From YahooUK:  What went wrong with "Iron Man 2" (2010), Marvel Studios most troubled production?

FALCON-WINTER SOLDIER - From THR:  Sebastian Stan talks about his latest film, "Endings, Beginnings," and his role as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in Marvel Studios' "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From Variety:  "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" gets another release date change, March 25, 2022.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From ComingSoon:  Director Sam Raimi seems to officially confirm that he is directing the Marvel Studios film, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

THOR 4 - From Deadline:  Director Taika Waititi and star Tessa Thompson tease the upcoming "Thor" sequel, "Thor: Love & Thunder."

GUARDIAN GALAXY 3 - From GamesRadar:  Director James Gunn teases that "Rocket" is a big part of what happens next for the "Guardians of the Galaxy."

ANT-MAN 3 - From THR:  Writer Jeff Loveness has been hired to write a draft of "Ant-Man 3."  Loveness is known for being a writer and producer on Cartoon Network's popular "Rick and Morty" animated series.  Loveness has also written issues of Marvel Comics' "Groot" and "Nova" comic book series.  Peyton Reed, the director of the first two "Ant-Man" films, has been signed to return for the third film.

FUTURE - From Variety:  Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Walt Disney has changed the release dates of several of its films, including a big shift for all Marvel Studios films through 2022.

BLACK WIDOW - From FilmMusicReporter:  Lorne Balfe is composing music for the "Black Widow" film.  There isn't any word on the music already composed for the film by Oscar-winner Alexandre Desplat.

COVID-19 - From BusinessInsider:  In an opinion piece, the article says that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faces a big test as shifting movie release dates challenges its meticulous story planning.  The release of "Black Widow" has already been postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.

THOR: THE DARK WORLD - From IndieWire:  Director Patty Jenkins explains why she left "Thor: The Dark World."  [It wasn't a big loss - Ed.]

LOKI - From DiscussingFilm:  Actor Richard E. Grant, who recently appeared in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," has joined Disney+/Marvel Studios TV series, "Loki," in a secret role.

FALCON AND WINTER SOLDIER - From Deadline:  Shooting on Disney+'s "The Falcon & the Winter Soldier" in the city of Prague has shut down over coronavirus concerns.  The series is due to debut August 2020.

WHAT IF - From Variety:  Marvel Studios has picked the Quebec, Canada-based animation studio, "Squeeze," to create five episodes of its "What If...?" series.

BLACK WIDOW - From EW:  Scarlett Johansson talks about the "closure" of appearing in the standalone "Black Widow" film.  This article includes a video interview.

THOR 4 - From ETOnline:  Tessa Thompson ("Valkyrie") says that Christina Bale will play the villain in 2021's "Thor: Love & Thunder."

From CinemaBlend:  Vin Diesel says that the "Guardians of the Galaxy" will appear in "Thor: Love & Thunder."  Diesel voices the GotG character, "Groot."

FALCON AND WINTER SOLDIER - From Newsarama:  "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" star Anthony Mackie says the Disney+ shows are shot completely differently from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

HAWKEYE - From BleedingCool:  Jeremy Renner talks about working out for the Disney+ "Hawkeye" series.  This suggests that the rumors that the series was being cancelled or that Renner was being replaced are not true...

ETERNALS - From Newsarama:  Kumail Nanjiani says that the character he plays in Marvel's "The Eternals" is the "biggest Bollywood star."

SHE-HULK - From ComicBook:  Mark Ruffalo says that he has had some preliminary talks to reprise his role as Bruce Banner/Hulk in the planned Disney+ series, "She-Hulk."

FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER - From Deadline:  Actor Carl Lumbly ("Supergirl") has reportedly joined the cast of Disney+'s "The Falcon & the Winter Soldier."

ETERNALS - From NewNowNext:  Actor Haaz Sleiman says that he will be the husband of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first openly gay superhero in "The Eternals."  He says that the film will feature the first "gay kiss."

LOKI - From Variety:  The actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw has been cast in Disney+/Marvel Studios' "Loki."

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER - From Variety:  Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is reportedly joining recent Oscar winner, Taika Waititi, to writer "Thor: Love and Thunder."

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From Variety:   Sam Raimi is in talks to direct "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."  Raimi previously directed Sony's original "Spider-Man" trilogy.

FUTURE - From THR:  Including the upcoming "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "WandaVision," and "Loki," Disney CEO Bob Iger says that there are seven other Marvel TV series in various stages of development.

DISNEY+ - From Newsarama:  There are new synopses for Disney+/Marvel Studios' TV series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "WandaVision," and "Loki."

BLACK WIDOW - From Newsarama:  There are new character posters for "Black Widow," and a new story synopsis.

LOKI - From ComicBook:  Actor Owen Wilson has signed on for a major, but unknown role in Disney+/Marvel Studios' "Loki."

CAPTAIN MARVEL - From ShowbizCheatSheet:  Rumors suggest that "Captain Marvel" might lead two super-teams.

FALCON AND WINTER SOLDIER - From Deadline:  Actor Noah Mills (NBC's "The Enemy Within") is joining "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" in an unnamed role.

FALCON AND WINTER SOLDIER - From GamesRadar:  An alleged leaked photo from the set of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" Disney+ series may include a reference to the world of the "X-Men" comic books.

THE ETERNALS - From GamesRadar:  Leaked set photos from "The Eternals" shows what is supposed to be the character, "Ikaris," in flight.

CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 - From THR:  A sequel to the billion-dollar film, "Captain Marvel," is apparently in the works.  Megan McDonnell, writer of Disney+/Marvel's "WandaVision," is in talks to pen the script.

FUTURE - From GamesRadar:  Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Professor X in several of Fox's "X-Men" movies, says that he has he recently met with Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige, to "talk shop."  Stewart said that Professor X came up in the conversation, but also said that he is through with the character.

FALCON AND WINTER SOLIDER - From TheWrap:  Here is a first look at actor Wyatt Russell as "John Walker/U.S. Agent" in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

RED SKULL - From YahooMoviesUK:  Hugo Weaving said that he did not reprise his role as "the Red Skull" in "Avengers: Endgame" because Marvel was impossible to deal with.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From Newsarama:  The film industry site, "Backsgate," may have the synopsis for "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

BLACK WIDOW - From Newsarama:  There is a video "featurette" that delves into Black Widow's history.

ETERNALS - From Newsarama:  A new synopsis of Marvel's "The Eternals" reveals story details.  The film also ties into "Avengers: Endgame" and seems to borrow plot elements from Neil Gaiman's 2008 "Eternals" comic book series.

FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER - From Variety:  Production has been delayed on "Falcon & Winter Soldier" due to the Jan. 7th and Jan. 11th earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

KEVIN FEIGE - From ScreenRant:  Managing Marvel Comics may prove to be quite a challenge for Marvel Studios' boss, Kevin Feige.

SHANG-CHI - From Newsarama:  Who is Shang-Chi? And what are the "10 rings?"

NEW MUTANTS? - From Newsarama:  D23, the official Disney fan club, seems to think that, "The New Mutants," the X-Men film that Disney inherited after buying 20th Century Fox, is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  The MCU is comprised of films produced by Marvel Studios.

FRANCHISE - From YahooMovies:  Why you'll never see James Dean (or any other dead actor) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

DOCTOR STRANGE - From Deadline:   Director Scott Derrickson has left "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" due to "creative differences."  Derrickson directed the 2016 original film.

ABC - From Deadline:  The ABC Network is in talks with Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige about Marvel developing a new TV series for the network.  The net's long-running "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is coming to an end.

BLADE - From Newsarama:  Stephen Dorff played the villain, "Deacon Frost," in the original "Blade" film from 1998.  He said that he wouldn't mind reprising the role in the planned new Blade films starring his pal, Mahershala Ali."

THOR: LOVE & THUNDER - From THR:  Oscar-winner Christian Bale ("The Fighter) is in talks to join "Thor: Love & Thunder."

THOR: LOVE & THUNDER - From Gamespot:  Director Taika Watiti says that "Thor: Love & Thunder" is scheduled to begin shooting in Australia in August 2020.

SHANG-CHI - From THR:  Director Destin Daniel Cretton talks about moving from directing his current drama, "Just Mercy," to his next film, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

THE ETERNALS - From YahooEntertainment:   Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has revealed that Marvel's first transgender character will appear in "The Eternals," which is due November 2020.

WANDAVISION - From Newsarama:  Disney has moved the release date for the Disney+/Marvel Studios' series, "WandaVision" to 2020 from 2021.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From Collider:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige says that "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is not "exactly a horror movie," although it will have scary scenes.

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Click here for the 2019 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2018 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 6th to 12th, 2019 - Update #25

Support Leroy on Patreon:

MUSIC - From YahooEntertainment:  Led Zeppelin apparently is not going to reunite, even for the 50th anniversary of the release of their first LP.

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POLITICS - From Vox:  Tucker Carlson of FOX News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight" caused some turmoil on the political right with his populist opening monologue on Wed., Jan. 9, 2019 episode.

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MOVIES - From Variety: Two of the "Saw" screenwriters are writing a sixth installment of the "Final Destination" film franchise.

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MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The writers behind "Men in Black: International" will work on Sony's "Masters of the Universe" reboot.

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:  CBS's scripted drama, "Criminal Minds," will end after fifteen seasons.  That last season, 2019-2020, will run for ten episodes.  This current season, the series' fourteenth, will run for fifteen episodes.

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STREAMING - From THR:  Al Pacino set to join Jordan Peele's Nazi hunter drama from Amazon, "The Hunt."

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STREAMING - From Variety:  Netflix will have Martin Scorsese and Bob Dylan's "Rolling Thunder Revue" documentary this year.

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MOVIES - From AwardsWatch:  The controversy surrounding "Green Book" continues.  An anti-Muslim tweet from co-writer Nick Vallelonga has been discovered.  "Green Book" is based upon a real-life story concerning Nick's father.

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AWARDS - From Variety:  The nominations for the 2019 British Academy Awards, the BAFTAs, (for 2018 achievement in film, have been announced.

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OSCARS - From Variety:  Kevin Hart says he is over the idea of hosting the 2019 Oscars ceremony.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  HBO adds a director and eight new cast members to Jane Goodman and George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" prequel.

From TheWrap:  Bill Brochtrup and Kim Delaney, are two original stars added to a "NYPD Blue" sequel pilot that ABC is currently developing.

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STAR TREK - From Newsarama:  "Stat Trek 4," the follow up to "Star Trek Beyond" has been cancelled.

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COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Rumor suggests that there will be a sequel to Sony's hit, "Venom," with Venom (Tom Hardy) facing his spawn, Carnage (Woody Harrelson)>

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TELEVISION - From RollingStone:  ‘The Sopranos Sessions’ Goes Inside Groundbreaking HBO Show.

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BLM-CULTURE - From EI:  Angela Davis is the latest African-American target of the Israel lobby.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 1/4 to 1/6/2019 weekend box office is "Aquaman" with an estimated take of $30.7 million.  This is the film's third straight weekend at the top of the box office.

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GOLDEN GLOBES:  From Variety:  A complete list of winners at the 2019 / 76th Golden Globes.

From EW:  Christian Bale wins "best actor in a comedy or musical film" at the Golden Globes and thanks Satan for the inspiration in playing former Vice-President Dick Cheney.

From NBCNews:  "Roma" wins "best foreign-language film" at "Golden Globes.

From EW:  Regina King ("If Beale Street Could Talk") wins Golden Globe for "best supporting actress in a motion picture."  In her speech, she promises to produce gender-equal projects.

From People:  Mahershala Ali ("Green Book") wins the Golden Globe for "best supporting actor in a motion picture.

From THR:   FX's "The Americans" wins the Golden Globe for "best television series, drama."

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MOVIES-CULTURE - From CNBC:  Record number of black directors among 2018's top films, earning $1.6 billion at the box office

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MOVIES - From DenofGeek:  2019 movie trends and highlights: what to expect this year

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MUSIC-MOVIES - From Variety:  The top two best-selling albums of 2018 are soundtrack albums, "The Greatest Showman" and "A Star is Born."

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STREAMING - From NBCNews:  With the success of "Bird Box" and "Bandersnatch," Netflix is flexing its movie muscles.

Waypoint Entertainment Acquires Film Rights to Image Comics' "Plutona"

WAYPOINT ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES LEMIRE AND LENOX’S PLUTONA

Addictive Pictures to produce alongside Waypoint Entertainment under their first-look deal

LOS ANGELES — Waypoint Entertainment has acquired the rights to bestselling and award-winning author Jeff Lemire and illustrator Emi Lenox's comic series Plutona, a coming-of-age story which centers on a group of kids who find the body of a famous dead superhero in the woods. Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao (The Nice Guys), will produce with partner Dan Kao and Addictive Pictures' Russell Ackerman (Mama) and John Schoenfelder under their first-look deal.

Image Comics released Plutona, a five-issue limited series, on September 2015 to critical acclaim.

"Emi and I are extremely excited to be working with Waypoint Entertainment and Addictive Pictures to help bring our vision for Plutona to the big screen,” said Lemire. “Plutona has been a labor of love for us and we were very careful about finding a home for it, and we are thrilled that the team at Addictive and Waypoint share our passion for the story and for its potential as a film."

Lemire is the author of titles including the Essex County Trilogy, Sweet Tooth, The Nobody, and wrote a run of Animal Man. He is known for his moody, humanistic stories and sketchy, cinematic, black-and-white art and has worked extensively with DC and Marvel Comics. Lenox is perhaps best known for her diary comic Emitown, as well as having work featured in such critically-acclaimed series as Nowhere Men, Madman, Glory, and Sweet Tooth.

Lemire is represented by Angela Cheng Caplan of Cheng Caplan Company and attorney Allison Binder of Smelkinson, Genow, Stone, Binder & Christopher LLP.

Waypoint Entertainment recently acquired the rights to two Mark Millar properties, American Jesus and Supercrooks, which Ken Kao will produce with partner Dan Kao and Addictive Pictures. They are also in pre-production on the sci-fi thriller Tau, directed by Federico D’ Alessandro and starring Maika Monroe and Ed Skrein.

Waypoint Entertainment is a film and television development, production, and finance company with a slate that includes: Scott Cooper’s Hostiles starring Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike; Martin Zandvliet’s The Outsider starring Jared Leto; Shane Black’s detective thriller The Nice Guys starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling; Gus Van Sant’s The Sea of Trees starring Matthew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe, and Naomi Watts; and Terrence Malick's Weightless starring Ryan Gosling Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, and Rooney Mara.

Addictive Pictures is a film and television production company with a specialty in elevated genre films. Addictive is currently prepping Jeremy Saulnier's next film Hold the Dark for A24, and recently closed a deal for Deeper written by Max Landis starring Bradley Cooper at MGM.


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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Review: "Terminator Salvation" Remains a Fresh Take on the Franchise

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 3 (of 2009) by Leroy Douresseaux

Terminator Salvation (2009)
Running time: 130 minutes (2 hours, 10 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and language
DIRECTOR:  McG
WRITERS:  John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris
PRODUCERS:  Derek Anderson, Moritz Borman, Victor Kubicek, and Jeffrey Silver
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Shane Hurlbut (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Conrad Buff IV
COMPOSER:  Danny Elfman

SCI-FI/ACTION/WAR/THRILLER

Starring:  Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Helena Bonham Carter, Anton Yelchin, Jadagrace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, and Michael Ironside

Terminator Salvation is a 2009 post-apocalyptic science fiction film from director McG.  It is the fourth film in the Terminator film franchise.  The film is set in the year 2018, and focuses on a mysterious man who joins the resistance on the eve of an attack on Skynet, but whose side is he really on?

Seven years after the debut of The Terminator (1984), its sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day arrived in 1991.  It was another 12 years before the third film, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) debuted, but only six years later, the fourth film, Terminator Salvation arrives.  This shorter gestation period likely isn’t why Terminator Salvation is good enough to be considered the second best film in The Terminator franchise.

Terminator Salvation finally takes us into the world only hinted at in the other Terminator films – the post-apocalyptic future that finds the remnants of the human race fighting the all-powerful artificial intelligence, Skynet, and its army of man-killing Terminators.  John Connor (Christian Bale) is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and the Terminators.  It was his mother that Skynet marked for termination before she could give birth to John, so they sent a Terminator back in time to kill her (as seen in The Terminator).  In Judgment Day, Skynet sent a Terminator back in time to kill a 12-year-old John Connor.

This new film opens in 2018, and John Connor is not in charge of the Resistance.  Connor continues, however, to study his past, through his memories and through the tape recordings his late mother left, as he tries to determine what Skynet’s next move might be.  Then, Connor learns that Skynet has made a human civilian named Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin), their top priority for termination.  Reese is a man who is of utmost importance to Connor’s existence, so Connor prepares to launch a rescue mission even if General Ashdown (Michael Ironside) and the Resistance leadership are against it.

Then, Connor meets Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row in 2003.  It seems that Wright’s appearance has altered what John knew the future to be.  Connor and Marcus embark on an odyssey into Skynet central operations in the ruins of Los Angeles, where they discover the truth of Skynet’s diabolical plans.

Any moviegoers that are familiar with the internal mythology of The Terminator films can follow all the twists and turns of this time-bending film franchise… for the most part.  Are there inconsistencies between Terminator Salvation and the original film (let alone the others)?  Yes, there are, but director McG (the Charlie’s Angels films) takes the script for this film (which apparently had at least six writers, if not more) and makes one of those great summer movies that keeps your eyes glued to the screen and just keeps you awestruck with the awesomeness of its action and special effects.  It’s fanboy eye candy.

It’s easy for critics and snobby fans to dismiss McG (whose name is Joseph McGinty Nichol), but in the case of Terminator Salvation, he makes the best use of his actors, getting superb performances out of Bale, Worthington, Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, and Jadagrace.  Plus, McG squeezes the best from the visual effects, special effects, and stunt crews.  When a director harnesses this effort to maximum effect, he can make that kind of action flick that is the Art of the summer movie.

There are times when McG and company stumble over themselves in an effort to both connect Terminator Salvation to the original films (especially the first two) and to be respectful of the originals, somewhat to the detriment of this film.  However, McG has led his cast and creative staff to the promised land of the great action film, one so stuffed with edge-of-the-seat thrills and breathtaking visuals that it won’t soon be forgotten.

8 of 10
A

Sunday, May 31, 2009

EDITED:  Thursday, November 5, 2015


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

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New Poster for "The Big Short," Satrring Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling

THE BIG SHORT

In Theaters December 11, 2015

PARAMOUNT PICTURES and REGENCY ENTERPRISES Present
A PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT Production of
AN ADAM MCKAY Film
“THE BIG SHORT”
Executive Producers Louise Rosner-Meyer  Kevin Messick
Produced By Brad Pitt Dede Gardner Jeremy Kleiner Arnon Milchan
Based Upon the book by Michael Lewis
Screenplay By Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
Directed By Adam McKay

http//thebigshortmovie.com

When four outsiders saw what the big banks, media and government refused to, the global collapse of the economy, they had an idea: The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything. Based on the true story and best-selling book by Michael Lewis (The Blind Side, Moneyball),  and directed by Adam Mckay (Anchorman, Step Brothers) The Big Short stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt.

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"The Big Short" Teaser Poster Debuts

THE BIG SHORT
In Theaters December 11, 2015
The film will premier at the AFI Festival on November 12, 2015

PARAMOUNT PICTURES and REGENCY ENTERPRISES Present
A PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT Production of
AN ADAM MCKAY  Film
“THE BIG SHORT”
Executive Producers Louise Rosner-Meyer  Kevin Messick
Produced By Brad Pitt  Dede Gardner  Jeremy Kleiner  Arnon Milchan
Based Upon the book  by Michael Lewis
Screenplay By  Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
Directed By Adam McKay

When four outsiders saw what the big banks, media and government refused to, the global collapse of the economy, they had an idea:  The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything.    Based on the true story and best-selling book by Michael Lewis (The Blind Side, Moneyball),  and directed by Adam Mckay (Anchorman, Step Brothers) The Big Short stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt.

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Adam McKay's "The Big Short" Announces Cast Brad Pitt and Steve Carell

PARAMOUNT PICTURES, NEW REGENCY AND PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE BALE, CARELL, GOSLING AND PITT COMING ABOARD “THE BIG SHORT” FROM DIRECTOR ADAM MCKAY

PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN IN NEW ORLEANS

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Paramount Pictures, New Regency and Plan B Entertainment today announced casting for “THE BIG SHORT,” with Christian Bale (“AMERICAN HUSTLE,” “THE DARK KNIGHT” trilogy), Steve Carell (“FOXCATCHER”), Ryan Gosling (“DRIVE,” “CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE”) and Brad Pitt (“FURY,” “WORLD WAR Z”) coming aboard the project for director Adam McKay (the “ANCHORMAN” films, “THE OTHER GUYS”). The film also stars Melissa Leo (“THE FIGHTER,” “FROZEN RIVER”) and Marisa Tomei (“CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE,” “THE WRESTLER”).

The film’s screenplay is written by McKay, from a script by Charles Randolph (“LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS”), based on Michael Lewis’ bestselling non-fiction book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine.

“THE BIG SHORT” is the remarkable true story of the genius contrarian investors who, recognizing just how insane the housing bubble had become, figured out how to “short” the market prior to the financial collapse of 2008.

Rounding out the cast is Tracy Letts (“Homeland,” “ELVIS & NIXON”), Hamish Linklater (“The Newsroom,” “42”), John Magaro (“UNBROKEN,” “NOT FADE AWAY”), Byron Mann (“THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS,” “RISE OF THE LEGEND”), Rafe Spall (“LIFE OF PI,” “PROMETHEUS”), Jeremy Strong (“SELMA,” “ZERO DARK THIRTY”) and Finn Wittrock (“UNBROKEN,” “American Horror Story”).

The movie will be produced by Academy Award®-winners Pitt, Dede Gardner (“SELMA,” “12 YEARS A SLAVE”) and Jeremy Kleiner (“SELMA,” “12 YEARS A SLAVE”) via their Plan B Entertainment banner.

Production has begun in New Orleans.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About New Regency
Founded in 1991 by renowned producer Arnon Milchan, New Regency is actively engaged in entertaining the world.  The company has produced some of the most successful and critically-acclaimed films of all time with over 125 films and more than 50 television series in the company’s vast library, including 2014 Academy Award®-winning Best Picture, “12 Years A Slave.” New Regency is also dedicated to continuing to foster its unparalleled filmmaker relationships and today boasts partnerships with most acclaimed and sought-after creative forces in the industry.

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